Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

12.3.7 Secondary 
hazards
It is important to note that there are other hazards associ-
ated with portable electrical appliances, such as abrasion 
and impact, noise and vibration. Trailing leads used for 
portable equipment and raised socket points offer serious 
trip hazards and both should be used with great care near 
pedestrian walkways. Power drives from electric motors 
should always be guarded against entanglement hazards.
Secondary hazards are those additional hazards 
which present themselves as a result of an elec-
trical hazard. It is very important that these hazards are 
considered during a risk assessment. An electric shock 
could lead to a fall from height if the shock occurred on 
a scaffold or it could lead to a collision with a vehicle if 
the victim collapsed on to a roadway.
Similarly an electrical fi re could lead to all the associ-
ated fi re hazards outlined in Chapter 13 (e.g. suffocation, 
burns and structural collapse) and electrical burns can 
easily lead to infections.
12.4 
General control measures for 
electrical hazards
The principal control measures for electrical hazards are 
contained in the statutory precautionary requirements 
covered by the Electricity at Work Regulations, the main 
provisions of which are outlined in Chapter 17. They are 
applicable to all electrical equipment and systems found 
at the workplace and impose duties on employers, 
employees and the self-employed.
The regulations cover the following topics:
➤
the design, construction and maintenance of electrical 
systems, work activities and protective equipment
➤
the strength and capability of electrical equipment
➤
the protection of equipment against adverse and 
hazardous environments
➤
the insulation, protection and placing of electrical 
conductors
➤
the earthing of conductors and other suitable 
precautions
➤
the integrity of referenced conductors
➤
the suitability of joints and connections used in elec-
trical systems
➤
means for protection from excess current
➤
means for cutting off the supply and for isolation
➤
the precautions to be taken for work on equipment 
made dead
➤
working on or near live conductors
➤
adequate working space, access and lighting
➤
the competence requirements for persons working 
on electrical equipment to prevent danger and injury.
Detailed safety standards for designers and installers 
of electrical systems and equipment are given a code 
of practice published by the Institution of Electrical 
Engineers, known as the IEE Regulations. While these 
regulations are not legally binding, they are recognized as 
a code of good practice and widely used as an industry 
standard.
The risk of injury and damage inherent in the 
use of electricity can only be controlled effectively by 
the introduction of employee training, safe operating 
procedures (safe systems of work) and guidance to cover 
specifi c tasks.
Training
is required at all levels of the organization 
ranging from simple on-the-job instruction to apprentice-
ship for electrical technicians and supervisory courses for 
experienced electrical engineers. First aid training related 
to the need for cardiovascular resuscitation and treatment 

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