Recognising and Addressing Electrical Hazards in the Workplace

Electrical hazards can be defined as the potential dangers and risks that are associated with electrical systems. Electricity can cause severe harm to people and property. Although electricity can be a hazard, due to its possibility to cause harm, if it is properly managed and maintained, the chances of harm being caused are small.

Education and training on how to work safely around electricity and electrical appliances is vital across all industries. Training at work should include recognising and addressing electrical hazards in the workplace, the types of injuries and harm that electricity can cause, as well as basic first aid and emergency procedures should an incident occur. 

Understanding Electrical Hazards

Some of the main hazards of working with electricity include:

• Electric shocks and/or burns from contact with live parts
• Injury from arcing exposure (when electricity jumps from one circuit to another)
• Fire caused by faulty electrical equipment or incorrect installation
• Explosion caused by unsuitable electrical apparatus
• Static electricity igniting vapours or dust (e.g. in a spray paint booth)

Generally, the higher the voltage, the more significant the injury; however, this is not always the case, especially in flammable environments. 

Both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electrical supplies can cause injuries to the body, for example:

• Electric shock
• Electrical burns
• Loss of muscle control
• Thermal burns

Electric shock

Voltages as low as 50 volts can cause electric shock. When the human body receives an electric shock, it can block electrical signals between the brain and the muscles. This can have major effects on the skin and internal organs, including:

• Causing the heart to stop beating normally
• Stopping a person from breathing
• Causing muscle spasms
• Loss of consciousness

Electrical burns

Electrical burns are more common with higher voltages but they can also occur from domestic electrical supplies.

Electrical burns occur when current passes through the body and causes tissue damage. This results in the heating of tissue along the current flow and causes deep burns that have lasting effects and usually require surgical intervention. 

Loss of muscle control

Receiving an electric shock can cause serious and painful muscle spasms that can be severe enough to dislocate joints or break bones. This can render the person receiving the electric shock unable to let go of the live cable or break the circuit to escape the electric shock.

If you are working at height, loss of muscle control can introduce additional dangers such as a fall or being thrown into other machinery.

Thermal burns

Electrical equipment can get very hot, especially if it is:

• Faulty
• Incorrectly maintained
• Short-circuiting
• Overloaded

Even low voltage batteries, such as car batteries, can become hot and may explode if they are shorted out. 

You can receive thermal burns if you are too close to a hot surface or if you are near an electrical explosion. 

Regulatory Framework

Employers are required by law to take appropriate steps to protect their workers. The key piece of legislation that covers health and safety at work is:

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The main piece of legislation that covers electricity at work includes:

• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Additional legislation that provides guidance about health and safety at work that may relate to electricity includes: 

• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992
• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
• The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
• The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended For Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

If you believe you have found an unsafe electrical installation you should stay away from it and warn others to do the same. If it is safe to do so, switch it off. You can then contact a competent person to help you, for example an approved contractor from: 

• Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA)
• National Association for Professional Inspectors and Tesrs (NAPIT)
• National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
• http://National AssociationThe Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland (SELECT)

If you find an unsafe installation and you don’t know who owns it (e.g. a pylon or electrical distribution pole) you can look for a phone number attached to it. You can also contact your local authority or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for help and advice.

Common Electrical Hazards

Electricity is used in just about every industry from construction to hospitality, agriculture and healthcare. 

Common electrical appliances you may find in your workplace (depending on the industry you are in) include:

• Office appliances such as computers, printers, photocopiers, chargers
• Electrical machinery (such as in factories, assembly plants and manufacturing)
• Electrical tools (used in construction, vehicle repair, paint spraying, maintenance work etc)
• Vacuum cleaners or carpet cleaners
• Washing machines and dryers
• Hair dryers or hair straighteners
• Electric heaters, cookers, boilers etc

At work, you may also encounter:

• Fixed installations – such as light switches or wired-in equipment.
• Overhead electric cables – you should be aware of the dangers of working under overhead power lines as electricity can flash over from them. Avoid working under them if equipment (e.g. ladders) will be within 6 metres of a power line – seek specialist advice before such work.
• Underground cables – always assume there could be underground electric cables when digging in the street, pavement etc. Local electricity boards should be able to advise on the location of underground cables.

Common causes of electrical hazards include:

• Overloading sockets (including using multiple adaptors or extension cables)
• Use of faulty or damaged electrical equipment
• Faulty or damaged electrical wiring
• Exposure to live parts during maintenance work or repair
• Electrical equipment has been in contact with water/moisture
• Misuse of equipment or not using it for its intended purpose

Risk Assessment and Prevention

Employers should ensure that they conduct a risk assessment relating to any electrical hazards. Minimally this should include:

• Who could be harmed by the electrical hazard
• How the level of risk has been established
• What measures and precautions have been taken to control the risk

The measures that are taken to control risks and protect workers and the public should be appropriate and reasonable. Your risk assessment must take into account: 

• The type of electrical equipment used
• How often it is used and how it is used
• The environment in which it is used

Some basic safety measures for working around electrical hazards and preventing an incident from occurring include:

• Ensuring electrical equipment is suitable for its intended use and the environment in which it is used
• Only using equipment for its intended purpose
• Regular testing of electrical equipment
• Ensuring fuses, circuit breakers and other devices are correctly rated for the circuits they protect
• Keeping isolators and fuse boxes closed
• Ensuring machinery is fitted with an isolator or accessible switch to quickly cut the power in an emergency
• Making sure cables, plugs, sockets and fittings are sufficiently robust and have adequate protection from the working environmen

Best Practices for Electrical Safety

In addition to following in-house protocol and acting in line with legislation, it is also important to uphold best practice. This means promoting a culture of compliance and safe working practices around electricity, fire and general workplace health and safety.

