Electrical safety

Every workplace is likely to have an electrical supply whether this is just for lighting or to power major pieces of plant such as an air conditioning system. However, it must be remembered that electricity can be lethal and must be used at all times with great care.

1. Whilst the safety of the wiring can be routinely and effectively checked and certified by a competent electrician, at least every 5 years, there are many matters relating to the system in general which can be considered by the employer to ensure its safety.
   
   
   
2. In case of emergency e.g. electrical fire, it is necessary for staff to be able to turn off the electrical supply. In order to do this, they must know where the main switch is situated. For the larger premises there are likely to be many switches and these must be clearly labelled so that all systems need to be turned off if this would post a hazard e.g. turning off emergency lighting in the case of an electrical fire in the main lighting circuit.
   
   
   
3. As part of the routine inspection of the workplace by the employer or his manager, it must be ensured that the plugs are wired so that the outer insulation sheath of the cable is secured in the cord grip of the plug. This prevents strain being put onto the electrical conductors in the cable. Similarly, cables must not be allowed to hang unsupported over extended distances as this too can strain the conductors as well as posing a risk of entanglement.
   
   
   
4. Cables must not be allowed to trail across floors or over heaters. Trailing cables can cause people to trip, slip or become entangled and the cables themselves can be subject to physical damage.
   
   
   
5. The Electricity at work regulations 1989 also requires portable appliances to be tested at regular intervals by a competent electrician. A register should be complied identifying all portable appliances within the premises and used externally and results of tests carried out recorded. Appliances should be labelled to show date of test and next test due.
   
   
   
6. It is advisable for electric circuits to be fitted with a residual current device (RCD) as a fuse will blow sufficiently quickly to prevent electrocution even on a normal 240 volts supply. It must be the duty of a person within the work place to ensure that the RCD’s etc, are properly working, by using the test button.
   
   
   
7. Multi-way electrical adaptors are often found, especially in offices where a sufficient number of sockets have not be provided suitably placed. Where adaptors must be provided, it is essential that no electrical overload can occur. The type of block adaptor plugged directly into a socket should be avoided as the weight of plugs in such a socket can cause drag from the socket with possible arcing and electrical fire ensuing.
   
   
   
8. Electrical wiring should normally only be undertaken by a competent electrician. Wiring connections using insulation tape or strip connectors are not acceptable as there is no strain on the conductors.
   
   
   
9. Where electrical plant or equipment is suspected of being unsafe, there should be a procedure to take it out of commission. In the case of equipment, it is probably sufficient to cut off the plug and clearly label the equipment as unsafe then storing it securely for repair, or properly disposing of it.

There is a free leaflet booklet available from your local authority health and safety unit on electrical safety, and further information on electrical safety is available from the Health and safety executive (HSE) website.

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