After presenting the hazard risks of dealing and working around/with the electricity, and once you have completed the risk assessment, you can use your findings to reduce unacceptable risks from the electrical equipment in your place of work. There are many things you can do to achieve this; please find below some tips from HSE, as presented in their guide - Electrical Safety and You. The main things you need to take care of are: Ensure that the electrical installation is safe, Provide safe and suitable equipment, Reduce the voltage, Provide a safety device, Carry out preventative maintenance, Work safely(make sure you do some checks), and taking care of working around Underground power cables, Overhead power lines, Electrified railways and tramways, etc.
Ensure that the electrical installation is safe
- install new electrical systems to a suitable standard, eg BS 7671 Requirements for electrical installations, and then maintain them in a safe condition;
- existing installations should also be properly maintained;
- provide enough socket-outlets - overloading socket-outlets by using adaptors can cause fires.
Provide safe and suitable equipment
- choose equipment that is suitable for its working environment;
- electrical risks can sometimes be eliminated by using air, hydraulic or handpowered tools. These are especially useful in harsh conditions;
- ensure that equipment is safe when supplied and then maintain it in a safe condition;
- provide an accessible and clearly identified switch near each fixed machine to cut off power in an emergency;
- for portable equipment, use socket-outlets which are close by so that equipment can be easily disconnected in an emergency;
- the ends of flexible cables should always have the outer sheath of the cable firmly clamped to stop the wires (particularly the earth) pulling out of the terminals;
- replace damaged sections of cable completely;
- use proper connectors or cable couplers to join lengths of cable. Do not use strip connector blocks covered in insulating tape;
- some types of equipment are double insulated. These are often marked with a ‘double-square’ symbol . The supply leads have only two wires - live (brown) and neutral (blue). Make sure they are properly connected if the plug is not a moulded-on type;
- protect light bulbs and other equipment which could easily be damaged in use. There is a risk of electric shock if they are broken;
- electrical equipment used in flammable/explosive atmospheres should be designed to stop it from causing ignition. You may need specialist advice.
Reducing the risk: Reduce the voltage
One of the best ways of reducing the risk of injury when using electrical equipment is to limit the supply voltage to the lowest needed to get the job done, such as:- temporary lighting can be run at lower voltages, eg 12, 25, 50 or 110 volts;
- where electrically powered tools are used, battery operated are safest;
- portable tools are readily available which are designed to be run from a 110 volts centre-tapped-to-earth supply.
Reducing the risk: Provide a safety device
If equipment operating at 230 volts or higher is used, an RCD (residual current device) can provide additional safety. An RCD is a device which detects some, but not all, faults in the electrical system and rapidly switches off the supply(read more about the RCDs and the types of RCDs). The best place for an RCD is built into the main switchboard or the socket-outlet, as this means that the supply cables are permanently protected. If this is not possible a plug incorporating an RCD, or a plug-in RCD adaptor, can also provide additional safety. RCDs for protecting people have a rated tripping current (sensitivity) of not more than 30 milliamps (mA). Remember:- an RCD is a valuable safety device, never bypass it;
- if the RCD trips, it is a sign there is a fault. Check the system before using it again;
- if the RCD trips frequently and no fault can be found in the system, consult the manufacturer of the RCD;
- the RCD has a test button to check that its mechanism is free and functioning. Use this regularly.
Reducing the risk: Carry out preventative maintenance
All electrical equipment and installations should be maintained to prevent danger. It is strongly recommended that this includes an appropriate system of visual inspection and, where necessary, testing. By concentrating on a simple, inexpensive system of looking for visible signs of damage or faults, most of the electrical risks can be controlled. This will need to be backed up by testing as necessary.It is recommended that fixed installations are inspected and tested periodically by a competent person. The frequency of inspections and any necessary testing will depend on the type of equipment, how often it is used, and the environment in which it is used. Records of the results of inspection and testing can be useful in assessing the effectiveness of the system. Equipment users can help by reporting any damage or defects they find.
Reducing the risk: Work safely - make sure you do some checks
Make sure that people who are working with electricity are competent to do the job. Even simple tasks such as wiring a plug can lead to danger - ensure that people know what they are doing before they start. Check that:- suspect or faulty equipment is taken out of use, labeled ‘DO NOT USE’ and kept secure until examined by a competent person;
- where possible, tools and power socket-outlets are switched off before plugging in or unplugging;
- equipment is switched off and/or unplugged before cleaning or making adjustments.
Reducing the risk: Working in the vicinity of Underground power cables
Always assume cables will be present when digging in the street, pavement or near buildings. Use up-to-date service plans, cable avoidance tools and safe digging practice to avoid danger. Service plans should be available from regional electricity companies, local authorities, highways authorities, etc.Reducing the risk: Working in the vicinity of Overhead power lines
When working near overhead lines, it may be possible to have them switched off if the owners are given enough notice. If this cannot be done, consult the owners about the safe working distance from the cables. Remember that electricity can flash over from overhead lines even though plant and equipment do not touch them. Over half of the fatal electrical accidents each year are caused by contact with overhead lines.Reducing the risk: Working in the vicinity of Electrified railways and tramways
If working near electrified railways or tramways, consult the line or track operating company. Remember that some railways and tramways use electrified rails rather than overhead cables.Download this guide to the Electrical Safety and You from the HSE website, and consult the first part of this guide via our blog.
