ELECTRICAL SAFETY POLICY

PURPOSE

To set out the requirements in relation to ensuring the safe use of electricity at work.

SCOPE

This guidance procedure describes the responsibilities of managers, and others who have more
specific roles, with regard to staff using electricity and electrical equipment at work.

POLICY

The Children’s Services department (school) intend to provide a safe and healthy working
environment and safe practices at all times. It is committed to reducing the risk of accident or injury
to all employees and to other persons who may be affected by its activities. The department will take
all reasonable and practicable steps to comply with all relevant legislation and best practice regarding
the safe use of electricity in the workplace and will carry out risk assessments and provide adequate
training and supervision where required.

REFERENCES TO LEGAL, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER EXTERNAL DOCUMENTS,

INCLUDING RESEARCH

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES DEPARTMENT REFERENCES

Corporate policy (Electricity): http://intranet.hants.gov.uk/hrsafety/polstan/electricity.htm

HSE Free Leaflet (INDG321) (Electrical Safety & You): http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg231.pdf
HSE Free Leaflet (INDG236) (Electrical Maintenance): http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf
HSE Free Leaflet (INDG354) (Safe Electrical Testing): http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg354.pdf
PBRS Publication: Electricity at Work - Guidance for Managers
Children’s Services Safety Guidance Procedure SGP 01/07 (Risk Assessment)

DEFINITIONS

Electrical equipment includes anything used or installed for use to generate, provide and distribute
electrical energy. The term electrical system refers to all the constituent parts of electricity supply
including electrical equipment. Electrical portable equipment means anything connected by plug and
socket to the mains including transportable items such as photocopiers.

ROLES

The Headteacher is responsible for implementing this procedure.

Page 1 of 7
PROCEDURE

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

3. STRUCTURE & CONTENT

4. RISK ASSESSMENT

5. INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION & TRAINING

6. APPROPRIATE SUPERVISION

7. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

8. MONITORING & REVISION

9. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

APPENDICES 1 Portable appliance testing (PAT) arrangements

2 Basic electrical safety standards
3 Suggested frequencies for inspection and testing of electrical equipment

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Electricity provides the power for much of the equipment we use at work and most of the
essential technology. We take it for granted and appreciate the convenience of flicking a
switch and getting immediate, heat, light and power. We expect that once we connect an
appliance to the mains electricity supply the energy will be there and all will be well.

1.2 Using electricity is now so commonplace that we can become complacent about it. Electric
shocks can kill and there are almost a thousand deaths every year from careless misuse of
electricity with many more injuries as well although they do not all happen in the workplace.

1.3 Fires in the workplace and elsewhere are often attributable to old, poorly maintained
electrical equipment and faulty wiring and the strength and capability of electrical equipment
should not be exceeded in such a way as to give rise to danger

1.4 Regular inspection and planned preventative maintenance of electrical wiring and electrical
equipment is essential for safety as are clear instructions for the users.

1.5 Portable electrical appliances are subject to their own inspection and testing regime which is
detailed in this policy (see Appendix 1).

2. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Employers owe a duty of care for the health, safety and welfare of all employees whilst they
are at work and to other people who may be put at risk by their activities.

2.2 Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the
health and safety of their employees at work.

Page 2 of 7
2.3 Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Every employer must take precautions against the risk of death or injury from use of
electricity during work or near electrical systems (electrical installations and equipment).

3. STRUCTURE & CONTENT

3.1 This procedure explains the actions required and the performance standards expected of
all those managers who have responsibility for employees who use electricity at work.

4. RISK ASSESSMENT

4.1 Line managers will carry out a risk assessment of electricity usage as detailed below:

 consider the tasks involved in detail

 identify potential hazards
(eg. possible contact with live parts, faults that could cause fires, use in damp or wet
conditions, heavy usage of equipment that causes damage over time)
 evaluate the risk of injury occurring
 eliminate the hazard at source where possible, or
 introduce control measures to minimise the risk
(eg. use of residual current devices “RCD” or other low voltage devices)
 monitor and review control measures regularly

4.2 The risk assessment should include:

 the fitting-out and layout of the workplace

 the form, range and use of electrical equipment
 the visible cabling and accessories in use
(eg. extension leads and multi-socket outlets)
 the organisation of processes and activities
 the extent of health and safety training provided, or found to be necessary

4.3 Managers should seek help and advice from Property Services advisors, office premises
managers or Children’s Services Health & Safety Advisors when encountering problems with
compiling any aspect of their risk assessments or determining appropriate control measures.

5. INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION & TRAINING

5.1 Managers will make arrangements for suitable induction training for employees that will
include information and instruction about the use of any electrical equipment involved in their
job role.

5.2 Any new electrical equipment supplied to employees for use at work will need to have
appropriate training provided to ensure a full understanding of use, adjustment and care of
the equipment.

6. APPROPRIATE SUPERVISION

6.1 Managers will provide appropriate supervision where any workplace activity or task involving
the use of electricity has been identified as being in need of some specific on-the-job
instruction and training.

6.2 No persons, particularly young persons, should be engaged on any work activity involving
the use of electricity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent
danger, unless they are adequately supervised.

7. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

Page 3 of 7
7.1 Employees have a general duty to take care of their own health, safety and welfare and that
of other people who may be affected by their actions.

7.2 Employees must co-operate with their managers by:

 attending relevant training

 using recommended procedures designed for their safety
 making proper use of electrical equipment
 reporting any loss or defect of electrical equipment
 reporting any concerns about health and safety to their line manager
 reporting any accidents or incidents promptly
 reporting any bad practice they observe involving the use of electricity
 not tampering with or altering electrical equipment to inhibit its proper
performance or safe use
 not introducing unauthorised electrical equipment into the workplace

8. MONITORING & REVISION

8.1 This procedure will be monitored and reviewed to ensure that the corporate and
departmental standards are being achieved. A representative sample of workplaces will be
selected to monitor implementation of this policy

9. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

9.1 To comply with this safety guidance procedure, the following standards must be met:

Line managers will:

 read this guidance thoroughly and follow the recommended procedures (to be done
in conjunction with those contained in the PBRS Managers’ Guide to Electricity at
Work)
 assess and reduce the risk of injury from any hazardous operations where electricity
and/or electrical equipment is used
 make checks to ensure that electrical equipment is obtained from an approved
supplier and that it carries the relevant British Standard and/or CE marks where
appropriate
 make arrangements to train any employees who have to use electrical equipment, as
found necessary
 provide relevant information to employees who use electricity so that they can use it
without endangering their health
 ensure that electrical equipment is kept in a clean and serviceable condition
 make arrangements to deal swiftly with any reported faults on electrical equipment
 ensure, so far as is possible, that anyone who is engaged in repairs, maintenance,
installation or inspection of electrical equipment and systems is qualified and
competent to do so
 remove from use immediately any electrical equipment that appears faulty or could
present a risk of injury to employees
 ensure that there are arrangements in place to inspect, service and maintain portable
electrical equipment as necessary (see Appendix 1)
 ensure, so far as is possible, the compatibility of electrical equipment in
circumstances where more than one item of equipment is in use together
 ensure that portable electrical appliances are, whenever possible, plugged into a
separate switch socket outlet
 replace essential electrical equipment when necessary through loss, damage or wear
and tear
 ensure that no person is engaged on any work activity involving the use of electricity
where technical knowledge is necessary to prevent danger unless they are
adequately supervised
 review risk assessments regularly and whenever working practices change, or after a
serious incident involving the use of electricity

Page 4 of 7
  seek appropriate help when they have any doubts about the continuing safe use of
electricity or electrical equipment in their area of control
 ensure staff are aware of basic electrical safety standards (see Appendix2)
______________________________________________________________________

Appendix 1
PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING (PAT) ARRANGEMENTS

1. All electrical equipment, other than battery operated items, which is not the subject of a
maintenance contract must be routinely inspected and tested. This includes:

 televisions
 mains radios
 hi-fi’s
 hairdryers
 table lamps
 computers
 printers

2. These portable electrical appliances should be visually inspected on a regular basis to look for
worn and frayed cables, loose or cracked plugs and any other obvious damage. Any items
that are frequently used by multiple users, such as photocopiers, vending machines, hot
trolleys, etc. should be tested and inspected at least once a year.

3. Testing should only be carried out by a competent person.

4. Residents in homes who wish to bring in their own appliances must have them inspected by
the manager and if there are concerns about their safety, they must only be used after
testing by a competent. Electrical medical equipment must be subject to the same checks.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 2
BASIC ELECTRICAL SAFETY STANDARDS

1. Portable electrical appliances that plug into the electrical mains should each have a
separate switch socket outlet. Where that is not immediately possible, a fused multi-
socket outlet may be used but not an adaptor plug.

