Electrical Risk Self Assessment

Achieving compliance with legislation such as the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 can be a complex and challenging task.

Whether as an organisation you feel that you fully comply or you are not sure of your current position Electrical Safety UK Limited’s Free Electrical Risk Health Check will provide you with:

an insight into your current level of compliance
guidance on what the HSE is looking for
a plan to achieve compliance without compromising your business

By answering the following 17 questions you will receive a bespoke report that can be used to demonstrate responsible intent with regards to electrical safety and provide a clear vision as to the measures you need to take to achieve compliance.

Following the completion of the electrical risk assessment you will also receive a FREE telephone consultation with one of our Senior Electrical Engineers to discuss your requirements in full and where you may look to seek improvements to Good Practice in Electrical Safety Management.

Fill in a few basic details and the electrical risk assessment will begin automatically:

Name(Required)

Last Name(Required)

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Company(Required)

1. Do you have a High Voltage network on site or undertake work on high voltage systems? *(Required)

We generate our own High Voltage (above 1,000 V a.c. or 1,500 V d.c.) supply

We have only Low Voltage (up to 1,000 V a.c. or 1,500 V d.c.) coming onto site

We do not have High Voltage on site, but we do work on High Voltage systems

We have a High Voltage network, but this is owned by someone else

We have a High Voltage network on site but we have contracted this to a specialist company to manage

We have a High Voltage network on site but currently we do not manage it

We have a High Voltage network on site and we operate it ourselves

Other

It is expected that H.V. systems are well designed, well maintained and are operated by competent persons. The dangers from electricity on poorly designed and incorrectly operated H.V. Systems can result in severe business loss and fatalities.

There is potential for complacency to set in if persons do not appreciate the dangers of electricity.

Provided that the system has been correctly designed, is well maintained and is operated by competent persons, the dangers from electricity should be minimal.

Your specialist contractor should have everything in hand, and will advise you of any concerns or remedial actions: it is important that these are acted on without delay. It is important that your own operatives do not interfere with the HV system is danger from electricity is to be avoided.

This puts you and your business at risk from the dangers of electricity. Failure to maintain H.V. switchgear, such as circuit breakers and fuse switches can put the reliability of your system at risk, can lead to catastrophic failure of your network and can lead to major disruption, not only to your site, but the surrounding area as well. It is recommended that a competent person / contract company be appointed without delay.

If you have systems, procedure and competent persons in place, and follow planned maintenance procedures, the risks to you and your business should be minimal. There is a risk, however, that the H.V. system is only part of the workload for your team, maintenance will be deferred in light of more pressing tasks, and familiarity with switchgear and switching operations will fade if work is not regularly undertaken.

2. Have Duty Holders been identified?(Required)

Yes we have a fully documented Duty Holder Structure

No, but the Duty Holder Structure is covered via role descriptions

No, but everyone knows that they have responsibilities

No, this has not been considered

This is good, everyone knows what their responsibilities are

This may be good, ensure that Duty Holders are aware of their responsibilities.

This may be putting people at risk who may not understand the responsibilities that they have placed on them

This is most likely putting the business as risk..

3. Do you have an Electrical Engineer, or other Technical Authority who can make informed decisions relating to electrical safety?(Required)

Yes, we have a Charted Electrical Engineer (CEng)

Yes, we have an Incorporated Electrical Engineer (IEng)

We have an Engineering Technician (Eng.Tech)

We have a Competent Person

We don’t have in-house availability, but we have access to these resources elsewhere

We don’t have anyone specifically with electrical knowledge

Other

You have a good source of information and control

You have a good source of information and control.

You may have a good source of information and control.

You may be a risk. Review your needs and possible solutions

4. Do you have trainees/apprentices?(Required)

Yes, we have trainees/apprentices involved in electrical work, including those under the age of 18

Yes, we have trainees/apprentices involved in electrical work, but over the age of 18

Yes, we have trainees/apprentices but they are not involved in electrical work

No, we do not have trainees/apprentices

Other

Ensure that these trainees do not operate dangerous machinery or undertake hazardous electrical tasks

Ensure that suitable supervision is in place to allow the trainee to work safely

The risk posed is minimal

5. Do you have a Documented Electrical Safety Policy / Code of Practice or Safety Rules?(Required)

Yes, we have an electrical safety policy, safety rules and supporting procedures in place

Yes we have policy on electrical safety, but we do not have safety rules or supporting procedures

We do not have a specific electrical safety policy, but we do have rules and procedures

We have electrical safety rules but no supporting procedures

We have some supporting procedures but no safety rules or policy

We do not have any electrical safety policy, rules or supporting procedures

Other

This is a good position to be in. Ensure that they are reviewed periodically and that persons are trained in their requirements

You should carry out a review to identify if Rules and Procedures are required

Your generally health and safety policy may require updating to include electrical safety.

You should carry out a review to identify if Procedures are required

A review should be undertaken to identify what currently have and what additional documents are required

This is something that you should review

6. Do you have a procedure for safe isolation?(Required)

Yes, we have a specific procedure for both HV and LV electrical isolation

Yes, we have a specific procedure for HV only isolation

Yes, we have a specific procedure for LV only electrical isolation

Yes, this is part of our hazardous energy / Lock-out and Tag-out procedure

Yes we use the Electrical Safety First guidance

Yes, we use manufacturer specific instructions

No, we do not have a specific procedure for electrical safe isolation

This is a good position to be in. Ensure that they are reviewed periodically and that persons are trained in their requirements

This is a good position to be in. Ensure that they are reviewed periodically and that persons are trained in their requirements. Ensure that proving dead is included in the process

This is a good start, but is generic in content. How is safe isolation effected on your site?

This exposes you to risk and should be reviewed

7. Do you have a procedure for controlling contractors working on site?(Required)

Yes, we have a full documented system that we must follow

Yes, we require paperwork before they come on site

Yes, we only use contractors who we know and trust

Yes, we will always take them to their place of work and run through the job

No, we have no formal process, this is at our discretion

We do not use contractors

Other

This is a good position to be in. review your processes periodically to check that they are still valid

This may not cover all eventualities and can easily become a ‘tick-box’ process. Consider what else you should do to ensure that contractors and their works is undertaken safely on your site

This is a good approach, but sometimes can lead to a false sense of security. How would you demonstrate to the enforcing authorities that you adequately controlled contractors whilst they work on your site?

This policy may be exposing to risk. Consider how contractors undertake work on your site and how you ensure that both contractors and your own employees are kept safe.

This puts you at minimal risk

8. Has an Arc Flash Risk Assessment been completed on site?(Required)

I am not sure what this is

No, we have not had an arc flash study carried out

Yes, we have had an arc flash study carried out, but it is out of date

Yes, we have had an arc flash study carried out, which is in date and we have acted on it

Yes, we have had an arc flash study carried out, which is in date but we have not acted on it yet

Other

This is an indication that you may be at risk, further advice should be sought

This should be reviewed by a competent person

This is a good situation to be in. Review the assessment as required

Carry out your corrective actions, you are in a good position.

9. Have specific panel entry / IP2X risk assessments been completed?(Required)

I am not sure what this is

Yes, we have completed panel entry risk assessments and have considered IP 2X requirements

We have done this in the past but I am not sure if they are still valid

We have done this for some panels / switchgear, but not for all of our assets

We have not done this yet, but we intend to do so in the future

We do not need to undertake panel entry / IP 2X risk assessments

There may be no need to undertake this task but it is worthwhile checking

This is a good situation. Ensure that the assessments are reviewed

This may be worth checking, Review and update as required

There is benefit in carrying out a review of all switchgear to identify which panels require a risk assessment. Carry out the assessment where there are deficiencies

This is good, but ensure that the work is planned now so that you can demonstrate ‘intent to comply’

This is acceptable. Review your requirements as circumstances change

10. Are Single Line Diagrams (SLDs) available?(Required)

This may mean that you do not have them. There are a few cases where they are not required, but it is worth checking to see if you do have then and that they are up-to-date

This is a good situation. Ensure that they are kept up-to-date

This is a good situation. Ensure that they are kept up-to-date. Has consideration been given to how those SLDs are accessed during a power loss or IT failure?

