Date: 29th January, 2025
Electrical safety is crucial for any business, not just for employee well-being but also for legal compliance and business continuity. This Electrical Safety Week, take the time to review and enhance your electrical safety measures.
The following should be considered by business owners:
Regular inspections: Schedule regular inspections of all electrical equipment, wiring, and installations. This includes:
- Electrical Inspections (IEE Wiring Regulations)
*Five Yearly for most premises, more frequently in some higher risk premises (determined by risk assessment) – Arrange for the fixed electrical system of fire safety installations to be checked by a competent person in accordance with the testing and inspection requirements of the current IEE Wiring Regulations. Ensure certificates of satisfactory testing are provided.
- Electrical Equipment Testing (EET), Previously known as Portable Appliance testing (PAT) (refer to HSE guidance)
*Annually (or otherwise as determined by risk assessment) – Portable appliance testing should be performed by a person who is competent in the safe use of the test equipment and who knows how to interpret the test results obtained. This person must be capable of inspecting the equipment and, where necessary, dismantling it to check the cable connections.
Employee Training:
- Educate employees on basic electrical safety procedures, such as recognising potential hazards, reporting concerns, and proper use of electrical equipment.
- Provide training on safe use of specific equipment relevant to their roles.
- Fire extinguisher training in use and appropriate selection (CO2 & Dry Powder extinguishers are suitable for electrical fires)
Risk Assessments: Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential electrical hazards in the workplace. This may include:
- Overloaded circuits
- Damaged cables and wiring
- Water ingress near electrical equipment
- Improper use of extension cords
- Use of portable heaters
- Lithium-ion batteries: making sure not to store or charge on escape routes
- Charging of devices & tools