Health and Safety

Executive

Introduction to electrical safety

Electricity can kill or severely injure people and cause damage to property.

However, you can take simple precautions when working with or near electricity and electrical equipment to
significantly reduce the risk of injury to you, your workers and others around you.

This page provides a summary of those precautions.

Contents
The main electrical hazards
Key actions you must take

Maintenance

Overhead electric lines

Underground cables

Checklist of points to remember

Example of an avoidable accident

The main electrical hazards

The main hazards of working with electricity are:

electric shock and burns from contact with live parts

injury from exposure to arcing (when electricity jumps from one circuit to another)

fire from faulty electrical equipment or installations

explosion caused by unsuitable electrical apparatus

static electricity igniting flammable vapours or dusts, for example in a spray-paint booth

Electric shocks can also lead to other types of injury, for example by causing a fall when working from ladders
or scaffolds etc.

Even incorrectly wiring a plug can be dangerous and lead to fatal accidents or fires.

Actions you must take

You must ensure an assessment has been made of any electrical hazards, which covers:

who could be harmed by them

how the level of risk has been established

the precautions taken to control that risk
The risk assessment[72] should take into consideration the type of electrical equipment used, the way in which it
is used and the environment it is used in.

You must make sure that the electrical installation and the electrical equipment are:

suitable for their intended use and the conditions in which they are operated
only used for their intended purpose

In wet surroundings, unsuitable equipment can become live and make its surroundings live too. Fuses, circuit-
breakers and other devices must be correctly rated for the circuit they protect. Isolators and fuse-box cases
should be kept closed and, if possible, locked.

Cables, plugs, sockets and fittings must be robust enough and adequately protected for the working
environment. Ensure that machinery has an accessible switch or isolator to cut off the power quickly in an
emergency.

Maintenance
You must make sure electrical equipment and installations are maintained to prevent danger, so far as
reasonably practicable. This means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the real
risk in terms of money, time or trouble.

Users of electrical equipment, including portable appliances, should check the equipment each time they use it
and remove the equipment from use immediately if:

the plug or connector is damaged

the cable has been repaired with tape, is not secure, or internal wires are visible etc

there are burn marks or stains (suggesting overheating)

Repairs should only be carried out by a competent person[73] .This is someone who has the necessary skills,
knowledge and experience to carry out the work safely.

Have more frequent checks for items more likely to become damaged, such as:

portable electrical tools

equipment that is regularly moved, used frequently, or likely to get damaged, for example in wet or
dusty environments

Less frequent checks are needed for equipment less likely to become damaged, for example desktop
computers.

Consider whether electrical equipment, including portable appliances, should be more formally inspected or
tested by a competent person. Also think about the intervals at which this should be done.

An HSE guide Maintaining portable electrical equipment in low-risk environments[74] can help you decide
whether and when to carry out visual inspections and tests.

Fixed installations
Arrange inspecting and testing of fixed wiring installations to minimise deterioration leading to danger. This
should cover circuits from the meter and consumer unit supplying:
 light switches

sockets

wired-in equipment (eg cookers, hairdryers)

The work should normally be carried out by a competent person, usually an electrician.

How do I know if someone is competent to do electrical work?

One way of demonstrating technical competence for general electrical work is to complete an electrical
apprenticeship, with some post-apprenticeship experience.

More specialised work, such as maintenance of high-voltage switchgear or control system modification, is
almost certainly likely to require additional training and experience.

More information on maintaining electrical equipment[75]

Overhead electric lines

Be aware of the dangers of working near or underneath overhead power lines[76]. Electricity can
flash over from them, even though machinery or equipment may not touch them
Don't work under them when equipment (eg ladders, a crane jib, a tipper-lorry body or a scaffold
pole) could come within a minimum of 6 metres of a power line without getting advice.

Speak to the line owner, eg the electricity company, railway company or tram operator, before any
work begins

Underground cables
Always assume there will be underground cables[77] when digging in the street, pavement and/or
near buildings

Consult local electricity companies and service plans to identify where cables are located

Checklist of points to remember

Ensure workers know how to use the electrical equipment safely

Stop using equipment immediately if it appears to be faulty – have it checked by a competent person

Make sure enough sockets are available. Check that socket outlets are not overloaded by using
unfused adaptors as this can cause fires
Ensure there are no trailing cables that can cause people to trip or fall[78]

Switch off and unplug appliances before cleaning or adjusting them

Ensure everyone looks for electrical wires, cables or equipment near where they are going to work
and check for signs warning of dangers from electricity[79], or any other hazard
Checks should be made around the job, and remember that electrical cables may be within walls,
floors and ceilings (especially when drilling into these locations)

Ensure any electrical equipment brought into the workplace by workers, or any hired or borrowed, is
suitable for use before using it and remains suitable by being maintained as necessary

Consider using a residual current device (RCD)[80] between the electrical supply and the equipment,
especially when working outdoors, or within a wet or confined place
Example of an avoidable accident
Refrigerated display cabinet in a café

A 19-year-old man was electrocuted and killed when he touched a refrigerated display cabinet in a café.
Investigation showed that the 13A plug had been incorrectly refitted to the cabinet's main lead.

