1.2 Reducing the risk:
To reduce unacceptable risks from the electrical equipment in the workplace, employers should:

Ensure people working on or with electrical equipment or systems are ‘competent’ for the task (Competent means having suitable training, skill, and knowledge for the task) to prevent injury to themselves and others.

Ensure the electrical installation is safe by making sure that:

• New electrical systems are installed to a suitable standard, eg BS 7671 Requirements for electrical installations, and then maintain them in a safe condition.
• Existing installations are maintained in a safe condition.
• Enough socket outlets are provided to avoid overloading socket outlets by using adaptors which can cause fire.

Provide safe and suitable equipment. In doing so, the employer should:

• Choose equipment that is suitable for its working environment.
• Where possible, eliminate electrical risks by using air, hydraulic or handpowered tools which are especially useful in harsh conditions.
• Make sure that equipment is safe when supplied and that it is then maintained in a safe condition.
• Provide an accessible and clearly identified switch near each fixed machine to cut off power in an emergency.
• For portable equipment, use socket outlets which are close by so that equipment can be easily disconnected in an emergency.
• Ensure that the ends of flexible cables always have the outer sheath of the cable firmly clamped to stop the wires (particularly the earth) pulling out of the terminals.
• Replace damaged sections of cable completely.
• Use proper connectors or cable couplers to join lengths of cable and do not use strip connector blocks covered in insulating tape.
• Ensure that some types of equipment are double insulated. These are often marked with a ‘double-square’ symbol .The supply leads have only two wires – live (brown) and neutral (blue) and make sure they are properly connected if the plug is not moulded.
• Protect light bulbs and other equipment which could easily be damaged in use.
• Ensure that in potentially flammable or explosive atmospheres, only special electrical equipment designed for these areas are used. A specialist may be needed for this purpose.

Limit the supply voltage to the lowest needed to get the job done. For instance:

• Temporary lighting can be run at lower voltages, eg 12, 25, 50 or 110 volts.
• Where electrically powered tools are used, battery-operated ones are safest.
• Portable tools designed to be run from a 110 volt centre-tapped-to-earth supply can be made readily available.

Use an RCD (residual current device) for equipment operating at 230 volts or higher. An RCD is a device which detects some, but not all, faults in the electrical system and rapidly switches off the supply. The best place for an RCD is built into the main switchboard or the socket outlet, as this means that the supply cables are permanently protected. If this is not possible, a plug incorporating an RCD or a plug-in RCD adaptor can also provide additional safety. RCDs for protecting people have a rated tripping current (sensitivity) of not more than 30 milliamps (mA).