Electrical safety in the workplace

Employers have a legal duty to keep all employees and visitors in their workplaces safe.

With Health & Safety Executive (HSE) figures showing that around 1,000 accidents take place in the UK each year, it’s vital that employers adhere to all safety requirements in the workplace. This includes ensuring that electrical systems and appliances are safe and used correctly.

In the UK, electrical safety is regulated under various laws and standards. Read on to learn about key aspects of electrical safety in the workplace, relevant regulations and best practices to mitigate risks.

What are the risks?

Electricity can cause serious injuries or fatalities through electric shock, burns or fire hazards. Common risks associated with workplace electrical systems include:

• Electric burns, shock and electrocution – Direct or indirect contact with live electrical parts can cause severe injury or death.
• Fires – Faulty wiring and installations, overloaded circuits, and poor maintenance can lead to electrical fires.
• Arc flashes and explosions – High-voltage equipment can generate dangerous electrical arcs that can cause burns and damage equipment. Faults with the earth conductor can also lead to electrical shocks, fires, arc flashes or explosions.
• Equipment malfunctions – Poorly maintained or damaged electrical appliances and equipment can lead to failures and increase the risk of accidents.

Electrical safety regulations for the workplace

Employers must comply with several key regulations to ensure electrical safety in the workplace. These are the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

This requires employers to ensure that their premises and systems are safe and hold no risks for those carrying out work activities. It also places a responsibility on employees to take reasonable care of their own safety and be aware of the effect that their work may have on the safety of others.

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

This stipulates that employers should ensure electrical systems and equipment are safely designed, correctly installed, regularly maintained and suitable for their intended purpose. Employers must provide safe systems of work and ensure suitable precautions are taken to minimise risk of injury from, for example, exposed metalwork or broken or loose elements. Regular inspection and testing of electrical installations and equipment are essential. Employees also have a general duty to comply with any regulations that apply to their own activities.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998

This aims to ensure that all electrical work equipment is suitable for its intended purpose. It should also be maintained and used safely.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

This requires employers to carry out risk assessments and provide policies, information and training on using electrical equipment. These regulations also place a duty on employees to co-operate with the health and safety arrangements in their workplace.

BS 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations)

This British Standard is the key code of practice for the electrical industry. It provides technical guidance on safe electrical installations. Employers must ensure that any electrical work is installed to the requirements of the wiring regs.

Best practices for electrical safety in the workplace

Employers and employees must work together to prevent electrical accidents. Some of the regulations mentioned above also place an onus on employees to ensure the safety of themselves and others.

The following best practices can help ensure a safer workplace:

• Conduct regular risk assessments
  Risk assessments can help identify potential electrical hazards and enable employers to take necessary steps to control risks. This includes checking for exposed wires, faulty equipment and overloading of circuits.
• Implement safe working procedures
  Workers should follow strict procedures when working with electrical equipment. Lockout/tagout (LOTO) systems should be in place to prevent accidental energisation of circuits during maintenance.
• Use qualified personnel
  Electrical work should only be performed by competent and qualified professionals. Training and certification should be regularly updated to align with industry standards and regulations.
• Maintain equipment regularly
  Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) should be conducted on electrical equipment to ensure it remains safe for use. Fixed electrical installations should also undergo periodic inspection and testing.
• Provide relevant training
  Employees should receive adequate training on electrical safety, including hazard identification, safe use of equipment, and emergency response procedures.
• Encourage a safety-first culture
  Encouraging employees to report faulty equipment and potential hazards can help prevent accidents. Clear signage and warning labels should be used to alert workers to electrical dangers.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
  For employees working with high-voltage systems, the use of insulated gloves, protective clothing and safety footwear can help reduce the risk of injury.

Contact us

Our team are highly experienced in electrical installations and maintenance. We are well-placed to advise you about the electrical safety of your workplace and can offer a range of services to help. As contractors, we are highly experienced, qualified electrical professionals, and all our work complies with the relevant standards and regulations, including BS 7671. We are also approved by NICEIC, the UK’s leading certification body for the electrical contracting industry.

Please call us on 0113 257 8212 to discuss any aspect of electrical safety in the workplace.