Electrical Risk in the Workplace Policy and Procedure 

  1. Introduction 

Electricity is a critical utility service in today’s business environment and is very useful; however, it can be hazardous to persons and property if not controlled and managed properly. This policy is designed to offer a particular set of framework and principles for protection from the hazards associated with electricity in the workplace of [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. Electrical Risks in the Workplace Policy ensures that the electrical installations to the Trusts properties are regularly tested, as well as repaired so as to meet current safety standards.  

  1. Purpose/ Objective 

The overall aim of the policy is to give guidance to responsible persons and managers as to what must be done to comply with the electricity at the workplace and to provide projections to individuals from the risk of damage to their health caused by exposure to electricity. Thus, [Your COMPANY NAME] hopes to reduce the risk of such incidents.  

  1. Application 

This Electrical Risks in the Workplace Policy applies to all employees of [YOUR COMPANY NAME] and all individuals present inside the organisation.  

  1. Electrical risks  

Electrical risks refer to the risks of death, electrical shock or other injury caused directly or indirectly by electricity. The common electrical risks and causes of injury are: 

  1. Electrical shock causing injury or death. The electrical shock can be received directly or indirectly, tracking through or across a medium, or by arcing, or by indirect contact where a conducive part which is not normally energised becomes energised due to a fault.  

  1. Explosion, arcing or fire causing burns. These injuries are often suffered because explosion or arcing or both occur when high fault currents are present.   

  1. Electric shock from ‘step-and-touch’ potentials.  

  1. Toxic gasses causing illness or death. Arcing or burning associated with the electrical equipment may release different types of gasses and contaminates.  

  1. Fire resulting from an electrical fault.  

  1. Identifying the hazards  

Identifying electrical hazards involves finding all of the situations, tasks, and sequences of events, which can potentially cause harm. Hazards arising from electrical equipment and installations may arise from: 

  1. The design, construction, installation, maintenance, and testing of electrical installations and electrical equipment. 

  1. Inactive or inadequate electrical protection. 

  1. Design change and modification.  

  1. Electrical equipment is used in the area in which the atmosphere presents a risk to health and safety from explosion or fire, like confined spaces. 

  1. The age of electrical installations and electrical equipment. 

  1.  Where and how electrical equipment is used. This equipment can be subject to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected lifespan.  

  1. The types of electrical equipment, like ‘plug in’- electrical equipment, which can be moved around from site to site, including extension leads – are particularly subject to damage.  

 

  1. Risk Assessment  

Risk assessment involves considering what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard and the likelihood of it happening. A risk assessment helps to determine: 

  1. The severity of an electrical risk 

  1. Whether existing control measures are effective or not 

  1. What action needs to be taken to control the risk 

  1. How urgently the action needs to be taken  

 

  1. Hazard Control 

The following control methods should be used to prevent the occurrence of electricity-related incidents: 

Engineering controls 

  1. All electrical distribution panels, disconnects, breakers, junction boxes, and switches must be completely enclosed. 

  1. Water-tight enclosures should be used in case any of these components could possibly be exposed to moisture. 

  1. Structure barriers need to be used in order to accidental damage to electrical components. 

  1. Conduits should be supported for their entire length, non-electrical attachments to conduits are prohibited. 

  1. Non-rigid electrical cords should be strain relief whenever necessary.   

 

Administrative controls  

  1. Only trained and authorized employees should service or repair electrical equipment.  

  1. Contractors should be licensed to perform electrical work 

  1. Physical barriers should be used to prevent unauthorized persons from entering areas where new installation or repair of electrical equipment or component is being performed 

  1.  Only authorized employees should enter electrical distribution room 

  1. All electrical control devices should be labelled properly  

Work practice controls 

  1. Employees covered under this policy should wear electrically rated safety boots or shoes 

  1. Use only the tools that are insulated properly 

  1. Electrical-rated matting should be placed in front of all electricity-distribution panels  

 

  1. Education and training  

The training should identify the electrical safety training needs of the employees, having regard to: 

  1. The kind of work carried out by the employees 

  1. The kind of risk associated with the work at the time the information, training, or instruction is provided, and  

  1. The control measure implemented  

The following types of training should be considered for this, including: 

  1. Induction training- to ensure the employees new to a job are trained on safe systems of work, as well as other relevant health and safety matters.   

  1. Supervisor and management training- to make sure that the safety issues are properly managed at the workplace. 

  1. Work-specific training- to ensure that the employees carrying out a particular work are trained on any electrical or another risk specific to the task. 

  1. First-aid training- to ensure appropriate procedures are followed for administrating first aid, like proper treatment for electric shock. 

  1. Emergency training- to ensure employees know what to do in an emergency condition.  

  1. Responsibilities 

Responsibilities of the Employer: 

The employer should be responsible for  

  1. Monitoring compliance with the council’s legislative responsibilities for electrical safety  

  1. Setting objectives, targets and performance indicators for any electrical safety program    

  1. Budgetary expenditure  

  1. Checking that reasonably foreseeable electrical safety hazards within each department are identified, assessed, and controlled when elimination is not practicable 

  1. Monitoring the hazard register and enforcing close out of items when required 

  1. Reviewing the effectiveness of electrical safety process 

Responsibilities of the Supervisor: 

The supervisor is accountable for  

  1. Giving information, training, instruction, and supervision to employees and other stakeholders. 

  1. Implementing controls by using the hierarchy of control, and evaluating and reviewing them for effectiveness. 

  1. Communicating the outcome of risk assessments within the department or work groups and across the organisation as required.  

  1. Checking that any newly purchased electrical equipment is tagged on entry to service when required 

  1. Logging electrical safety issues with maintenance as soon as they are identified 

  1. Retaining records when required 

  1. Seeking expert advice when a need is identified  

 

Responsibilities of the employee: 

Employees should be responsible for  

  1. Attending training when required 

  1. Following any instruction related to electrical safety 

  1. Use only the electrical components that are within their level of competency  

  1. Using, testing, and maintaining a portable RCD as instructed 

  1. Reporting any safety problems or hazardous situations immediately to their managers  

  1. Implementation and Review 

[YOUR COMPANY NAME] will review and can make changes to this policy and procedures as needed at a regular interval. 

Date: