Electrical work in construction can be extremely dangerous and serious concerns have been raised regarding electrical safety. Statistics from the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) revealed that four employees lost their lives due to being electrocuted in the last quarter of 2021. Death and injury on a construction site can be minimised by creating a comprehensive electrical safety plan.

An electrical safety plan should include:

1. Performing a risk assessment

A risk assessment identifies potential hazards associated with construction activities and allows an organisation to plan accordingly. This prevents accidents and reduces the overall risk that employees face.

2. Identifying dangerous work areas

Work areas that pose electrical hazards should be regularly identified and recorded in a specific document.  The document can include images of the hazardous areas, information on the areas and advice on how to work safely in these areas. This resource should be updated often, stored in the site file and regularly shared with employees.

3. Training ALL employees on the use of electrical equipment

All electrical professionals require training on how to correctly use equipment and tools even if they are experienced employees. Repeatedly performing a task can sometimes lead to an employee developing unsafe habits regarding how they use equipment or tools. A refresher training course will remind employees of the correct methods for using equipment and tools.

4. Discouraging employees from working in rain or near water

Working with electrical equipment near water or when it is raining, significantly increases the risk of being electrocuted. This risk is compounded when equipment is poorly insulated or has not been properly maintained. While equipment should always be inspected before it is issued to employees for use, every attempt should be made not to use electrical equipment near water or in rain.

5. Ensuring that employees wear personal protective equipment (PPE)

This precaution is critically important because personal protective equipment is the last line of defence against being electrocuted. Therefore it should always be worn.

The type of personal protective equipment worn will depend on the level of electrical hazards that employees are exposed to. At a minimum, employees should always wear appropriate gloves and footwear. Working with wiring or being in close proximity to electricity also requires the use of a face shield, fire-resistant helmet, protective eyewear and ear protection.

All the above guidelines should be followed when developing an electrical safety plan. This plan will educate employees about potential risks and protect them from harm.

Neil Enslin, Occupational Health and Safety Manager

Sources:

• MBSA Audit system
• MBSA H&S Construction manual
• OHS Act