Electrical Safety

Electricity is one of the most important power sources that we all use every day. But if it’s not properly managed it can cause serious injury and death. Equipment that causes constant tripping of the safety switch are unsafe and could cause fatal accidents.

Risks associated with Electricity

Electrical risks are risks of death, electric shock or other injury caused directly or indirectly by electricity. The most common electrical risks and causes of injury are:

• electric shock causing injury or death. The electric shock may be received by direct or indirect contact, tracking through or across a medium, or by arcing. For example, electric shock may result from indirect contact where a conductive part that is not normally energised becomes energised due to a fault (e.g. metal toaster body, fence)

• arcing, explosion or fire causing burns. The injuries are often suffered because arcing or explosion or both occur when high fault currents are present

• electric shock from ‘step-and-touch’ potentials

• fire resulting from an electrical fault. Even the briefest contact with electricity at 50 volts for alternating current (V AC) or 120 volts for direct current (V DC) can have serious consequences to a person’s health and safety. High voltage shocks involving more than 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC can cause contact burns and damage to internal organs.

• electric shocks from faulty electrical equipment may also lead to related injuries, including falls from ladders, scaffolds or other elevated work platforms.

Risks are generally higher if it is used:

• Outdoors or in damp surroundings—equipment may become wet and may be at greater risk of becoming damaged.

• In cramped spaces with earthed metalwork. For example, inside a tank or bin it may be difficult to avoid receiving an electrical shock if an electrical fault develops.

Some types of equipment can also involve greater risk than others, for example:

• Portable electrical equipment including plugs and sockets, electrical connections and the cable itself, are especially vulnerable to damage.

• Extension leads, particularly those connected to equipment that is frequently moved, can suffer similar problems.

To minimise exposure to electrical risks all users of electrical equipment:

• Visually inspect all electrical equipment prior to use to check:

  • that there is no obvious external damage, particularly to plugs, sockets, cords or other connectors. Damage or faults should be reported immediately to the manager or supervisor and the damaged equipment should have an “OUT OF SERVICE” tag attached and be immediately removed from use.

  • equipment covers and guards are correctly secured.

  • ventilation inlets or exhausts are not obstructed.

• Use the correct appliance for the specific tasks.  Read instruction manuals and follow instructions to ensure the appliance is used correctly.

• Ensure that the electrical appliances are dry and clean.

• Do not withdraw a plug from a socket by pulling the cable.

• Always switch off appliances at the power point before removing the plug.

• Keep electrical cords off the floor to reduce the risk of damage from drag or contact with sharp objects.  A damaged electrical cord can cause a fatal electric shock.

• Keep electrical appliances away from water and wet areas.

• Ensure that tools are properly insulated.  Tools with damage to insulation on handles should be replaced.

• Ensure that you use the correct fire extinguisher for electrical fires.

• Fully unwind electrical cords before using it.