This meant the metalwork of the cabinet, which should have been safe to touch, was dangerously live at
mains voltage. The man's sister received two shocks from the cabinet before realising what had happened
to her brother.

How to avoid similar accidents

You must ensure that your electrical installation and equipment is safe. Don't cut corners – electrical
installations must be installed by someone who has the necessary training, skills and experience to carry
out the work safely.

Resources
HSE's electrical safety at work site[81]

Electrical safety and you: A brief guide (hse.gov.uk)[82]

Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment[83]

Related content
Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989[84]

Electricity at work: Safe working practices[85]

Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres[86]

Link URLs in this page

1. Electrical safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/index.htm
2. Overview - Introduction
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/precautions.htm
3. Work near electricity
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/nearelectric.htm
4. Excavation and underground services
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/excavations.htm
5. Overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/overhead.htm
6. Work using electrically powered equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/electricequip.htm
7. Work on electrical equipment, machinery or installations
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/withequip.htm
 8. Maintaining electrical equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/safety.htm
9. Electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive.htm
10. Overview - HSE electrical safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/hse.htm
11. How we work
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/how.htm
12. Who we are
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/who.htm
13. Contacts
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/contacts.htm
14. Electrical injuries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/injuries.htm
15. Standards and codes of practice
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/standards.htm
16. Electrical safety FAQs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq.htm
17. Overview - Electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres FAQs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/index.htm
18. General, guidance and enforcement issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/general.htm
19. Definitions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/definitions.htm
20. Interpretation
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/interpretation.htm
21. Technical standards
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/standards.htm
22. Existing equipment issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/existing.htm
23. Imported products
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/imported.htm
24. General issues and information
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/issues.htm
25. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/lpg.htm
26. Overview - Resources
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/index.htm
27. General health and safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/general.htm
28. Inspection & testing
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/testing.htm
29. Maintenance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/maintenance.htm
30. Construction
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/construction.htm
31. Farming/forestry
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/agriculture.htm
32. Public places
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/public.htm
33. Potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/explosive.htm
34. The law
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/law.htm
35. Other workplaces
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/other.htm
36. Links
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/links.htm
37. Overview - Accident case studies
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/experience.htm
38. Overview - Overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/index.htm
39. Lorry driver suffers burns
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/lorry.htm
40. Failing to warn driver of overhead lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/farmer.htm
41. Failure to isolate power supply
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/isolate.htm
42. Erecting a lighting tower
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/under.htm
43. Scaffolding contacting overhead line
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/scaffold.htm
44. Moving tower scaffold
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/painters.htm
45. Overview - Electrical maintenance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/index.htm
46. Changing an electrode
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/electrode.htm
47. Touching live equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/touch.htm
48. Incorrectly wired appliance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/appliance.htm
49. Insulating live wires
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/insulate.htm
50. Faulty air conditioning unit
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/aircondition.htm
51. Live electrical panel
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/panel.htm
52. Supply not been properly isolated
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/isolate.htm
53. Injuries result in amputation
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/amputation.htm
54. Switchgear not isolated
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/switchgear.htm
55. Induction heat treatment machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/heart.htm
56. Poorly constructed equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/testing.htm
57. Pressure water washing machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/washingmachine.htm
58. Metal fence
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/fence.htm
59. Incorrectly wiring a machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/wiring.htm
60. Mail wrapping machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/mail.htm
61. Overview - Excavations
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/index.htm
62. Cable locator
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/locator.htm
63. Road breaker
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/roadbreaker.htm
64. Pneumatic impact mole
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/mole.htm
65. Pneumatic breaker
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/breaker.htm
66. Jackhammer
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/jackhammer.htm
67. Breaking concrete
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/concrete.htm
68. Gas pipes and electrical cables
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/digger.htm
69. Overview - Ignition of potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/index.htm
70. Removing paint in a yacht
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/paint.htm
71. Cleaning electric stirrer
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/clean.htm
72. risk assessment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/index.htm
73. competent person
https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/gettinghelp/index.htm
74. Maintaining portable electrical equipment in low-risk environments
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.htm
75. More information on maintaining electrical equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/safety.htm
76. overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/overhead.htm
77. underground cables
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/excavations.htm
78. trip or fall
https://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/index.htm
79. signs warning of dangers from electricity
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/nearelectric.htm
80. residual current device (RCD)
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/electricequip.htm
81. HSE's electrical safety at work site
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/index.htm
82. Electrical safety and you: A brief guide (hse.gov.uk)
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg231.htm
83. Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg107.htm
84. Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsr25.htm
85. Electricity at work: Safe working practices
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg85.htm
86. Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l138.htm

HSE aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health.

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