2. Extension leads are especially liable to damage and should be visually inspected regularly to
look for kinks, worn and frayed cables, loose or cracked plugs and other obvious damage.

3. If checking plugs, make sure that the cable casing enters the plug so that no wires are
exposed and correct fuses have been fitted.

4. DSE equipment often has its cabling and connectors hidden or inaccessible to the user.
However, all users should carry out periodic visual inspections of the parts they can see to
ensure that obvious faults or defects are identified.

5. Any electrical equipment suspected of being faulty or dangerous should be switched off and
taken out of use immediately.

6. Where the safety of an electrical system is uncertain (eg. in someone’s home) a residual
current device (RCD) should be used. This will monitor the supply and quickly break the
circuit and protect the user if there is a fault in the system.

7. Switch off any machines that do not need to be left on overnight.

8. Read any manuals provided with electrical equipment and if still unsure about safe use ask
your manager for assistance.

9. Only install equipment and electrical components if you’re competent and authorised to do
so.

Page 5 of 7
 10. Don’t overload electrical systems by putting too much equipment on the same
circuit

PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING ITEMS THAT FAIL A PAT TEST OR VISUAL INSPECTION

Any faults should be reported to the line manager or Headteacher.

The equipment must be taken out of use immediately; and labelled as faulty.
If considered necessary the plug should also be removed.

The equipment should not be used until it is repaired and then tested by a competent
person.

Equipment should be stored securely in Caretakers locked room or disposed of and

replaced.

Page 6 of 7
_________________________________________________________________________________

Appendix 3
SUGGESTED FREQUENCIES FOR INSPECTION AND TESTING
The first step is to create your register of equipment and itemise it into known electrical categories.
You may need some help from a competent person to do this, especially when identifying double
insulated equipment. If the equipment is heavily used or used in harsh environments, then you
should reduce the inspection and testing interval accordingly. For further advice or if you have any
concerns, please contact: Children’s Services Health & Safety Team.

CATEGORY & TYPE OF EXAMPLES OF INTERVAL BETWEEN INTERVAL BETWEEN

EQUIPMENT ELECTRICAL VISUAL INSPECTIONS COMBINED TESTING
EQUIPMENT & INSPECTION
Battery operated (less Torches, attack alarms None None
than 20 volts
Battery operated complex Forklift trucks Weekly 6 months
equipment
Extra low voltage Telephones, some desk None None
equipment lights, musical keyboards
Information technology Desktop computer, 1-4 years according to None if double insulated
laptop, printer, how often moved (in or otherwise 3-5 years (in
photocopier, fax schools – not more than schools – none if double
once a year) insulated or 3 yearly
Audio visual equipment Television, video/DVD 1-4 years according to None if double insulated
recorder, audio tape how often moved (in or otherwise 3-5 years (in
player, projector schools – not more than schools – none if double
once a year) insulated or 3 yearly
Equipment connected by Toaster, washing Annual 2 years
plug & socket – not hand machine, microwave
held & rarely moved oven, bench mounted
workshop equipment eg.
drills, wheels
Equipment connected by Portable heater, desk Annual 4 years if double
plug & socket – not hand fan, kettle insulated otherwise every
held but frequently moved 2 years (in schools – if
double insulated every 3
years otherwise annual)
Fixed equipment Electric hand dryer, kiln, Annual 3-5 years (in schools –
permanently connected to cooker, some workshop not more than 3 years)
electrical supply equipment eg. pillar drill,
circular saw
Hand held equipment Hair dryer, food mixer, Annual 4 years if double
soldering iron, hand insulated otherwise every
tools, floor cleaners 2 years (in schools – if
double insulated every 3
years otherwise annual)
Cables or leads Any cable or electrical 4 months-4 years At least every two years
lead connected to according to how often (in schools – at least
electrical equipment the equipment is moved once per year)
and type of environment
(recommended each
term in schools)
Extension leads, gang Mobile cables and leads 4 months-4 years At least every two years
sockets used to reach power according to how often (in schools – at least
socket the equipment is moved once per year)
and type of environment
(recommended each
term in schools)

Policy Agreed: January 2016

Review Due January 2020

Page 7 of 7