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.




 

Contractor sustains electric shock after failure to isolate power supply.

A self-employed contractor sustained 415 volt electric shock injuries from the bare electrical wires supplying an overhead travelling crane.

 


 

 

A Worker received 240 Volts

Worker received shock whilst using a pressure water washing machine
A worker received a 240 Volt electric shock whilst using a pressure water washing machine. An investigation found the company had failed to:

a) Maintain the washer,
b) Provide a safe system of work
c) Notify the existence of the factory to HSE.

 

There was a high potential for serious injury from contact with 240 Volt electricity supply when using water washing equipment. For more information please visit:

www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/washingmachine.htm

 

What happens if you don't test?


An employee sustained a 240 volt electric shock that broke both shoulders whilst attempting to test a newly manufactured appliance that had been incorrectly wired to the mains lead. Suitable precautions had not been taken to prevent electrical injury to employees engaged in testing work on electrical appliances.

 

Employees were exposed to live wires at 240 Volts ac, there was exposed metal in the test area, and there was no PAT test of mains lead prior to live test and no risk assessment for electrical testing work. The employers were prosecuted under The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (No 14), The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (No 3) paragraph 1 and received a fine. Case study from the Health and Safety Executive web site.