Electrical Health and Safety

Sunday, August 17, 2008

What is electricity?

Virtually every workplace uses electricity as an energy source. People who carry out work with, on or near electrical equipment need to be aware of the dangers. Harm can be caused to anyone when they are exposed to 'live parts' that are either touched directly or indirectly by means of some conducting object or material. Voltages over 50 volts AC or 120 volts DC are considered hazardous.

Why is electricity important?

Electricity can kill. Each year about 1,000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive(HSE). Around 30 of these are fatal, most of them arising from contact with overhead or underground power cables. Shocks from faulty equipment can cause severe and permanent injury and can also lead to indirect injuries, due to falls from ladders, scaffolds or other work platforms. Faulty electrical appliances can also lead to fires that, as well as causing injuries, could cause damage to plant, equipment and property

Who is affected / most at risk from electricity?

Anyone could be exposed to the dangers of electricity whilst at work. Those most at risk include maintenance staff, those working with, electrical plant, equipment and machinery, and people working in harsh environments such as construction sites. Most electrical accidents occur because individuals:

• are working on or near equipment which is thought to be dead but which is in fact live
• are working on or near equipment which is known to be live but where those involved are without adequate training or appropriate equipment, or they have not taken adequate precautions
• misuse equipment or use electrical equipment which they know to be faulty

What does the law say?

Employers, the self-employed and employees have a duty to prevent danger in the construction, maintenance and use of electrical systems:

• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAW Regulations), which came into force on 1 April 1990, applies to all aspects of the use of electricity within the workplace from supply to the use of electrical equipment.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, place a general duty on employers to assess the risks and reduce the risks to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. This would apply to the risks associated with the use of electricity and electrical equipment while at work

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) requires that you notify the enforcing authority immediately (e.g. by telephone using the Incident Reporting Line 0845 300 9923 or via the HSE Website) of the following incidents:

• injury to staff due to an electric shock or electrical burn leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation; or admittance to hospital
• electrical short circuit or overload causing fire or explosion plant or equipment coming into contact with overhead power lines.

Good practice when dealing with electricity

Always consider the potential hazards regarding electricity in your risk assessments. For example:

• contact with live parts causing shock and burns (normal mains voltage, 230 volts AC, can kill)
• faults which could cause fires
• fire or explosion where electricity could be the source of ignition in a potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere, e.g. in a spray paint booth
• where and how electricity is used,(the risks are generally greatest in harsh conditions). Think about the implications when using electricity in wet surroundings, out of doors or in cramped or confined space.

Take sensible precautions, for example:

• Reduce the voltage
  • portable tools are available which can be run from a 110 volts, centre-tapped-to-earth supply, (usually from a transformer)
  • where electrically powered tools are used, battery operated are safest
  • temporary lighting can be run at lower voltages, e.g. 12, 25, 50 or 110 volts
• Provide a safety device
  • An Residual Current Device (RCD) is a device that detects some, but not all, faults in the electrical system and rapidly switches off the supply. The best place for an RCD is built into the main supply or the socket-outlet
• Carry out preventative maintenance
  • All electrical equipment and installations should be maintained to prevent danger. This should include an appropriate system of formal visual inspection and, where necessary, Portable Appliance testing (PAT)
• Work safely
  • Make sure that people working with electricity are competent to do the job