Electrical safety in the workplace
Electricity is the most commonly used source of power in most working environments. It can also be dangerous if safety principles are not followed.
The safety principles are simple and easy to implement.
- Switchboards should be checked regularly to ensure they are undamaged, and that all equipment such as fuses, safety switches and circuit breakers are operational and marked clearly. Marking on the switches and fuses is important because it allows equipment to be isolated quickly in an emergency.
- Handheld electrical equipment should be inspected for obvious defects or damage each time it is used.
- Electrical cables and conduits need to be checked to see if they are secure and not damaged, or are in a dangerous location, such as in the way of pedestrian or other traffic or immersed in liquid.
- You should check that overhead powerlines have not been made unsafe, for example, by buildings or equipment being located under or near them, or by the poles being damaged.
- You need to ensure that electrical accessories, such as plugs, sockets and light fittings are not cracked, broken or otherwise damaged.
If you find a problem or suspect that a piece of equipment, switch or wiring is not electrically safe, you should contact a licensed electrical contractor to resolve the problem. It is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform any kind of electrical work.
It is recommended that a qualified person carries out an electrical safety examination of all fixed electrical equipment in your workplace at least every 10 years.
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