What are the risks that cause injury?
According to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of their employees and the public.
You must ensure an assessment has taken place in order to evaluate the risk of any potential electrical hazards, it should cover:
The risk assessment should take into consideration the type of electrical equipment used, the way in which it is used and the environment that it is used in. You must make sure that the electrical installation and the electrical equipment is:
In damp areas, faulty equipment can become live and make its surroundings live too. Fuses, circuit-breakers, and other devices must be correctly rated for the circuit they protect. Isolators and fuse-box cases should be kept closed and, if possible, locked.
Maintenance of electrical equipment:
It is crucial that electrical equipment and installations are maintained to counteract hazards. Visual checks should be carried out by the users of electrical equipment, including portable appliances.
Equipment should be checked, repaired or replaced if:
More frequent checks should be carried out on items more prone to becoming damaged (eg portable electrical tools and equipment that is regularly moved, or used frequently or in strenuous environments). Less frequent checks are needed for equipment less likely to become damaged (eg desktop computers etc). Visual checks are not generally required for small, battery-powered items, or for equipment that works from a mains-powered adaptor (laptops or cordless phones etc). However, the mains-powered adaptor for such equipment should be visually checked.
It is worth putting into consideration whether electrical equipment, including portable appliances, should be more formally inspected or tested by a competent person. Also, think about how regularly this should be done. Consider whether electrical equipment, including portable appliances, should be more formally inspected or tested by a competent person. Also, think about how often this should be done.
How do you know that someone is competent to do electrical work?
A competent person is someone who has been suitably trained and has the necessary knowledge and expertise to carry out the task whilst preventing any potential injury to themselves and others.
Some useful information to remember:
Overhead electric lines –
Underground cables –