AUTUmN/WiNTER 2010 ISSUE 20 (PDF) - Energy Safe Victoria

12www.energysafe.vic.gov.auAnother warning on thedangers of deterioratingmetallic split conduitsESV is again warning property ownersand non-electrical tradespeople of thedangers of deteriorating electricalmetallic split conduits which can befound in many older properties acrossthe State.The dangers have been exposed again withthe electrocution earlier this year of a 92-yearoldman whose body was found in the roofof a property at Hamlyn Heights near Geelong.As reported in the last issue of energysafe,ESV investigators found a number of damagedVulcanised India Rubber (VIR) cables in splitconduits and exposed defective connectionsin the roof.It is the fourth recorded instance of electrocutionin Victoria in recent years involving contact with“live” split conduits. Other incidents:> > In 1995, a floor stumper or reblocker died aftercontacting a section of conduit which wasnot earthed while the insulation of the cablesenclosed in the conduit had deteriorated tosuch an extent that it was “live”;> > In 2000, a person installing a security alarmcontacted a “live” conduit when working inthe ceiling space of a commercial premises;> > In early 2007, another reblocker waselectrocuted working at a house in Hawthorn.He was working in the subfloor area whena metal tool he was using contacted a metalconduit that was live. Tests showed that theconduit was “live” at voltages that variedfrom 90 to 100 volts AC to earth.Due to age and possible modifications over theyears, some split conduits have simply lost theirearthing continuity and become “live”.The deaths raise serious questions about thecondition of aged conduits still existing inmany properties and what can be done toget them replaced.ESV warns a whole range of tradespeople –such as plumbers, gasfitters, building workers,air conditioning and security alarm installers,reblockers and home renovators – to beextremely cautious if and when they encounterthese conduits. The advice:> > Stay well clear of split conduits at leastuntil they have been checked by a licensedelectrician and declared safe;> > Arrange for a suitably qualified person –a licensed electrician or a licensed electricalinspector – to carry out tests on suchconduits to ensure they are not “live”before work starts; and,A shot of the metallic split conduit inthe roof of the house at Hamlyn Heights.> > Only registered electrical contractors can beengaged to check that split conduits are safe.As reported in the last issue ESV is alsoconcerned that young electricians andapprentices may not have been exposed sofar in their careers to split conduits and thatthe fact they could be “live” following yearsof deterioration.The electrical trade is urged to encourageowners to re-wire their properties if the splitconduits are showing any signs of deterioration.At the very least they should be urged to installsafety switches as a stop gap measure until there-wiring can take place.energysafeSUMMER/AUTUMN 2007 ISSUE 7A publication brought to you by Energy Safe VictoriaELECTRICALSPLIT CONDUITS –a danger for manytradespeopleSee page 3PP352583/00578ESV.Issue#7.FA.indd 1BEWARE!Page 4ESV’s warningon hot air balloonsPages 5, 22, 23ESV’s “Look Up And Live”campaignPage 16Electricity aids growthof new coralTHE MAGAZINE COVERINGELECTRICITY AND GAS SAFETYPage 17Campaign to recruit morewomen to the electricalindustryPage 6, 29, 30, 31Gas technical articlesCourtesy of Energy Safe Victoria. Copyright © 2006.23/2/07 2:37:57 PMThe front cover of Issue 7 showing a deterioratedconduit involved in the death of a reblocker in 2007.HIGHACCESSHIGH ACCESS HIRE• Cherry Pickers• Electric Scissor Lifts• Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts• Boom Lifts• Arrow & VMS Boards• Short & Long Term Rental• 24/7 Service for allEmergenciesDIY OR CALL OUR ELECTRICIANSTO GET THE JOB DONE FOR YOUALL SUBURBS7 DAYS A WEEKHIGH ACCESS CABLING• Car Park & Street Lighting• Factory Lighting• Sports Ground Lighting• CCTV• “No Go Zone” Permits• Traffic Management• Free QuotesCall (03) 9850 5111REC 16801Call (03) 9850 1174HAH magnets.indd 123/4/09 5:55:20 PM