Electrician Health & Safety Guide

Electrical risks are constant in our day to day lives. Of course, if you are working closely with electricity as part of your job, the risks are massively increased. Misuse of electricity can not only cause damage to property but can severely injure anyone in the vicinity. However, as with all workplace risks, there are a number of steps you can take to minimise the chances of an accident happening. Electrical safety falls under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 - this means, if you are employed as an electrician, your employer needs to ensure you are equipped with the correct tools, PPE equipment and training for the job. If you employ others, your staff and their safety at work are your responsibility. So, whether you’re employed in a position where you have to handle electricity, you’re an owner of a company, or you’re a self-employed electrician, it is vital to be fully prepared for the job at hand. Make sure you’re fully clued up with the MI Supplies electrician health and safety guide.

Electrical Injuries,

First, we need to be clear about the kinds of injuries that can be caused when working with electricity. While the higher the voltage the higher the risk, electric shocks can be caused by voltages as little as 50 volts. An electric shock is a current which runs through the human body, which can block the body's natural electrical signals from the brain. An electric shock causes muscle spasm, difficulty breathing, and can affect your heartbeat. Burns, both electrical and thermal, are also a risk for those working with electricity. Thermal burns can be caused when faulty electrical equipment overheats and becomes extremely hot to the touch. Electrical burns are caused when an electrical current passes through the body; when this happens, the tissue it passes through heats up. These deep burns are not only extremely painful but can leave a person permanently disabled. It’s clear why there is such a great need to keep yourself protected when working with electricity. So, what can you do to ensure your working day is safe?

Precautions to take when working with electricity

• Carry out risk assessments for any job you attend.

Any manual job should involve a risk assessment. Ensure you consider electricity, and any risks that may be present on the site you are attending. Even if you aren’t working directly with electricity, hazards such as overhead power lines always should be considered.

• Make sure your electrical equipment is safe.

It is vital that you are working with the correct tools for the job. Inadequate tools not only hinder your chances of completing the job successfully, but they also increase your risk of sustaining an injury. Your work equipment should undergo checks, inspections and testing regularly to ensure it is in perfect working condition.

• Turn electricity off

Even if you are not working directly with the electrical supply, if there is a chance of disturbing or damaging wires you should always ensure the electricity is turned off. In these instances, you need to be firm with those around you and make sure the power will remain off until you have finished work. Notices should be put up alerting people to the dangers of turning it back on and, if possible, the area containing the switch should remain locked and out of bounds to anyone other than yourself.

• Communicate with those around you

If you’re working as part of a group, you need to make sure you are communicating effectively as to where is and is not safe to work. Equally, if you are working in a location where other staff or the general public are present, it is vital that risks are made clearly apparent. Danger notices should be used to signify any areas with live electrical circuits or any other areas that should not be disturbed.

• Identify cable colours

When working with electrical wires, the cable colours can be used to identify both the voltage of the wire and the purpose of the wire. Different standards and colour systems are used around the world, however, and the British system itself changed in 2004. Because of this, double check the dating and the system used for any wires you are working with.

• Ensure you are ready for the job with the correct electrical PPE and clothing

And finally, PPE and protective clothing are vital when entering an area that comes with a risk. From specialist electrician trousers to electrician boiler suits and coveralls, there are a number of ways you can eliminate risks and make sure you are fully prepared for the job at hand. For further advice, including our top workwear picks, check out our post on Electrician Safety Clothing and Safety Footwear.

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For the clothing and supplies you need, be sure to explore the full electrician selection at MI Supplies. Or, for further health and safety information alongside handy training guides, check out http://www.hse.gov.uk/.