This should be checked and SLDs brought up-to-date if required

You should have SLDs for your entire electrical network. It is worth checking to see if you do have them and if they are up-to-date

This is a good situation, not every site requires SLDs. Check that your charts are up-to-date

11. Is access to electrical substations and switchrooms controlled?(Required)

Yes, keys are restricted to Authorised Persons only

Yes, only the relevant persons have keys

Yes, security will only issue keys to those that need them

Yes, we have combination locks or keypad entry systems in place

Yes, we have a door entry card system in place

No, it is a key which many people have access to

No, we do have the facilities to lock switchrooms but we leave them unlocked

No, we do not have the facilities to lock switchrooms

This is a good position to be in, access to hazardous electrical switchgear is restricted to only those who have need to access it

This is a good position to be in, access to hazardous electrical switchgear is restricted to only those who have need to access it. However, check that the process is being followed and that only those who are allowed keys are given access

This system can be subject to abuse if combination codes are not kept secure and changed periodically

This is a good system provided that card keys are not swapped or loaned out. Good management of this type of system is essential for it to work safely

This means that anyone has got access to hazardous switchgear. Your control systems are most likely ineffective.

12. Has the competence of all persons involved in electrical work been assessed?(Required)

Yes, assessments are completed, we have full records and have formally appointed persons

Yes, we have copies of certificates held on file

Yes, they hold a JIB Trade Card

Yes, they went to university

Yes, they have all completed their Wiring Regulations course

No, we have some documentation, but it is not a complete record

No, we have no way of proving that persons are competent

No, we do not employ competent persons

Other

/This is a good situation to be in. remember to review the assessments.

This may demonstrate that persons have the required knowledge but is unlikely to satisfy the requirement to verify that they have the relevant experience. Remember that knowledge and experience (competence) is relevant to the specific work that you are asking your operatives to undertake and any previous training or experience may not be relevant to the work that you undertake

This may demonstrate that persons have the required knowledge and experience in an electrical discipline. Remember that knowledge and experience (competence) is relevant to the specific work that you are asking your operatives to undertake and any previous training or experience may not be relevant to the work that you undertake. Consider the authenticity of any card that is presented and make use of the JIB Card Checker available on theory website

This does not in itself confer competence. It is important to tackle into account the need for persons to have experience in order to avoid danger, those who have completed a university route may or may not have practical experience related to the work that they are being asked to perform

The EAL/C&G 2382 course is a good starting point for verifying that electrical staff are up-to-date with the requirements for designing, installing, inspecting and testing low voltage fixed wiring installations, but does not in itself confirm that they are competent. Often, in an industrial environment, persons are required to work on machinery and their controls, to which BS 7671 is largely exempted.

You are likely to have difficulties demonstrating both to the Enforcing Authorities and your insurers that you employ competent staff.

If you rely on contractors and you have means to verify that they are competent then you are likely to be carrying minimum risk. Otherwise, you are likely to have difficulties demonstrating both to the Enforcing Authorities and your insurers that you employ competent staff.

13. Is the competence of contractors verified?(Required)

Yes, we vet the competence processes that our contractors use

Yes, we assess contractors similar to how we assess our own personnel

Yes, we rely on SSIP, or other schemes for this

We rely on a declaration from our contractors that their staff are competent

We work on the basis that contractors are required to employ competent persons

No, we do not verify the competence of contractors

We do not use contractors

Other

This is a good position to be in. Remember to review your contractors procedures and to audit that what the contractor is telling you actually happens.

This is a good position to be in. remember that the assessments will need to reviewed. Verify that all contractors are assessed and that no-one slips under the radar

Whilst these schemes are good, they do not ensure that all contractors have been assessed and are competent. There may be need to check that persons attending site are competent to work on or near to electrical systems

Since contractors may be working on your electrical system, this approach might expose Duty Holders to risk, unless it can be proven that all reasonable checks have been undertaken.

