1. What is a Low Voltage Rescue Kit?
An LVR kit is a crucial safety toolkit designed to enable a trained safety observer to assist workers who suffer an electric shock from low-voltage (LV) electrical equipment—typically up to 1,000 V AC or 1,500 V DC. Its goal is to allow a rescuer to act quickly and safely, using insulated tools to separate the victim from live parts and apply first aid without becoming another casualty.
2. Key Components – What’s Inside?
Contents vary slightly by provider, but essential components include:
- Insulated gloves (Class 0 ) – Size 11, marked “Rescue Use Only.”
- Rescue crook or hook – Fully insulated and rated (often up to 15 kV).
- “Isolate Here in Emergency” signage – To hang at the isolation point.
- Fire blanket – AS/NZS 3504 compliant, used to extinguish flames.
- Trauma or burns dressings – Often multi-trauma or burn-specific.
- Torch – Non-conductive and battery-powered for visibility.
- First aid booklet– For immediate response guidance.
- High-visibility, weatherproof bag – Often doubles as a water bucket
Some kits add thermal blankets, resuscitation masks, or additional burn dressings as extras.
3. Regulatory & Training Requirements
- Australian Compliance – LVR kits generally adhere to AS 4836 (safe work on low-voltage equipment), AS/NZS IEC 60903 (insulated gloves), and AS/NZS 3504 (fire blanket) where relevant.
- Standards Gaps – There is no specific Australian Standard for rescue kits as a whole. The minimum requirement for contents in a kit has been determined and set by major energy utilities and this is reinforced in training by LVR/CPR educators.
- Training – Operators must be trained. The most commonly used nationally recognised unit is UETDRRF004 – Perform Rescue From a Live LV Panel, covering risk assessment, equipment use, and CPR integration.
4. Maintaining Compliance & Testing Requirements
Prior to use of an LV Rescue Kit, conduct a visual and mechanical check to ensure all items are present and are in good working order:
- Air test on Insulated Gloves
- Battery and bulb check on torch
- Visual check of all other items listed in the contents.
To remain compliant with Australian Standards, State Legislation, and or best practice. Your LVR kit must be complete, functional, and tested by a certified body.
Certified Testing & Replacement Guide
- Insulated Gloves (Class 0) – Electrical test every 6 months; replace if damaged or failed.
- Insulated Hook/Crook – Inspect every 6 months for cracks/damage; replace if damaged.
- Fire Blanket – Inspect every 6 months, replace if damaged.
Burns/Trauma Dressing – Inspect every 6 months, replace when expired, damaged or opened. - Torch – Inspect every 6 months, replace torch and or batteries as needed.
- Signage – Inspect every 6 months and replace if faded, damaged, or illegible.
- First Aid Booklet – Inspect every 6 months and replace if updated guidelines are released or the booklet is damaged.
- Kit Bag – Inspect every 6 months replace if damaged or cannot be sealed/closed securely.
5. Why Every Site Needs One—The Safety Case
- Time-critical rescues – Electric shocks can cause involuntary muscle locking, arrhythmias, or breathing failure. Every second matters.
- Worker fatalities – Over the past decade, around 44 electricians died from traumatic injuries, with many due to electrocution — roughly 9 deaths annually in Australia. ®
6. Conclusion & Key Points
A compliant LVR kit should be:
- Fully equipped, maintained, tested & certified.
- Accessible within minutes.
- Used only by trained personnel.
Volt Safety supplies Low Voltage Rescue Kits for workplaces across Australia.
References:
https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/profile/whs-profile-electricians?utm_source=chatgpt.com