Electricity

Electricity is a major hazard. Not only can it kill directly through electrical shocks, but it can also cause fires and explosions. About 1,000 incidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the HSE each year, around 25 of which are fatal.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) apply general health and safety principles to electrical safety. The EAWR aim to prevent death and injury as a result of electrical shock, burns, fire, arcing or explosion.

The EAWR require electrical systems to be constructed and maintained so as to prevent danger. Work activities on or near them must not cause danger, and any equipment provided for protecting people at work on or near electrical equipment must be suitable for the use for which it is provided and used properly.

The EAWR also require that the strength and capability of electrical equipment must not be exceeded and that it must be protected where it could be exposed to mechanical damage, the weather, hot and cold temperatures, wet, dusty or corrosive conditions or flammable or explosive substances.

Electrical equipment must be properly insulated or suitably placed to prevent shocks and burns. Where necessary, the electricity supply to any piece of equipment must be capable of being switched off and the equipment isolated. Precautions must be taken to prevent equipment from becoming electrically charged when it has been made dead so that work can be carried out on or near it.

Work on or near a live conductor must be avoided where possible. However, where necessary, suitable precautions must be taken to prevent injury and adequate lighting, working space and means of access must be provided for all electrical equipment.

Only competent people with technical knowledge or experience should carry out electrical work. The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installations Contracting (NICEIC) enrols electrical contractors whose work is of an approved standard, and surveys work to ensure it complies with the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) Regulations. These regulations do not have statutory force but indicate good practice. Safety reps should ensure that if outside specialists are required, NICEIC-enrolled contractors are used.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

Following his review of health and safety law, Reclaiming health and safety for all, Löfstedt recommended that the requirement for portable appliance testing (PAT) should be further clarified (including changes to the wording of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 if necessary) to stop over-compliance.

The HSE subsequently clarified that : “The law simply requires an employer to ensure that electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger — it does not state that every item has to be tested or how often testing needs to be carried out. Testing appliances to ensure that they are safe to use can contribute to an effective maintenance regime, but in a low-risk environment most dangerous defects can be found simply by checking the appliances for obvious signs of damage such as frayed cables.”

It also revised its guidance on portable appliance testing (PAT), Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments. This is available on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf.

Further information on portable appliance testing can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm