1. Electrical Safety Training Presentation
Context
This presentation is designed to give an overview of the areas that must be considered regarding electrical safety in the workplace. 
It has been constructed for use by health and safety managers:
as a tool to outline the topic to health and safety team members, or to line managers
as a guide to providing awareness of the topic to senior management/directors of the company.
It is designed to help with:
understanding the dangers of electricity in the workplace
understanding the legislative requirements and the records that should be kept
knowing the general user checks that anyone can do
appreciating limitations by having some indication of the other tests and inspections that a more highly trained person would do.

2. Dangers of Electricity
The main dangers of electricity are:
electric shock
electric burns
fire (and possible explosion)
Around 1000 electrical accidents at work are reported to the Health and Safety Executive each year, and about 25 people die of injuries related to these accidents. Many deaths and injuries arise from:
inadequately maintained electrical equipment
contact with overhead power lines or underground power cables
mains electricity supplies (230v)
use of electrical equipment inappropriate for the environment it is to be used in.
Fires started by poor electrical installations and faulty electrical appliances cause many additional deaths and injuries.
Many of these deaths, injuries and property damage events can be prevented by suitable training, provision of appropriate equipment and adequate maintenance of such equipment.

3. Types of Injury
Both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical supplies can cause injury, including:
electric shock
electrical burns
loss of muscle control
thermal burns
Electrical injuries can be caused by a wide range of voltages. The risk of injury is generally greater with higher voltages but is dependent on individual circumstances. Electric shock: a voltage applied between two parts of the body causes a current to flow that can block the electrical signals between the brain and the muscles. This may have a number of effects, including stopping the heart from beating properly, preventing the person from breathing and muscle spasms.
Electrical burns: When an electrical current passes through the human body, it heats the tissue along the length of the current flow. This can result in deep tissue burns that often require major surgery and are permanently disabling. Burns are more common with higher voltages but may occur from domestic electricity supplies if the current flows for more than a few fractions of a second.
Loss of muscle control: People who receive an electric shock often get painful muscle spasms which can be strong enough to break bones or dislocate joints. This loss of muscle control often means the person cannot let go of the tool/equipment concerned or escape the electric shock.
Thermal burns: People can receive thermal burns if they get too near hot surfaces or if they are in the vicinity of an electrical explosion. Overloaded, faulty, incorrectly maintained or shorted electrical equipment can get very hot. Some electrical equipment gets hot in normal operation and even low voltage batteries may explode if they are shorted out.

4. Relevant Legislation Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAW) provide the key legislative framework for working with electricity, setting out what is required to comply with the general duties imposed under the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 to provide safe systems of work, and safe plant and equipment. The EAW places emphasis on employers to assess the work activities that utilise electricity, or which may be affected by it, and to define all foreseeable risks associated with those activities.
The main provisions contained in the EAW cover:
interpretation (regulation 2), eg definitions of: system; electrical equipment; conductor; danger
persons on whom duties are imposed (regulation 3): employers, employees and the self-employed
systems, work activities and protective equipment (regulation 4)
strength and capability of electrical equipment (regulation 5) adverse or hazardous environments (regulation 6)
insulation, protection and placing of conductors (regulation 7)
earthing or other suitable precautions (regulation 8)
integrity of referenced conductors (regulation 9)
connections (regulation 10)
means for protecting from excess current (regulation 11)
means for cutting off the supply and for isolation (regulation 12)
precautions for work on equipment made dead (regulation 13)
work on or near live conductors (regulation 14)
working space, access and lighting (regulation 15)
persons to be competent to prevent danger and injury (regulation 16)

5. Safety Precautions
Perform a risk assessment to identify any electrical hazards and required control measures
Check that any electrical equipment is:
in good condition
suitable for the work and environment that it is going to be used in
suitable for the electrical supply with which it is going to be used
Ensure the user of the equipment is trained to use it safely
Use of a plug-in residual current device (RCD) between the electrical supply and the equipment can reduce the likelihood of an electrical injury by detecting faults in the electrical system and rapidly switching off the supply. However, a shock can still cause very serious or fatal injuries so an RCD should only be used as a secondary means of reducing the risk of electric shock. The best place for an RCD is built into the main switchboard, meaning that the electrical supply is permanently protected. If this is not possible, an electrical socket outlet incorporating an RCD, or a plug-in RCD adaptor, can also provide additional safety. If an RCD trips, it is a sign there is a fault. However, if the RCD trips frequently and no fault can be found in the system, consult the manufacturer of the RCD. The test button on the RCD should also be utilised regularly.
If lighting circuits are protected by the same RCD that protects other equipment, a fault that causes the RCD to trip will also result in the loss of lighting that could give rise to a number of risks (such as trips and falls or the dangers from moving machinery). A risk assessment should therefore be carried out to identify the effect of fitting an RCD to electrical circuits.

6. Competent Persons
A person can demonstrate competence to perform electrical work if he or she:
has successfully completed an assessed training course, run by an accredited training organisation
has successfully completed an electrical apprenticeship, with some post-apprenticeship experience
has been able to demonstrate an ability to understand electrical theory and put this into practice
Only persons competent to do so and authorised by the employer should carry out repairs to electrical equipment or the electrical supply. Employees should be trained to carry out simple pre-use checks before they use electrical equipment.
More specialised work, such as maintenance of high voltage switchgear or control system modification, is almost certainly likely to require additional training and experience. Complex electrical tasks, eg motor repair or maintenance of radio frequency heating equipment, should only be carried out by someone suitably trained.
Work on electrical installations below 1000 volts ac should be carried out in accordance with BS7671. Other work should be carried out according to the guidelines set out in the relevant industry standard. Competent persons include those who are a member of the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) or an approved electrical contractor from the Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland (SELECT).

7. Training Requirements
Most employees will require some level of training for working with electricity, ie instruction not to carry out certain work or the need for specific qualifications
Training should cover:
guidance for all relevant staff (including managers)
minor work on electrical equipment
inspection and testing of portable appliances
high-risk activities
All staff: General risks and instructions on the use of electricity should be given at induction and/or general health and safety training sessions. This should include:
risks associated with electricity
how to carry out general user checks as required by portable appliance maintenance procedures
emphasis on what work can and cannot be carried out on electrical systems and apparatus, including any prohibited tasks and how/what to report regarding found and suspected faults.
Managers responsible for electrical work should be familiar with the general principles and understand the legal and practical requirements. Minor work on electrical equipment: A training session will be necessary for those not formally qualified as electrical technicians but authorised to carry out minor work on electrical equipment. This is only intended for employees carrying out work on equipment which does not need to be isolated before the work begins, as determined through the risk assessment procedure. This training should focus on:
general principles of electricity
precautions
particular knowledge necessary for the tasks to be carried out
what work can and cannot be carried out.
Inspection and testing of portable appliances: This requires specific training, but may not require an electrical technician. A competent person selected to carry out portable appliance testing should attend a suitable course, such as the City & Guilds High-risk activities: All staff authorised to carry out work on high-risk activities must be qualified and trained electrical technicians. City & Guilds qualifications will be necessary. Note: Contractors' employees who carry out electrical installations in domestic premises must be trained in accordance with the conditions of the contractor's registration with a competent persons scheme. For electricians required to do inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations, the City & Guilds 2391 course is suitable.

8. Basic User Checks
The flex, plug and socket, to ensure that they are in good condition
The equipment itself, to ensure that it is in good condition and works properly
The environment in which the equipment is used, to check that the design of the equipment is suitable
The equipment, to ensure that it is suitable for the job
All equipment should be designed and constructed so that mechanical and electrical stresses do not cause it to become unsafe. Basic user checks can be performed to monitor its suitability, safety and that it is in good working condition.

9. User Checks: The Equipment (1)
Check to see if:
the equipment is being used for the purpose it was originally intended
the equipment has been used in conditions where it is not suitable, eg a wet or dusty workplace
there is any damage to the outer cover of the equipment or obvious loose parts or screws
there is evidence of overheating, eg burn marks or staining
If the environment is damp, battery or air-powered equipment may be appropriate, or equipment that operates at a reduced voltage, such as that supplied by a transformer with an output centre tapped to earth (this halves the voltage between a live wire and earth). Such equipment is used in the construction industry and is readily available from hire shops.
If there is the chance that there is an explosive atmosphere (eg containing flammable aerosols, vapours, gases or dusts) nearby, ensure the work can be carried out safely and that the right equipment is chosen.

10. User Checks: The Equipment (2)
Check the condition of equipment by:
firstly, switching off and unplugging the equipment
ensuring the fuse is correctly rated
checking the plug and cable (as demonstrated in the following slides)
checking for any obvious loose or missing parts or screws, and the function of switches
checking for burn marks or brown staining that suggests the equipment is overheating
The outer cover of the equipment should also be checked to ensure it is not damaged in a way that will give rise to electrical or mechanical hazards, or cause injury to the user.
If concerned about the safety of the equipment, stop using it and ask a competent person to undertake a more thorough check.

11. User Checks: The Cable Check to see if:
the cable covering is damaged, eg cuts, abrasion (other than light scuffing)
there are non-standard joints, eg taped joints in the cable
the normal position of the cable will not result in it being damaged
It is important that any cable damage is not repaired with insulating tape or an unsuitable connector — damaged cable should always be replaced with a new cable by a competent person. Position any trailing cables or wires so that they are not a trip hazard.

12. User Checks: The Plug Check to see if:
the outer covering of the cable is properly secured where it enters the plug
the coloured insulation of the internal wires is showing
no internal wires are visible
there are any broken or cracked parts in the casing
no pins are bent
Unless the person carrying out the checks is competent/trained to do so, he or she must not remove the plug cover.

13. User Checks: The Socket
Check to see if:
there are signs of damage to the casing
there are signs of overheating, eg scorch marks
If the socket is loose, or is damaged in a way that the wires can be touched, do not touch it
User checks can be carried out on electrical socket outlets
using an electrical socket tester. However, it is essential
that the correct type of tester is used as there are many
types of socket tester which cannot detect certain types of
fault, and could indicate the socket is safe when it is not.

14. Formal Visual Inspection
The formal visual inspection is similar to the user checks but is carried out in more depth and includes:
the environment in which the equipment is used
the manner in which it is being used, ie good housekeeping
the suitability of the equipment
the ability to disconnect the equipment, both normally and in an emergency
the condition of the equipment
Inspections must only be performed by a competent person using suitable equipment. They should be conducted often enough to ensure equipment does not become unsafe between inspections. Additional regular inspections may be required where a risk assessment indicates this is necessary (eg where equipment is used in a harsh environment, such as a construction site).

15. Combined Inspection and Test
The combined inspection and test involves the use of specific test equipment and must only be carried out by a suitably trained and experienced person
The tests involve:
a thorough visual inspection similar to the formal visual inspection
an electrical test that the earth connection is intact and correct
an electrical test to indicate that the insulation is functioning properly
A combined inspection and test could be a portable appliance test (PAT), or a detailed test with a more sophisticated instrument. The person carrying out the test should be trained and competent to do so.
More detail on PAT is available on the following slide.

16. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
A portable appliance tester is a convenient way to test insulation and continuity resistance; it can be either:
a simple “pass or fail” tester
a computerised test machine that reads a bar code on the appliance, and logs and records the test results (and schedules the next test)
The appliance should be labelled PASS with the date of passing and the date of when the next test is due
There is no requirement for PAT to be performed specifically by an electrician, the only requirement being that the person is competent to test appliances, eg gained by attending a course. It is advisable to keep a log of the PAT results to provide “evidence” that they have been carried out, and also to compare with previous test results, so that gradual deterioration can be detected. It is also important to test regularly any RCD fitted to portable appliances.

17. Frequency of Testing Factors influencing frequency include:
the type of equipment
its position
what it is used for
the way it is used
BS 7671 recommends the maximum periods between the testing and inspection of fixed installations and equipment. These include the following.
Commercial premises: five years.
Industrial premises: three years.
Emergency lighting: three years.
Fire alarm systems: one year.
Temporary installations: six months.
Portable appliances should also be subject to regular testing and inspection, relative to the different types of equipment and their risk. For example:
hand-held equipment (eg drills, soldering irons): before use and up to every six months
portable or movable equipment: weekly and up to every year
stationary equipment not intended to be moved: every two years
fixed equipment which remains in place: between every two to four years
information technology equipment: between every two to four years.

18. Electrical Supply Check to make sure the:
electrical equipment is suitable for the electrical supply to which it is being connected
voltage is correct
electrical supply can deliver the current required by the equipment (as shown on its rating plate)
electrical supply is safe to use and tested regularly (by a competent person using suitable equipment)
Where there is evidence that the electrical supply may not be safe, such as damaged equipment or wiring, the supply should not be used until work has been done to correct this. If there are concerns over an unsafe electrical installation:
firstly, warn everyone to stay away from it
if it is safe to do so, switch it off
contact a competent person who will be able to advise on how to make the installation safe, or is able to inspect and test it.
All work on electrical wiring in premises must comply with BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations — IEE Wiring Regulations (17th Edition).
Where equipment is brought onto the premises, eg by a contractor, the employer/premises manager should put in place a procedure to ensure its safety. Once this equipment is connected to the employer’s electricity supply, it becomes part of the electrical system and is, in some circumstances, part of the employer’s responsibility.

19. Isolation of Equipment
It is only safe to work on electrical equipment if all sources of energy have been securely isolated
Always follow the procedures identified in the manufacturer’s instruction and any local safety rules
Post warning notices at the points of isolation
Apply a lock to each isolation device to ensure sources of energy cannot be reconnected to the equipment
Ensure that any equipment can be proved “dead” before work commences
It is never absolutely safe to work on live electrical equipment. There are few circumstances where it is necessary to work live, and this must only be done after it has been determined that it is unreasonable for the work to be done “dead”.
Sources of energy that require isolation include:
electrical
mechanical
gas
pneumatic
hydraulic
pressure.
Any stored energy must also be released from the equipment.
Equipment containing dangerous chemicals or other substances may have to be decontaminated before it is safe to work on them. Always ask a competent person what to do. In situations where there is doubt as to the status of the equipment, ie whether it has been proved “dead”, it should always be assumed to be live and appropriate action should be taken. Work on live electrical systems may only be undertaken when:
it is unreasonable in all circumstances for the electrical conductor to be “dead”
it is reasonable in all circumstances for work to be carried out on or near the conductor when it is live
suitable precautions are taken to prevent injury and reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable, including protective equipment such as insulating mats.
Only fully trained and competent persons should undertake any live work.

20. Reporting Electrical Accidents
An electrical accident is reportable to the HSE if:
the person dies as a result of their injuries
the person suffers a specified injury
the person suffers any burn injury that covers more than 10% of the whole body’s total surface area or causes significant damage to the eyes, respiratory system or other vital organs
plant or equipment has come into contact with overhead power lines
there is an electrical short circuit or overload that causes a fire or explosion
An incident is also reportable if, as a result of any injury suffered, the person:
is away from work for more than three days
cannot undertake their full range of normal duties for more than three days.

21. Further Guidance
IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition (BS 7671: Incorporating Amendment Number 3: 2015)
Guidance Note 3: Inspection and Testing, 7th Edition (Institution of Engineering and Technology)
HSG85: Electricity at Work — Safe Working Practices (HSE)
HSG107: Maintaining Portable and Transportable Electrical Equipment (HSE)
HSR25: Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (HSE)
INDG231: Electrical Safety and You (HSE)
INDG354: Safety in Electrical Testing at Work (HSE)

22. Summary Electrical dangers in the workplace are:
shock
burns
fire
Regular checks, inspections and tests will help to ensure that electrical equipment remains safe to use
User checks undertaken will not identify all faults; other inspections and tests are needed at less frequent intervals to ensure that any faults are found
Complex electrical tasks must only be carried out by competent persons who are suitably trained
Records of all inspections and tests for equipment and electrical supply systems should be maintained, including any remedial action taken