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September/October Issue 63 - Flipbook - Page 18


NEWS
NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER: PROSOL UK - RECOVERY OPERATOR SAFETY
KIT FOR HV ELECTRIC & HYBRID VEHICLES
With the potential dangers
that High Voltage Electric and
Hybrid vehicles can pose to all
recovery operators, Prosol UK
have utilised their experience in
this field to produce a dedicated
safety kit.
Supplied in a convenient high vis’
holdall with everything you need
to ensure safe working procedures
as recommended by IMI training
and H.S.E. standards.
As Andy Coulton, M.D. of Prosol
UK, stated: “Understandably there
is a lot of confusion regarding
how this type of vehicle should
be approached”. He went on to
say, “With the high DC voltages
involved it is essential that recovery
operators are protected and well
informed as to how these vehicles
can be made safe…. Just 110VDC
can be fatal.”
Bear in mind that many current
EV’s use batteries with an output of
up to 650VDC and newer models
as high as 1,000VDC.
Andy continued: “We have been
developing our product range in
the EHV (Electric & Hybrid Vehicle)
sector for over 4 years now, having
worked closely with industry
training and safety professionals to
gain a thorough understanding of
the risks and working procedures
required. Based on this knowledge
I can confidently say that Prosol
UK only supply what you need.”
Andy explained to us the reasons
for each item in their HV Electric &
Hybrid Vehicle Recovery Operator
Safety Kit:
• Face Shield with Electric Arc
Visor: To protect your face and
eyes from electric arcs.
• Electrical Safety Glove Kit:
Contains dielectric gloves to
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Class0 standards to prevent
electrocution and Over-Gloves
to protect from thermal arc
and prevent damage to the
dielectric gloves. Also contains
cotton under-gloves to improve
comfort and dexterity.
Electrically Insulating Dielectric
Over-Boots:
To
prevent
electrocution if exposed to high
voltage.
No Voltage Present Detector:
Gives you the ability to prove
that the vehicle is safe.
Insulating Shrouds for 12V Aux
Battery: By disconnecting the
12V Aux Battery Earth Cable
this will open the HV relays,
which effectively isolates the
main power battery.
Once
disconnected the Earth cable
should be protected with a
shroud to prevent accidental
contact during transport.
Battery Terminal Disconnect
Spanners: Flexi-Head Combi’
Spanners (10,11 &12mm), the
most popular sizes and type
for disconnecting the 12V Aux’
Battery Earth terminal.
First Aid Kit for Burns including
H.F. Gel: To treat thermal arc
burns, also contains a skin
contact antidote to Hydrofluoric
Acid which can be generated if
a Lithium battery is damaged
and electrolyte leaks combines
with water.
EHV
Warning/Prohibition
Warning Signs x 3: To alert
others of potential dangers.
Hazard Warning PVC Barrier
Tape:
To alert others of
potential hazards.
High Vis’ Holdall:
Easily
recognised
and
keeps
everything to hand.
Andy also commented “Whilst the
Safety Kit gives you the relevant
products you need to protect
yourself and employees on a call
out you will also need a Vehicle
Quarantine Area if you have a
storage compound for recovered
vehicles. It is important that EHV’s
are clearly identified and isolated
during storage, Prosol’s solution
for this is simple, cost effective, and
follows the recommendations of
vehicle manufacturers standards.”
He explained how the following
products will fulfil this obligation:
• Damaged Electric Vehicle
Quarantine Area Sign: A high
visibility sign to warn of dangers.
Printed on a 600 x 400 x 3mm
Aluminium Composite Panel
and laminated.
• Vehicle
Isolation
Covers:
Stored or damaged EHV’s
should be covered to prevent
metallic or conductive dust
from causing electrical short
circuits.
• Battery Spill Containment Tray
– 60 Lt capacity: Spill trays
should be deployed under EHV
batteries to prevent electrolyte
escaping
into
absorbent
surfaces including tarmac.
In closing, Andy felt it important to
highlight the necessity for training.
“If you, or your employees are
exposed to the potential dangers
of EHV’s, recognised training
is a must. For those who are
involved with making vehicles
safe (isolating the HV battery), the
minimum training qualification is
IMI Level 2 – and if working on the
high voltage system, IMI Level 3.”
Further details on Prosol UK’s
range of EHV Safety Products can
be found at their excellent website
www.prosol.co.uk or by contacting
them on: Tel +44 (0)114 255 7700
and Email: sales@prosol.co.uk.