Electrical Safety in the Workplace
Electrical Safety in the Workplace
It is essential for businesses to ensure that their employees are working in a safe environment.
Every year, there are around 1000 accidents at work involving electricity that are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
And around 30 deaths are caused due to electrical accidents.
The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) require employers to make sure that all electrical equipment is safe.
To do this, employers must make sure that the equipment is checked, installed correctly and regularly inspected by a professional.
Electrical risk assessments should be conducted in the workplace; identifying any electrical hazards, the level of risk and the precautions that have been taken to control the risk.
It is a requirement that any incidents or injuries that are caused by electrical equipment are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by an employer.
The main injuries that are caused by electrical hazards are: –
- Electrocution
- Electrical burns
- Electric shock
- Secondary injuries caused by an electrical shock
To avoid electrical injuries, employers should be aware of the most common electrical hazards in the workplace.
Frayed or loose cables can expose live wires which can lead to electrical fires or electric shock. Damaged cables should be repaired or replaced by a qualified electrician.
Electrical equipment that is used in close proximity to water increases the risk of electrocution, this should be avoided and if equipment does get wet, an electrician should complete an inspection.
Incorrect fuse replacements can cause appliances to overheat, if you are unsure yourself contact us and we can have a qualified electrician advise you.
Plugs and appliances that smell of smoke are a sign of an electrical hazard; an electrician would come to the workplace and turn off the electrical supply to any equipment that is a danger or has a fault.
The HSE produce multiple guides on regulations surrounding electrical safety and these can be referred to by employers.
It is recommended the risk assessments are reviewed regularly by employers, evaluating any new risks or risk levels that have changed.
Regular testing and inspections should be conducted by qualified electricians, including PAT testing inspections and reports.
Here at KWE, we can complete regular inspections with the help of our fully qualified electricians to ensure that your workplace is a safe environment for you and your employees.
If this is something that you would like to discuss further or if you have any questions regarding our services give us a call on 01670 856049 or email us on info@kwe.uk.com.