Electrical Safety in the Workplace

Electrical safety should be treated as a priority in every workplace. Electricity is a powerful force which can seriously injure and in the worst cases, can be fatal.

There are several different areas to consider with electrical hazards in the workplace, each with different levels of risk that should be assessed accordingly.

RISKS AND HAZARDS

The most common electrical hazards include:

contact with exposed live parts, such as leads or other electrical equipment, causing electric shock and burns

electrical faults which could cause fires or explosions

risks-hazardsElectrocution can fatally injure, depending on the severity of the shock endured. Electric shocks can also cause related incidents such as a person falling from scaffolding, or suffering injuries from running machinery.

It is important to note that a person does not need to be directly working with electricity in order to be in contact with electrical risk.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

It is important that all electrical appliances are checked for faults regularly. Things to keep in mind when purchasing or using electrical appliances include:

Electrical appliances should always be used how they were designed to be used only

Ensure portable equipment has built-in safety switches

Never take a fixed cover off an electrical appliance while it is connected to electricity

When buying in electrical equipment from Nigeria or overseas, approved markings (CE, UL etc) mean the items are okay to use in ‘safe’ or ‘low risk’ environments like office and retail space as long as they are subject to a visual check beforehand. When they are used in an ‘unsafe’ environment or ‘high risk’ environment like a building site or factory floor, they must go through testing as well as visual checks.

Any item to be used in a high risk environment should be tested and labeled as safe in accordance with BS/NZS 3760 before it is used

Any faulty or damaged electrical equipment should be switched off and unplugged (if safe to do so). Report the problem and clearly mark the item as unsafe so colleagues do not attempt to use it.

Do not use any appliances that have been exposed to water or liquid. Turn off a wet appliance and unplug it (if safe to do so), report the issue and label it clearly as unsafe.

POWERBOARDS AND EXTENSION LEADS

Lead-in order to manage risks associated with power boards and extension leads:

All power boards should have overload protection and integrated on/off switches

Power boards should be kept well ventilated, clean and above floor level where possible

Extension leads should not be a permanent solution for power distribution and should always be laid safely in order to prevent them becoming a trip hazard

Extension leads used should be high-quality and heavy-duty, particularly when used outdoors

Cords should be in good condition and checked for faults before use.

POWERPOINTS

PowerPoint’s must be a key point of consideration as they can easily become high risk.

PowerPoint’s should never be overcrowded and multi-plugs should be avoided where possible

Ensure that any appliance is unplugged rather than yanked out of the plug by the cord

When plugging in and unplugging appliances, make sure the plug switch is off

Report any damaged or suspect sockets, and label them as unsafe so colleagues do not use them

Plugs should be fully inserted into the socket

Plugs should be tested in full regularly

All sockets should have safety switches and be adequately labeled.

LIGHTING AND HEATING

Heating Some things to keep in mind in regards to lighting and heating include:

Halogen lamps are high risk and should be replaced where possible with safer alternatives

If a fluorescent light is used and is enclosed, it must be ventilated to stop it overheating

Any exposed wires from lighting should be placed as safely as possible

If damaged lighting wires are discovered, the lights should be switched off and a qualified electrician should be called in to fix the problem

Offices should never be left unattended when heating appliances are on

STAFF TRAINING

Staff should be trained on the correct ways to use electrical equipment involved in their job, as well as how to spot a fault and what to do in an emergency.

If a staff member needs to use low-risk electrical equipment as part of their job, they must be adequately trained on how to use the equipment, and how to visually check it for faults before use. They should also know what to do if they find a fault.

Ensure only qualified, registered engineers and electricians carry out any electrical work.

If a person will be working in a high-risk environment or using high-risk electrical equipment as part of their job, they must have extensive training to enable them to work safely and recognize potential risks, and they must be fully informed of the risks involved in working with equipment in an environment of this nature.

Those working with electrical equipment that is live need to be fully trained in CPR.

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