Electrical Safety

Phase Blue conforms to all IEE Wiring Regulations. The IEE prepares regulations for the safety of electrical installations for buildings, the IEE Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) now having become the standard for the UK and many other countries.

The IEE provides guidance on the application of the installation regulations through publications focused on the various activities from design of the installation through to final test and then maintenance.

Safety Outlined

INTRODUCTION : Provided by the HSE

Electricity can kill. Each year about 1000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Around 30 of these are fatal. Most of these fatalities arise from contact with overhead or underground power cables.

Even non-fatal shocks can cause severe and permanent injury. Shocks from faulty equipment may lead to falls from ladders, scaffolds or other work platforms. Those using electricity may not be the only ones at risk: poor electrical installations and faulty electrical appliances can lead to fires which may also cause death or injury to others. Most of these accidents can be avoided by careful planning and straightforward precautions.


WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS?

The main hazards are:

contact with live parts causing shock and burns (normal mains voltage, 230 volts AC, can kill);

faults which could cause fires; fire or explosion where electricity could be the source of ignition in a potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere, eg in a spray paint booth.


ASSESSING THE RISK

Hazard means anything which can cause harm. Risk is the chance, great or small, that someone will actually be harmed by the hazard.

The first stage in controlling risk is to carry out a risk assessment in order to identify what needs to be done. (This is a legal requirement for all risks at work.) When carrying out a risk assessment: identify the hazards; decide who might be harmed, and how; evaluate the risks arising from the hazards and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or more should be taken; if you have five or more employees, record any significant findings; review your assessment from time to time and revise it if necessary.

Electrical Safety Checklist

Today, most electrical wiring is hidden away but here are a few points which you can easily check out yourself.

	Is your wiring more that 15 years old?
	Any electrical work been carried out by amateurs and never checked?
	Do you use electrical items outdoors?
	Fuses blow regularly and for no obvious reason?
	Need to use adaptors routinely to run your appliances?
	Has wiring been checked within the last 10 years?
	Do some of your lights use the old, twisted type flex?
	Do you usually have to use extension cables?
	Do you have sockets and round pin plugs in the home?
	Are your sockets and plugs getting quite hot?

If you are worried about any electrical aspect mentioned above, don't panic! You can contact us either by phone or by filling out my online quote form.