Lusaka Business and Technical College
LESSON 12 Working with Electricity
Program Certificate in Electrical Engineering
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Subject Workshop Processes and Practices
Intake
Instructor D. Noyoo 0973575238
While the workplace may not seem a high-risk environment for
electrical injuries, all businesses should consider electrical safety.
Electrical hazards can cause life-changing injuries or death, but
they are unlikely to cause harm if properly managed.
What are an employer’s responsibilities?
For employers, maintaining a healthy and safe workplace is vital –
and electrical safety is part of that. Employers risk fines for not
complying with the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) so it is
essential to be aware of electrical hazards in the workplace.
Every year,
around 1,000 accidents at work involving electricity are
reported to the Health and Safety Executive and
about 30 people die from injuries caused by electrical
hazards.
Under the law, employers must make sure all electrical
equipment is safe. It should be checked, properly installed and
regularly inspected and maintained by a qualified, competent
person.
Employers must carry out an electrical risk assessment of any
electrical hazards. The assessment should detail who could be
harmed by electrical hazards, how the level of risk has been
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established and the precautions that have been taken to control
the risk. You must provide staff with training on electrical safety in
the workplace.
What injuries can be caused by electrical hazards?
The main injuries caused by electrical hazards are:
Electric shock: Electric shocks occur when someone
comes into direct contact with an electrical current,
leading to burns, muscle contractions, and even cardiac
arrest.
Burns: Electrical burns can occur when electrical
current passes through the body, causing damage to
the skin and underlying tissues.
Arc flash: An arc flash is a sudden explosion of
electrical energy. This can cause severe burns, shrapnel
injuries, and even deafness.
Thermal burns: Electrical equipment and wiring can
get hot when overloaded or malfunctioning, leading to
thermal burns if touched.
Falls and other secondary injuries: Sometimes an
electrical hazard can cause a worker to lose balance or
fall from heights.
Muscular injuries: Muscle contractions due to electric
shocks can result in sprains, strains, or other muscular
injuries.
Cardiac-related issues: Severe electric shocks can
disrupt the normal rhythms of the heart, leading to
cardiac arrest or other heart-related issues.
Respiratory issues: Inhaling smoke or fumes from
electrical fires can cause respiratory problems,
especially if toxic materials are involved.
Eight common electrical hazards
Many appliances and equipment in the workplace present an
electrical hazard, but the most common hazards are:
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1. Damaged equipment and power tools
2. Frayed, loose or exposed electrical cables
3. Using electrical equipment near water or with wet hands
4. Overhead power lines
5. Incorrect use of replacement fuses
6. Overloaded sockets
7. Smoke and smells from equipment
8. Improper grounding
Who is most at risk from electrical hazards?
Engineers, electricians, engineers and overhead line workers are
among the professions that are most exposed to electrical
hazards. Installation, repairs, inspection and maintenance of
electrical equipment are common activities that lead to accidents.
Agricultural workers are also at high risk because machinery or
equipment can come into contact with overhead power lines on
farmland.
On average, one farm worker dies this way each year, and in the
five years to 2018, there were 1,140 near-miss incidents involving
machinery and equipment contacting overhead electric power
lines where serious injury or death was a possibility.
Most workplaces have some electrical hazards, though. The high
volume of electrical equipment in most offices can expose
workers to shocks, burns and fire.
Eight ways to prevent electrical accidents
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By following these precautions and promoting a culture of
electrical safety in the workplace, employers can significantly
reduce the risk of electrical accidents and create a safer working
environment for employees.
1. Raise employee awareness of electrical hazards
Employers should make sure all employees are aware of electrical
safety at work and electrical safety procedures and guidelines.
Employees should be encouraged to notice risks and if they spot
faulty equipment or another electrical hazard, to report it to a
supervisor or whoever is in charge. The equipment should stop
being used immediately and be checked by a qualified person.
To prevent electrical accidents in the workplace, employers should
provide proper training to employees who work with electrical
equipment to ensure they understand how to use it safely.
Help keep your workplace safe from electrical hazards with
our Electrical Safety online training course. Tailored to employees,
it helps staff identify electrical hazards at work and understand
how to manage them. Our comprehensive course, IOSH Working
Safely, also covers electrical hazards in the workplace.
2. Prevent overloading sockets
Ensure there are enough electrical sockets to meet the needs of
the workplace to prevent overloading. Discourage the use of
multiple adaptors or extension cords on a single socket.
3. Ensure proper use and maintenance
Emphasize the importance of switching off and unplugging
electrical appliances before cleaning or performing maintenance
on them. Ensure that all electrical appliances are turned off at the
end of the workday.
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4. Manage electrical cables
Regularly inspect and manage electrical cables to avoid tripping
hazards.
Encourage employees to watch for trailing cables and secure
them to prevent tripping or falling accidents. Make sure electrical
cords do not run through high-traffic areas, across doorways, or
under carpets, as they could become damaged or pose a tripping
hazard.
5. Ensure employees working with electricity are qualified
Ensure that employees working with electricity are competent and
qualified to perform their tasks safely:
‘No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical
knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger or,
where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or
experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be
appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.’
6. Maintain dry conditions
Keep floors and work surfaces dry to prevent electrical equipment
from coming into contact with water or other liquids.
Implement proper drainage systems and address any leaks
promptly.
7. Maintain clearance around electrical panels
Maintain a minimum of three feet of clearance in front of electrical
panels to allow for easy access in case of emergencies or
maintenance.
8. Carry out regular inspections and maintenance
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Schedule regular inspections and maintenance of electrical
equipment to identify and address potential hazards before they
become serious issues.
