Shocking electrical survey results
The survey revealed that 25% of electricians rarely or never use a lockout kit to isolate the electrical supply they're working on.
The survey also revealed that 1 in 10 electricians and installers don’t carry a lockout kit. Even though it’s cheap and small enough to be part of your everyday tool kit. And it could save your life.
Why is this the case? 32% of electricians believe the industry has a problem with safe isolation. And judging from those statistics, we have to agree.
A lockout kit could save your life
According to RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) there were 9 work-related deaths (6 employees and 3 self-employed) and 155 non-fatal injuries caused by electricity or electrical discharge between 2021 and 2022.
Although this is better than 2020-2021, when 13 deaths and 228 non-fatal injuries were recorded, it still shows the dangers of electrical work when safety precautions are neglected.
Using a lockout kit could be the difference between going home safely at the end of the day and never going home again. So doesn’t it make sense to always have one to hand and to use it?
Is where you work a factor?
While 70% of industrial installers said they would definitely use a lockout kit, only 30% of domestic installers said the same. This shows a huge contrast in attitudes toward safe isolation practices.
Electricity doesn’t behave differently in homes, businesses and industrial sites, so why do some installers act differently in these settings?
Why do some electricians fail to use a lockout kit?
We know some electricians aren't using lockout kits, even when you have them. The survey dug into why, and some of these reasons might sound familiar:
Working alone - 32% said working alone makes it tricky to follow full lockout procedures. Remember: just because you're alone doesn't mean you're immune to accidents. In fact, it might be even more crucial to lock out when there's no one around to help.
Verbal communication - 17% prefer to have a chat with other on-site workers instead of using a lockout kit. But tradies forget things when they’re focused on getting their job done. So why not do both? Use the kit AND have a chat. Belt and braces, as they say.
"It's just a quick job!" - 10% reckon they’ll only be working for a minute or two, so why bother? Electricity doesn't care if you're there for two minutes or two hours. It only takes a split second for things to go wrong.
"It’s too much hassle." - 5% think lockout kits are just too much trouble to use. It takes less than five minutes to test a circuit and set up a lockout kit. That’s five minutes that could save a trip to A&E… or worse.
The importance of safety training and practice
On a more positive note, 60% of electricians reported they had received a toolbox talk on safe isolation within the last two years - up from 56% in 2022.
Always make safety a priority and save lives
At CEF, we believe that every electrician deserves to return home to their loved ones at the end of the day.
We will continue to promote and encourage safe working, through our TechTalk events, trade shows, on our social media channels and in branches too. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help to make a real difference.
Change the culture
We’ve heard that there may be a bit of a stigma about using a lockout kit or asking someone else on-site to use one.
Whether you’re a time-served tradie or a fresh-faced apprentice here are some simple steps you can take right now:
Experienced electricians
Make sure you always carry and use a lockout kit
Insist that apprentices and newly qualified teammates use one too
Get them to show you how they do it. And show other trades on-site too
New electricians
Make sure a lockout kit is part of your tool kit or insist that your employer provides one for you
Always use it to isolate any electrical supply you're working on
Next time you're tempted to skip the lockout kit, remember these stats. Remember the risks. And most importantly, remember that a life is worth more than a few saved seconds or a bit of hassle.
Join us in putting safety first and let's make using a lockout kit as natural as putting your boots on in the morning.