Electrical safety

This page is related to managing electrical safety. For information on our Electrical Installations see Facilities > Electrical

Responsible: Ben Todd, CEO

                      Michael Paget, Chief Technician

Arcola companies are following HSE Guidance: Electricity at work: Safe working practices HSG85 (Third Edition) 

'There is no legal requirement to label equipment that has been inspected or tested, nor is there a requirement to keep records of these activities. However, a record and / or labelling can be a useful management tool for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the maintenance scheme – and to demonstrate that a scheme exists' (HSE website, http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm)

Live electrical work including testing should be avoided wherever possible, and may only be conducted when making the system dead is not possible and when working live has been assessed to be reasonable and safe, and where adequate protective measures are taken. 

Any electrical work should be risk assessed before it is undertaken and a safe system of work should be followed including: 

• • Restrict access to only those people who are actually involved in the testing

  • Inform anyone who may be affected what you are doing – include the risks you identified in your RA and controls

  • Install physical barriers to prevent accidental access to live areas 

  • Put up signage warning of risk of electrical shock

  • Ensure that all work equipment used is safe and fit for purpose

  • Insulated tools when working near live parts

  • Ensure that you have been trained in how to use the equipment

  • Use PPE as required by risk assessment. Typically for Arcola work, this will be:

  • Safety glasses for any live electrical testing (where sparking is possible)

  • If working on live systems above 100VDC (or voltage defined by RA), insulated gloves

Portable Electrical Appliances are PAT tested regularly and results logged in Work Equipment Register HSM095. (theatre equipment documents are here)

Electrical Safety at Work forms part of occupational training sessions delivered to staff each year.