Top 10 Workplace Electrical Safety Tips

Electrical systems are essential to workplace operations, powering everything from lighting to machinery. Despite their importance, these systems can present serious safety risks if not properly maintained or handled. Electrical hazards have the potential to cause severe injuries, damage equipment, or even result in fatalities.

1. Carry out regular safety audits

Regular safety audits can help you catch potential hazards before they become serious. They should cover:

Identifying hazards, such as overloaded circuits, frayed wires, or improper grounding.
Checking equipment to ensure it is up to date and maintained properly.
Reviewing electrical systems to ensure they meet relevant safety codes and standards.

2. Choose equipment carefully

Ensure that all equipment is certified by recognised safety standards and is included in a maintenance schedule. Look for equipment with built-in safety features, such as circuit breakers or surge protectors.

3. Provide training

It is beneficial for all employees to have a general awareness of electrical safety and be able to recognise electrical hazards in their immediate environment, and what to do in an emergency.

For employees who work directly with electrical systems, specialist training should be provided.

4. Foster a positive safety culture

A proactive safety culture that encourages communication can help ensure everyone contributes to safety in the workplace. This can be achieved through regular safety committees, periodic safety alerts and messaging, and recognition and incentives for employees who contribute.

5. Consider smart technology

Look into relevant smart technology that can help you to monitor your equipment – such as monitoring systems, systems with built in alerts, and energy management tools.

6. Cord safety

Employees must handle electrical cords safely by following these guidelines:

Always unplug by pulling the plug itself, not the cord
Avoid pressing, bending, or overstretching cords
Never secure cords with staples
Do not suspend electrical equipment by its cord

7. Follow Lock Out/Tag Out procedure

In order to prevent accidents and ensure safety, electrical energy should be isolated by applying lockout and tagout procedures to the electrical system or its components, in accordance with your company’s Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) policy.

Learn more about LOTO here.

8. Prevent contact

Personnel who are not qualified should avoid contact with or proximity to electrical currents exceeding 50 volts. If working in the same room or area as equipment or hazards involving more than 50 volts, maintain a safe and appropriate distance. Ensure all electrical panel doors are closed and that no exposed wiring is present in your work area before starting any operations.

9. Qualified personnel

Only trained and qualified personnel should handle live electrical wires or hazardous electrical equipment. These tasks involve serious risks and must follow strict safety protocols. Any live

electrical hazard should be approached and managed exclusively by qualified individuals, and if a member of staff encounters an unattended live wire, they must report it immediately to the appropriate electrical safety team so they can secure the area with physical safety barriers.

10. Use physical barriers

Physical barriers should be used to protect employees from electrical hazards at all times – electrical panel cabinet doors should remain closed, and panels must be free of any openings that could expose employees to live wires.

If it is not possible to fully enclose an electrical hazard or close the cabinet, appropriate shields, barriers, or insulating materials should be installed to ensure safety.

Electrical Safety and Lock Out Tag Out training courses are essential tools in staying safe when working near or with electricity. Make sure you don’t miss out on our 10% off deal on these courses, available until the end of May. Simply enter the code ‘elec10’ at checkout to save!