Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace

December 20, 2024Sales Uniprint

Electrocution is the second leading cause of traumatic fatalities in many states across Australia. There are so many potential electrical risks that it’s essential workers are made aware of and know how to manage them to eliminate the possibility of a serious accident.

Electrical risks and causes of injury can include:

Electric shock that results in serious injury or death. This may be via direct or indirect contact or tracking across a medium.
Electrical Burns. These can be caused by arcing, explosion or fire.
Toxic Gases. Burning and arcing can cause electrical equipment to release gases and contaminants which can cause serious harm.
Fire. Fires often happen as the result of an electrical fault or explosion.

As you can see, managing electrical risks in the workplace is seriously important. The good news is that there are several simple steps that workers, workplace safety officers and site supervisors can take to reduce electrical accidents in the workplace.

Common Electrical Hazards in The Workplace

Workplaces are busy, with lots of equipment and people coming and going. Such places can easily get disorganised if the right measures aren’t in place to make it safe. It’s important to carry out regular health and safety assessments to ensure sites and equipment are safe for use. This can help to prevent common electrical hazards such as:

Contact with Live Wires. Unmanaged live wires can cause shocks, burns and even electrocution.
Faulty Equipment. It’s essential to maintain equipment to ensure it’s safe for use. Faulty electrical equipment could result in serious accidents for both those using it and those nearby.
Overloaded Electrical Circuits. An overloaded circuit is when too much energy passes through a particular part of the circuit or the flow is prevented. As well as blowing fuses, there’s an increased risk of fire with an overloaded circuit.
Environmental Factors. Construction sites are often outdoors, which means that machinery is exposed to water, dust, cement, plaster and changing temperatures. These can all have serious effects on how the equipment or machinery functions which can cause serious problems. Ideally, wires and cables should be made of corrosion-resistant materials and checked regularly.
Working at Heights. As well as the added risk of falling, it also means you’re working near overhead power lines which can be very dangerous.

Best Ways of Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace

There are several things that everyone can do to ensure electrical safety in the workplace.

Training

It goes without saying, but only trained and experienced electricians should work with electrics on a worksite. They’re in control of maintaining the safety of themselves and those around them.

Promote Awareness

All workers on site need to be educated about electrical risks. They must be trained to use hazard report cards correctly which will ensure the health and safety of everyone. This is especially true with electrical risks.

Identify Potential Electrical Hazards

Early identification is one of the best ways to prevent accidents from happening in the workplace. When it comes to the identification of electrical hazards, the following points should be considered:

Check that the atmosphere doesn’t present a risk of fire or explosion, for example in confined spaces.
Age and condition of the equipment being used.
Type of electrical equipment. Plug-in machinery which is moved around a lot is more liable to damage. This includes extension leads.
Design change of modification to original plans.
Work carried out near electrical installations, including overhead lines or underground electrical services.
Inadequate electrical protection and PPE.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is a must for all those working with electrical equipment and circuits. Standard PPE for electricians includes:

Insulated gloves
Hearing protection
Electrical safety boots
Safety glasses
Arc flash suits
Face shields

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures

Machines and equipment need to go through regular maintenance to ensure they’re working correctly and to reduce possible problems and accidents. When this is the case, a safety procedure called Lockout Tagout (LOTO) needs to be set into motion. This stops the machinery from being used and ensures the release of any stored energy. When the machinery is no longer in use, it’s then locked and tagged to ensure no one uses it until safe to do so.

Routine Inspections and Maintenance

An electrical safety inspection is one of the best ways of managing electrical risks in the workplace. Equipment and machinery should be checked regularly to make sure they’re running smoothly and that there are no possible faults or early indications of one that could lead to an accident.

Rental equipment should be thoroughly checked before and throughout use. Other equipment must be checked depending on how and where it’s used.

Carry Out Risk Assessments

Risk assessments should be part of daily life in the workplace. They’re an excellent way to identify potential electrical hazards before they become a large problem. A hazard report book is one of the best ways for workers to quickly and effectively recognise potential risks, isolate them and follow protocols for their repair.

Hazard report books can help workers and site supervisors consider the following:

The severity of the electrical risk (for example, would direct contact cause electrocution, fire, explosion or burns?)
How effective existing control measures are
The next steps to follow to control the electrical risk
The urgency of the action
The frequency workers are exposed to the risk
Conditions that electrical equipment is used in (e.g. wet conditions or confined spaces)
Skill and experience needed to resolve hazard

Use of Warning Signs

Signs are a great and very visual way to warn or remind workers of potential risks. Bright colours and informative icons can quickly attract attention and prevent accidents from happening.

Role of Take 5 Safety Books

UniPrint’s Take 5 Safety Books are the perfect way for workers to effectively identify electrical hazards and proactively resolve them. They’re specifically designed to be easy to use, quick and efficient. We can even print them on stone paper or with waterproof covers to ensure durability and that they can be used in any environment.

We also offer customisable Take 5 Safety Books. Companies can include colours, logos, emergency numbers, names and protocols to be followed. Giving workers customised safety books is a great way of making risk reporting feel relevant to them and ensuring that they complete the tasks regularly.