Take Defective Equipment Out of Service
Defective equipment must be taken out of service promptly to prevent injuries, fires, or further damage to equipment. Examples of defective equipment include: damaged electrical cords, inoperable controls, missing panels or equipment guards, unusual noise, odors, overheating, smoke, or other signs of impending failure. Properly working equipment is defined in the Electrical Safety Manual section 6.3.5
PROCEDURE
- When safe to do so, de-energize equipment. This can include unplugging the electrical cord. If you are not sure if it is safe to touch, call x6999 to get help with barricading the area
- Complete a “CAUTION- DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT” tag. It must include the reason why the equipment has been marked as defective.
- Place the completed “CAUTION-DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT” tag on the point of isolation for the energy source. This can include tie wrapping the tag through the electrical prongs. For hardwired equipment the tag should be placed on the main control panel or other prominent position.
- Notify the Supervisor/Principal Investigator responsible for the equipment.
- For electrical repairs contact a Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW). They can be found at https://electricalsafety.lbl.gov/request-help/
- Once the equipment has been repaired and is made safe for normal use, the “CAUTION-DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT” tag may be removed.
Environment, Health & Safety