Electricity at work Regulations

1. Electricity at work Regulations Ollie & Lawrence

2. Introduction • Electricity at work regulations is basically keeping electricity and electrical appliances safe in the workplace. • If these regulations are not carried out severe injuries, death or damage to equipment could be caused by faulty electrical equipment or miss use of electricity or electrical appliances. • Accidents involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This is the recognised sign for hazard of electricity.

3. Hazards • The main hazards are: • contact with live parts causing shock and burns – normal mains voltage, • 230 volts AC, can kill. • faults which could cause fire. • fire or explosion where electricity could be the source of ignition in a potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere. • Not all electrical elements are visible or clearly highlighted. For example underground and over head power lines or electrified railways andtramways that must be decommissioned or turned off if you are working near them as they can cause death.

4. Assessing the risk • Assessing the risks: • The risk of injury from electricity is strongly linked to where and how it is used. The risks are greatest in harsh conditions, for example: • In wet surroundings – unsuitable equipment can easily become live and can make its surroundings live. • Outdoors – equipment may not only become wet but may be at greater risk of damage. • In cramped spaces with a lot of earthed metalwork such as inside a tank – if an electrical fault developed it could be very difficult to avoid a shock. • items of equipment can also involve greater risk than others. Extension leads are particularly liable to damage – to their plugs, sockets, connections and the cable itself. Other flexible leads, particularly those connected to equipment which is often moved, can suffer from similar problems.

5. Reducing the risk • Ensure people working on or with your electrical equipment or systems are aware of the risks. • Ensure the electrical installation is safe e.g. electrical systems are installed to a suitable standard, (BS 7671) Requirements for electrical installations. • Provide safe and suitable equipment, make sure all equipment is at any risk of causing fire or electric shock when it is in use, and all equipment is maintained. • To 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, e.g. 12, 25, 50 or 110 volts. • Provide a safety device that will notice and notify a fault in a current or system • Carry out annual maintenance, to check if the system or equipment is fully functional and safe to use.

6. Work and employer safety • All personnel in the workshop should be fully qualified to use the equipment so they are aware of the risks, hazards and regulations when working. Or anyone in the workshop should be fully aware of all regulations relevant to the equipment or environment. • This is to protect the safety of yourself and people around you.

7. Sources • http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg231.pdf Thanks for listening! Any Questions?