Electrical safety in construction

One of the biggest causes of injury in the construction industry is via electric shock. Electric shocks are caused when electric current passes through the human body, usually an alternative current of frequencies of 50 Hz and 60 Hz. However, injuries can be easily avoided it simple rules and regulations are put in place in order to comply to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 act.

What do employers need to do?

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 states employers are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of their employees and the public, if they are at risk from work activities.

As it is an employer's duty to protect their employees against health and safety issues, thorough risk assessments need to be fulfilled to identify any hazards in place.

In order to warn employees of potential hazards, it is essential to have safety signs in place. It is the employer's responsibility to correctly display them in order to prevent accidents. However, in order to identify specific electrical details, electrical safety labels to ensure that the appliances are fit for purpose or warn otherwise. Take a look at Pat Labels Online for a range of durable and reliable Pat Testing Labels.

What are the risks?

The severity of an electrical hazard needs to be addressed in order to understand the risks. If preventions aren't put in place, shocks, fires, explosions and burns can be caused. An electric shock can cause detrimental effects such as internal burns, muscular contractions, brain injury, cardiac arrest and fibrillation of the heart.

Employers need to remember that the safety of their employees is in their hands, meaning that they are completely liable for identify hazards to prevent hazards.

Adapted from press release by Joseph Green

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/11052016/electrical-safety-construction-83/