A Guide to Electrical Safety Checks at Work

As an employer, it's your legal responsibility to ensure collective employee protection and safety. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 stipulates all employer responsibilities in this regard, and within that lies the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

While most commercial and industrial spaces can go years without any severe electrical faults or issues, that is not to say that they shouldn't be mitigated by any means necessary. If not properly managed, electricity can have severe consequences, with faulty installations and equipment sometimes being the root cause of fires, explosions, electrocutions, and serious human injuries or even death.

Conducting regular electrical safety checks is therefore vital; having them professionally tested will ensure that all personnel and your business remain harm- and risk-free. As part of any company's health and safety policy, regular electrical testing and assessments should be conducted in line with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations. Read on to find out the types of electrical risks that could impact workplaces, assessment recommendations, and best practices to ensure complete electrical safety.

Key Assessments and Inspections

Maintaining electrical safety requires a multifaceted approach involving both proactive checks and reactive incident investigation. There are two main categories of tests you can conduct to assess the safety and stability of electrical systems. They are:

Fixed Wire Testing

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

Fixed wire testing (commonly referred to as EICR testing) refers to the assessment of the main electrical wiring systems under BS 7671. Detailed periodic electrical inspections will usually involve visual inspections, operational testing (including RCDs and harmonic disturbances in line with G5/5) and reporting of all compiled faults and issues.

PAT testing is a process where all electrical appliances and equipment undergo individual testing and evaluation to ensure they are safe to use. All portable appliances need to be in good working order, while being reliable for earth continuity, insulation resistance, and polarity. If any problems are identified, the appliance must be repaired or replaced.

While not compulsory, it's recommended that all commercial property owners conduct PAT tests every few months, depending on the nature and use of the appliance or portable device. Meanwhile, fixed wiring installations must be tested and inspected every 5 years or sooner if there is a substantial change in the use or structural layout of the building. In other words, if any renovations or alterations have affected the electrical wiring composition, a fixed wire test must be commissioned.

Assessing Risks: Shock, Fire and Explosion

Electricity has been recognised as a significant workplace hazard if not properly maintained. Electrical deaths have contributed to alarming numbers of fatal injuries to British workers in 2022 and 2023, according to recent Statista data. Some of the main risks of faulty electrical wiring or devices include:

Electric shocks -: Direct contact with live parts or