If you have questions or are unsure about electrical safety at work you should always ask for clarification rather than guessing or ignoring a potential hazard. For advice about electrical safety, you can consult:

• Your manager or employer
• A competent electrical contractor
• An electrical engineer

If you are still unsure after speaking to the above people about electrical safety, you can contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

Best practice basics in electrical safety:

• Only allow a competent person to repair or maintain electrics
• Always err on the side of caution when it comes to electrical hazards in the workplace – if in doubt get it checked out
• Follow good fire prevention procedures (good housekeeping, regular training, correct extinguishers etc)
• Don’t misuse equipment or cut corners
• Conduct routine inspections and testing of electrical equipment
• Ensure live wires are properly insulated
• Don’t take unnecessary risks
• Engage fully with any training on health and safety at work
• Report near misses as well as actual accidents/incidents

Training and Awareness

It is important that people at work understand how to work safely around electricity. Some workplaces will just need to cover the basics in their training, whilst others will need to go more in depth. You should refer to your risk assessment for details on what needs to be covered and how much training your team will need.

Everyone at work is responsible for working safely. Employers/managers are required to provide the appropriate resources, instruction and training necessary to enable workers to work safely. 

Some key points to cover in basic training about electrical safety include:

• How to use electrical equipment safely
• Always stop using electrical equipment immediately if it seems to be damaged or faulty
• Electrical equipment should only be checked or serviced by a competent person
• Water and electricity do NOT mix
• Sufficient sockets should be available and not overloaded
• Trailing cables are a hazard and can cause trips and falls
• Appliances must be switched off before they are cleaned or adjusted
• Which fire extinguishers are suitable for use on electrical fires (carbon dioxide and dry powder ONLY as others can act as a conductor)
• All electrical equipment should be safe and fit for purpose
• Use of PPE to protect workers from harm

You can put up posters that give instructions on first aid procedures for electric shock and emergency action, including how to care for burns.

Emergency Response and First Aid

When someone has had an accident or injury due to an electrical hazard, it is vital that they receive prompt medical treatment. According to the NHS, each year thousands of people die or are seriously injured due to incidents, including electrocution; however, many deaths could be prevented if first aid was given before emergency services arrive. 

Employers are responsible for making appropriate first aid arrangements for their workplace. This includes having an appointed person who is in charge of first aid arrangements and keeping a fully stocked first aid kit onsite. For higher risk workplaces, you may be required to have more in-depth arrangements in place. 

If a person has been electrocuted by a low voltage, St John Ambulance have a detailed outline of what to do on their website. The basics of what to do include:

• Do NOT touch the casualty (as you could also get electrocuted)
• Turn off the electricity if it is safe to do so
• Find a way to break contact between the person and the electrical source without touching them using a low-conductivity object (such as using a broom handle or rope)
• Perform an assessment to see if the casualty is responsive and breathing or not
• Call 999 for emergency help and instructions on what to do next

In an emergency, remember to check the casualty for A, B, C:

• Airway
• Breathing
• Circulation
• If they are unresponsive and breathing you should place them into the recovery position
• If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally you should give CPR (999 operators will be able to give instructions on how to do this if you are unsure)

If electrocution has occurred due to a high voltage incident, call 999 for emergency help immediately and NEVER approach them. High voltage current can jump or arc distances of up to 18 metres. 

Burns are a common side effect of electrocution. Basic first aid training should cover how to deal with different types of burns, including electrical burns:

• Burns can be cooled under running cold water for 10 minutes if the casualty is responsive (don’t use ice)
• Burns can be cooled using wet dressings (or specific burn dressings) whilst in the recovery position if the casualty is unresponsive

If a person is having muscle spasms or a seizure try to move any objects away that they could hit themselves on and cause further injury. If they are falling and you have time, try to cushion their fall. Time the seizures if possible so you can pass this information on to first responders.

Additionally, everyone at work should know:

• Where their nearest defibrillator is located
• Where to find the first aid box
• How to perform basic first aid including CPR and looking after burns
• How to put someone in the recovery position
• Examples of conductors and non-conductors

Case Studies

Case study one: Contractor sustains electric shock from wires powering a crane:

• A self-employed contractor sustained 415-volt electric shock injuries from the bare electrical wires supplying an overhead travelling crane whilst working from a ‘cherry picker’ installing computer cabling
• The contractor was not warned of the presence of electrical wires near to where he was working
• The company should have undertaken a risk assessment of the cabling activity that should have identified the hazard from the electrical wires
• The power should have been turned off when the work was carried out and the company should have ensured this happened
• The defendant company was prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act and fined £15,000

Case study two: Burns result in a double amputation

• An electrical fitter received a 33,000-volt shock after climbing live apparatus in a substation when he thought he was within a safe working zone
• As a result of his injuries, he had to have both of his arms amputated
• The company were found to have failed to properly mark and monitor safe zones
• Staff training was also found to be inadequate
• The employer was prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 3, Sub Section 1 and fined £50,000

Maintenance and Inspections

In some instances, a visual inspection will be able to tell you if a piece of electrical equipment poses a risk or not. 

Signs of electrical hazards include:

• Frayed wires
• Sparks when equipment is switched on
• Smoke or smell of smoke
• Unusual operation or noise

Repair and maintenance of electrical items and installations should only be performed by someone trained and competent to do so. If you find an item that does not pass your inspection or seems faulty, take it out of circulation immediately and find someone competent to check it.

Conclusion

To protect people from harm, it is vital that everyone knows how to recognise and address electrical hazards in the workplace. Failing to do so can cause otherwise preventable injuries and even fatalities. If an accident with electricity occurs, it is crucial to seek immediate emergency assistance and perform first aid if safe to do so.