Another Death in the Home

[westie101]

Reports on our system on a death whilst trying to move a washing machine this morning. Further looking at it also reports a flood in the property as well.

Looks like the machine flooded and the incident occured whilst trying to move it without switching power off first.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

That's why I leave the laundry to the missus!

 

[Iggifer]

Poor taste!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Poor taste!

What? allowing the missus to do the laundry?

 

[JohnW2]

Poor taste!

What? allowing the missus to do the laundry?

If it were so that she, rather than you, would die ... then maybe poor taste!

Kind Regards, John

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Simply better at the laundry than me, if there is a chance of electrocution, she has been instructed to isolate. Where I may not!

If some poor sod decides to manhandle a laundry appliance, without isolating it, bugger all I can do about it!

Only today I was called out on a job were an electrical problem had occurred on a macerator pumping a washing machine. Do you know what the first thing I did was?

 

[JohnW2]

Only today I was called out on a job were an electrical problem had occurred on a macerator pumping a washing machine. Do you know what the first thing I did was?

I know what the first thing you should have done was ... probably even more important than usual (if such is possible), since the hazards in that case aren't necessarily all electrical!

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

We have done insurance work after severe fire/floods, theres been reports of people getting shocks of brick walls on entry, even before getting near the mains to isolate the property.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Do you know what the first thing I did was?

Rifled the wallet of the poor b****r who was lying there zapped?

 

[ericmark]

Many years ago I got two RCD's with the intention of when I got time fitting them. This was around 1992 and like many they sat there waiting for me to get around to fitting them.

My father-in-law said to me should my children get injured I would never forgive myself for not fitting them so that weekend the went in.

Since they have been fitted my son became a radio ham and tripped them quite a few times and my daughters boy friend who was into building computers also tripped them a few times and even I have tripped them.

As to if they saved lives is any one guess as I have survived belts where there was no RCD protection.

However although I have had RCD protection for more than 20 years my father-in-law who pushed me into fitting them still has no RCD protection in his house not even on the lawn mower supply.

My son has fitted them to his own house and both his sisters houses and although not on all circuits there are around 5 RCD's in my mothers house.

When you hear of these deaths it is a wake up call to get RCD's fitted. OK they don't stop you getting a shock but they do reduce the chances and also limit the length of time you get the shock for.

The problem is it seems officials always want to blame a tradesman. You read reports of how there were sparks yet they still went to turn of the water first. Usually the report has something in it where one says to ones self why didn't they turn off the power.

I think although it seems obvious to us clearly it is not obvious to ordinary people. I was really surprised in an "A" level Physics class how many students managed to blow the fuse in the multi meter.

It seems there is a general lack of education when I went to school it was up to the teacher but today we have a national curriculum and it would seem general heath and safety is not included. All schools are worried about is exam results.

There are adverts on TV to show the dangers of level crossings, drink driving and many other health and safety issues but very little on electricity. At least not in the home.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

 

[RF Lighting]

This is the very reason I think readily accessible isolators for kitchen appliances are so important.

People are very reliant on electricity these days, and to them the inconvenience of loosing a whole circuit or even the whole installation as suggested by someone on here as a way to isolate a faulty appliance is too great vs the perceived risk of keeping the appliance energised.

Whether joe public has the presence of mind to actually use the individual isolators is a different matter, but it is at the very least the most likely way to encourage them to isolate.

 

[JohnW2]

This is the very reason I think readily accessible isolators for kitchen appliances are so important. ... Whether joe public has the presence of mind to actually use the individual isolators is a different matter, but it is at the very least the most likely way to encourage them to isolate.

That is certainly an argument. It also illustrates why always say that, IMO, if one does have such isolators, they should not be too close to the item they isolate. If the person we're talking about died as a result of touching the washing machine, then they might also have died if they had had to lean over, or get near to, the machine in order to operate the isolator.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ericmark]

Consumer units are not ascetically pleasing. My mother has a consumer unit in the kitchen for just the kitchen but that was because the house needs a re-wire and also in a wheel chair she can't reach the one under the stairs. In her case it is placed next to the outside door so you can isolate as leaving but this is unusual.

We place consumer units in some really inaccessible and daft places. Mine is in the garage so if it trips in middle of night I have to get dressed to reset it. Mothers is under the stairs so if it does over heat and cause a fire the main exit is useless.

Sons is by the door but so high up you need steps to reach it.

How many houses do you have to move items to reach the consumer unit or even the main stop cock. Again my stop cock is in the garage right at the back and I have cut a hole in a cupboard so I can reach it.

But the point is it really required? If the property is to BS7671:2008 then one would hope this could not happen. If not then clearly down to the owner and no amount of regulations can protect against some one not complying with regulations.

It's like when they lower the speed limit because it's a black spot. But people involved in the accidents were not obeying the speed limit anyway so how does a lower speed limit help.

I think the chance of anyone dying due to an electrical fault in a property wired to BS7671:2008 are very slim. And until we know if the property was compliant then considering ways to stop a repeat is rather pointless.

 

[bernardgreen]

That's why I leave the laundry to the missus!

Because only she has the sense to turn OFF the power before moving the machine.......