This statement is correct, however, in the event of an incident it may be Duty Holders from your business that may be called to demonstrate how persons working on your electrical system were competent to do so

This may be putting you and your business at risk. We recommend that a review of determining Contractor Competence be undertaken

This minimises risk to your business. Consider if your own team have the competence to undertake specialist work that contractors might otherwise fulfil

14. Does a Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme exist?(Required)

Yes, we have a detailed PPM programme in place that is followed

Yes, we have a detailed PPM programme and try to follow it

Yes, we have a detailed PPM programme, but cannot always abide by it

No, in general we maintain equipment when it breaks down or gives trouble

We have no need to undertake PPM

Other

This is a good outcome and risks are minimised. Maintain Planned Preventative Maintenance programmes

This indicates that there may be occasions that prevent you from maintaining equipment. Review the maintenance programme and ensure that essential safety maintenance is prioritised. There is potential for unsafe practices to creep in

This indicates that there may be issues regarding access to equipment due to production demands, availability of equipment or lack of available resources. This may be putting Duty Holders and the business at risk, not only from a legislative point of view but also in relation to litigation and insurance cover. Review the situation closely and identify the cause. Evaluate the consequences of not undertaking maintenance

This may be all that you need to do, however you need to document that a review has been carried out and all of the mandated and safety related maintenance tasks have been identified and are being implemented. Potentially both duty holders and the business is at risk

Except in a few instances, this approach is likely to be exposing Duty Holders and the business to unacceptable levels of risk. Putting aside the legislative and litigation requirements to maintain electrical systems and equipment, failing to undertake preventative maintenance can result in excessive costs being incurred by relying on reactive maintenance (breakdowns), both through repair costs and down-time

15. Have you had any reported electrical shock or electrical burns incidents?(Required)

Yes, we have had multiple reports of electric shock and/or electrical burns

Yes, we have had a report of an electric shock and/or electrical burns

No, we have not had any reports, but suspect that this may have happened

No, we have not had any reports

I do not know if there have been any reports of electric shock / electrical burns

Other

Investigate why the second incident occurred and what learning outcomes came out of both incidents

Verify that a root cause analysis was undertaken and that corrective measures have been implemented.

This is an indication that systems and procedures are not working, attention is required

This is a good indication that systems and procedures may be working

It may be advantageous to check that there have been no incidents

16. Have you had any arc flash incidents?(Required)

Yes, we have had more than one arc flash incident on our site

Yes, we have had more than one arc flash incident across the group

Yes, we have had one arc flash incident on our site

Yes, we have had one arc flash incident elsewhere in the group

No, we have not had any arc flash incidents

I am not aware of any arc flash incidents

I do not know if we have had any arc flash incidents

Other

Investigate why the second incident occurred and what learning outcomes came out of both incidents

Verify that a root cause analysis was undertaken and that corrective measures have been implemented.

This is a good indication that systems and procedures may be working

It may be advantageous to check that there have been no incidents

17. Have you had any fires or explosions to which electricity might have been a contributary factor?(Required)

Yes, we have had more than one fire / explosions of an electrical origin on our site

Yes, we have had more than one fire / explosions of an electrical origin across the group

Yes, we have had one fire / explosions of an electrical origin on our site

Yes, we have had one fire / explosions of an electrical origin elsewhere in the group

No, we have not had any fire / explosions of an electrical origin

I am not aware of any fire / explosions of an electrical origin

I do not know if we have had fire / explosions of an electrical origin

Other

Investigate why the second incident occurred and what learning outcomes came out of both incidents

Verify that a root cause analysis was undertaken and that corrective measures have been implemented.

This is a good indication that systems and procedures may be working

It may be advantageous to check that there have been no incidents

Electrical Risk Self Assessment

Achieving compliance with legislation such as the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 can be a complex and challenging task.

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