Electrical safety
Electrical risks can occur whenever you may come into contact with electricity. This includes exposure to live parts, faulty equipment or damaged leads, using equipment that isn’t suited to the environment, and slips or trips caused by cords or devices.
Contact with electricity can result in serious and fatal incidents such as electric shock or electrocution, internal and external burns, nerve and musculoskeletal damage, eye and lung injuries, fire or explosion.
Before using any electrical equipment, check that it’s safe. Don’t use anything that:
- doesn’t have a current test tag
- looks damaged or has been repaired with tape
- has been homemade.
Only use equipment if it has:
- a current test tag
- a new equipment tag (if it’s new)
- been shown to your lab manager (if it’s new to campus).
If electrical equipment appears damaged or tampered with, inform your supervisor or lab manager immediately. Don’t attempt to repair or modify electrical equipment unless you’re qualified to do so.
Minimise risk
- Avoid use of power boards - If a power board is required, it must have overload protection (identified by a reset switch/button).
- Don’t use double adaptors as they significantly increase the risk of electrical overload and fire.
- Use battery powered equipment instead of mains operated, where possible.
- Use cable protection ramps or covers to protect cables and cords, where applicable.