Electrical Safety at Work: What You Need to Know

Every year, accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Although not always fatal, electricity can kill or severely injure people, and cause damage to buildings from the effects of fires and explosions. Outside of work, faulty electrical equipment and sockets cause approximately 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries in UK homes every year. 

Electrical safety is essential to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. In this article, we cover what regulations there are to protect you, and how you can stay safe when working with electricity, including the personal protective equipment that you need. 

Electrical Safety at Work Regulations (1989)

The purpose of the Electrical Safety at Work Regulations is to ‘require precautions to be taken against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity in work activities.’ Duties are imposed on ‘duty holders’ in respect of systems, electrical equipment and conductors, and in respect of work activities on or near electrical equipment.

For employers and the self-employed, the law says you must take precautions against the risk of death or injury from electricity. Electrical equipment must be safe and maintained, and only in exceptional circumstances should work be carried out on live systems (and then only by a competent authorised person). Just over three in five (645) fatal injuries from direct exposure to electricity occurred while workers were engaged in constructing, repairing, or cleaning activities.

Refurbishment work, and work near electric overhead power lines and underground electrical cables pose the greatest risk, though everyone using or working with electricity is at risk of an accident if planning and precautions aren’t in place. 

According to the HSE, the main hazards are:

• contact with live parts causing shock and burns – normal mains voltage, 230 volts AC, can kill.
• faults which could cause fire.
• fire or explosion where electricity could be the source of ignition in a potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere.

Electrical Safe Work Practices

These are our top electrical safe work practises, to help you avoid electrical hazards and injuries.

1. Identify Electrical Hazards

Your health and safety risk assessment should take into account the risks associated with electricity, and the actions you need to take to use and maintain your equipment in a safe manner. 

Electrical hazards might include working outdoors or in wet conditions, working in cramped spaces with earthed metalwork, exposed wires, damaged electrical equipment and overloaded circuits. Once you have identified electrical hazards, it is essential to take the steps to address them.

2. Maintain Electrical Equipment

It is a legal requirement to inspect and maintain electrical equipment to ensure that it is in good working condition, and to prevent potential hazards such as electrocution or electrical fires. 

The type and frequency of user checks, inspections and testing needed will depend on the equipment, the environment in which it is used, and the results of previous checks. For some equipment, a simple visual inspection should suffice. This would involve looking for signs of wear and tear and debris and contaminants, and checking that electrical connections are secure and tightened. However, a regular maintenance schedule should be implemented. 

3. Follow Lockout/Tagout Procedures

Lockout/tagout procedures protect workers from injury while working on or near electrical circuits. This is crucial for preventing accidental energy release during maintenance and repair activities, so make sure you follow them at work.

An electrical lockout kit will provide the essential tools for electrical lockout tagout (LOTO). 

4. Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

In areas which might come into contact with water, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are designed to protect against electrical shock by monitoring the current and shutting off power if there is a ground fault. 

5. Avoid Overloading Circuits

Use appropriate-sized circuits for the equipment being used, and avoid the use of extension cords whenever possible.

Signs of an overloaded circuit include flickering lights, outlets that are hot to the touch, humming or buzzing sounds, smoke or a burning smell.

6. Train Employees 

Regular training for new and existing employees on electrical safety procedures are essential. This training should cover the nature of electric currents and its effects, the different types of electrical hazard, how to read and understand electrical diagrams and symbols, how to use and operate equipment, and how to wear and maintain their personal protective equipment. 

You should also implement emergency response procedures, which will cover what to do in the event of an electrical incident, including how to administer first aid and use fire extinguishers. 

7. Use Safety Signs 

Safety signs act as an important reminder for you and your employees in areas where electrical hazards exist. This might include “Danger: Electric Shock Risk” or electric hazard warning labels on equipment. 

PPE for Electrical Work 

The right personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to protect you, or your employees, when carrying out electrical work. This includes,

1. Gloves

Rubber insulating gloves and leather protectors are essential protection for the hands, shoulders and arms. These should be cut-resistant, so that the electrician can still feel and grip, but without the risk of puncture wounds. 

2. Safety Glasses & Shields 

Safety glasses and shields protect the eyes and face from arc flashes, dust, debris and flying or falling objects. Hard hats will also help to protect the head from falling objects or accidental contact with electrical equipment. 

3. Flame-Resistant Clothing 

Flame-resistant clothing can protect workers from arc flashes or other electrical fires. A hood also offers protection against arc flashes. 

4. Insulating Protective Equipment

As well as personal protective equipment, insulating protective equipment is also used to ‘provide protection when working in aerial buckets from contacting energised conductors.’ This might include insulating rubber hoses, insulating barriers, live-line tools (such as hotsticks) or line hoods. 

Working with or around electricity is hazardous, and poses a risk to workers

To ensure you protect yourself and your employees from harm, you should comply with Electrical Safety at Work Regulations (1989), conduct regular risk assessments, complete regular equipment checks and maintenance, use personal protective and insulating protective equipment when required, and schedule regular training sessions to refresh workplace knowledge on electric hazards and procedures. By following these guidelines, both workers and employers can reduce the risk of injuries and death.