Sedibeng Water

Electrical Safety.
Electrical hazards are present in most workplaces, from services within buildings, to electrical
tools and equipment used, underground services, and overhead services.

or circuit breaker to protect the circuit in the

Importance.
event of excessive current. If a wrong size
fuse is fitted, or circuit breaker tampered
Accidents involving electricity are often fatal. Not
with, the protection may not be adequate.
only can electricity kill you directly but electrical
In high risk environments like construction
failure can also cause fires, putting everyone within
sites, either the voltage has to be reduced to
a building or site at risk.
a safe level (110v), or the fault current should
be limited by a Residual Current Device
Regulations. (RCD). NOTE: These devices do not prevent
electric shock, only that the shock is
The Electricity at Work Regulations is the main law unlikely to be fatal. In damp or sweaty
covering electricity but other relevant regulations conditions the shock could still be severe so
include Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, do not be lulled into a false sense of
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations and the security.
Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations.
Questions.
Guidance.
1. What are the main hazards of working with
Understanding how electrical equipment is electricity?
designed to be safe, helps us to spot when 2. What regulations cover working with
things are wrong and therefore dangerous. electricity?
All metal parts designed to carry current
(conductors) need to be properly insulated.
If the insulation is vulnerable it has to be Summary.
additionally protected – sheathing, conduit,
trunking, armoured cable etc may be used. Check for signs of damage to equipments and
If you can see defective insulation or cables, if in doubt have the circuit/equipment
sheathing (eg. flex out of plug, split cable), checked by an electrician before starting work.
the system is not safe and should be Use 110v equipment on construction sites.
isolated and immediate steps taken to get it
repaired by a competent person. NOTE:
Sometimes conductors are made safe by
placing out of reach. This is OK until
unusual circumstances (eg. maintenance
or decorating work) make them not out of
reach. Take special care in such cases.
Earthing all metal parts not intended to
carry current will prevent them becoming
live in a fault situation. Earth wires and
connectors are just as important as the
circuit wires and any damage or looseness
must be repaired urgently by a competent
person.
Earthing works in conjunction with the fuse

Toolbox Talk - Electrical Safety 1/1