What are the specific risks for electricity?

The university’s policy is for all electrical equipment ranging from portable electric appliances to fixed electrical installations to be safe at all times.

Electrical hazards include fires from faulty wiring, the overloading of electrical circuits, contact with live conductors (e.g., from damaged electrical equipment), explosion or fire from contact with explosive or flammable substances and electrical arcing.  

Injuries from electricity include electric shock, electrical burns and death.

To keep people safe the university, through Estates and Campus Services (ECS) as the duty-holder, implements a range of safe working systems and procedures to ensure electrical equipment is regularly inspected, tested and checked to prevent danger.

Fixed electrical systems must meet stringent standards for design, construction and use, so any proposals to change a fixed electrical installation must be notified to ECS in advance for approval.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is undertaken annually for portable electrical equipment, or more frequently for portable equipment used in challenging environments or applications. Once equipment has received a PAT, a tag or label with the date of inspection is attached.

It is recommended that users also visually check portable electrical equipment for any damage. If damage is identified, the electrical equipment should be withdrawn from use pending repair, test or disposal. Notify Facilities Helpdesk for non-IT equipment and IT Service Desk for IT equipment.

Where personally owned electrical equipment is used for work purposes on university premises, then the university requirements for inspection and PAT will apply. PAT tests of personal electrical equipment will be undertaken at no cost to the staff member.

The university’s Electrical Safety Policy 2024 can be found here.

Where contractors are being used to undertake electrical works on university premises, then the Control of Contractors Procedure 2024 should be consulted to ensure the appropriate checks and processes are followed, so the contractor and any one who could be affected by their work activity, are safe and are not exposed to danger.

The applicable health and safety legislation is the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 with detailed guidance provided in the Guidance on Regulations (HSR25/2015).

There is also a homepage that lists the range of Health and Safety risks identified as relevant to the University's activities and facilities, together with information on the University's policies and arrangements on how these risks are  managed and controlled.