Transcript Electrical Safety Seminar for Local Authorities.

Health and Safety
Electrical Myths – True or False?
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There are safe voltages, 240 Volt
cannot hurt you.
You cannot get a shock if the circuit is
fitted with a RCD.
You cannot get an explosion from a low
voltage circuit.
Cable core marking can always be
believed.
All records are right and available.
Electrical Myths - Heard this one?
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We haven’t looked at it for years so we
don’t need to look at it this year.
People always leave things in a safe
condition.
Somebody knows what’s going on.
It has always been done this way so it
must be OK.
I have been here over 30 years so I
know.
Why Manage Electrical Safety?
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It can be dangerous
It pays in the long run
It helps the business run
smoothly and safely
Clients will expect it
Employees will expect it
The law demands it
It can be managed easily when
regularly carried out
Risks from Electricity
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240 Volts can kill
Electricity can cause:
Shock
 Burn
 Explosion
 Falls
 Fires
 Unexpected start-ups
Unsafe installations can kill
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Legal Requirements
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Main law is the Health and Safety at
Work Act 1974
Employers duties (in today’s context):
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Provision and maintenance of safe plant
and systems of work
Ensure employees are competent
Manufacturers/suppliers have duties to
supply safe plant and provide information
‘So far as is reasonably practicable’
Legal Requirements
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Regulations made
under the Act:
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Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989
Systems to be safe
 Use of safe systems of
work
 Live Working
 Competence
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Management of Safety
A Structured Approach is
required  Ownership and the role of
the dutyholder
 A policy giving clear
responsibilities
 Safety rules and control of
work
 Keeping up with change
Management Inspection (2)
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Design
Procurement
Construction and Maintenance
Site Safety
Policy
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Is there any?
Who is responsible?
How is it developed?
Safety rules and
control of work
Organisation
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How is the business
set out?
Management structure
Scope of work
Disciplinary and
capability issues
Contractors
What competence?
Competence (1)
 Basic
requirements for
competence –
Attitude
 Skill
 Knowledge
 Qualification
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