Electricity can kill or severely injure people and/or cause damage to property. There are simple precautions that can protect you, your workers and keep others safe.
What are the Hazards?
- Electric shock/burn – after contact with live parts – incorrectly wiring a plug can lead to the user suffering a heart attack (possibly fatal). Or, receiving an electric shock on a ladder could cause a worker to fall, resulting in injury (broken bones) or even a fatality
- Arcing – electricity jumping or crossing from one circuit to another
- Fire – due to faulty electrical equipment/installations – an overheating plug could lead to a fire, AND the site does not even need to be open for this to occur
- Explosion – caused by unsuitable electrical apparatus or static electricity igniting flammable vapours or dusts, i.e., in a spray-paint booth
What to do – Risk Assess
Look to the premises and all activities conducted within or on it, and determine through risk assessment any hazards that arise due to the use of electricity. The assessment should explain:
- What activity is being conducted
- The type of electrical equipment used, the way in which it will be used, and the environment it is used in
- Who could be harmed, and the likely level of harm
- How the level of risk has been established
- The precautions taken to control those risks
- Whether anything else needs to be done between now and the next review
- When the assessment will next be reviewed
Everyday Electrical Safety – What You Need to Know
We don’t often think about the cables, plugs, and sockets we use every day, but they play a big role in keeping us safe.
Here are a few simple things to keep in mind:
Quick Checks Make a Big Difference
Before using any equipment, take a moment to check:
- Is the plug or connector damaged?
- Is the cable loose, taped up, or showing wires?
- Are there any burn marks or signs of overheating?
If anything looks off, don’t use it! Report it or remove it from service.
Repairs? Leave it to the Experts
Only someone with the right skills and experience (a competent person) should carry out electrical repairs. It’s not worth the risk!
Some Equipment Needs More Love
Items that get moved around a lot (like laptops, portable tools, or anything used in dusty or damp areas) should be checked more often. If your laptop travels between home and work, it’s considered portable and needs regular checks. If it stays put like a desktop, less frequent checks are fine.
PAT Testing – When and Why?
Depending on how the equipment is used, you might want to schedule formal inspections or testing. There’s no fixed rule. It’s up to each business to decide, based on risk and usage. The HSE guide on portable electrical equipment is a great resource if you’re unsure.
Don’t Forget Fixed Wiring – EIC Inspections
Things like sockets, light switches, and wired-in equipment (e.g. cookers or air conditioners) should be inspected periodically by a qualified electrician to prevent deterioration.
What Does “Competent” Mean?
For general electrical work, someone who’s completed an apprenticeship and has hands-on experience is usually considered competent. More complex tasks may need extra training.
Electrical Safety Essentials
Use the Right Equipment for the Right Environment
Make sure all electrical cables, plugs, and fittings are tough enough for the space they’re in. If you’re working in damp or wet areas, the equipment needs to be rated for those conditions; it’s all about keeping you, your tools, and your surroundings safe.
Keep Things Secure
Fuses, circuit-breakers, and other protective devices should always be correctly rated for the circuits they protect. Don’t forget! Isolators and fuse boxes should stay closed and, ideally, locked to prevent accidental access.
Emergency Shut-Offs Matter
If you use machinery, you should have an easy-to-reach emergency switch or isolator. If an isolator is used, it should have a lock-off feature to make sure it can’t be turned back on until it’s safe to do so.
Staying Safet Around Electrical Infrastructure
Overhead Electric Lines
Be mindful of the risks when working close to or underneath overhead electric lines. Electricity can arc even without direct contact. Don’t work under them when equipment (i.e., ladders, a crane jib, a tipper-lorry body or a scaffold pole) could come within 6 metres of a power line without getting advice from the line owner, i.e., the electricity company, railway company or tram operator, before any work begins.
Underground Cables
Always assume there will be underground cables when digging in the street, pavement and/or near buildings. Consult local electricity companies and service plans to identify where cables are located.
Simple Reminders That Make a Big Difference
Let’s face it, electrical safety isn’t the most exciting topic, but it’s one of the most important. Whether you’re plugging in a laptop or using power tools, a few quick checks can help keep everyone safe.
Here’s a handy list to keep in mind:
- Know how to use your equipment
- Make sure everyone’s confident using electrical tools and appliances properly.
- If it looks dodgy, don’t use it
- Damaged plugs, frayed cables, or burn marks? Stop using it and get it checked by someone qualified.
- Use enough sockets
- Avoid overloading outlets or using unfused adaptors. It’s not worth the risk.
- Watch those cables
- Trailing wires can cause trips. Keep them tidy and out of walkways.
- Unplug before cleaning
- Always switch off and unplug appliances before cleaning or adjusting them.
- Look before you work
- Check for wires, cables, or warning signs near your work area — especially if drilling into walls, floors, or ceilings.
- Bringing your own equipment?
- Make sure it’s safe to use and kept in good condition.
- Working outdoors or in damp areas?
- Use an RCD (residual current device) for extra protection.
Stay safe, stay switched on!
Ultimately, a few simple habits can go a long way in preventing serious incidents. If something seems off, don’t ignore it, raise it or have it checked. Prioritising safety is always the right call. If this alert has raised questions or you need to discuss any other Health & Safety-related issue, please do not hesitate to contact us.