Using electrically powered equipment guide

You should make sure that electrical equipment used for work is safe. Here are a list of actions that should be taken to ensure this is so:

• Perform a risk assessment to identify the hazards, the risks arising from those hazards.
• Check that the electrical equipment is suitable for the work and way in which it is going to be used.
• Check that the electrical equipment is in good condition.
• Check that the equipment is suitable for the electrical supply with which it is going to be used, and the electrical supply is safe.
• It is often beneficial to use a Residual Current Device (RCD) between the electrical supply and the equipment.
• Make sure that you and the user of the equipment is trained to use it safely and can keep others safe.
• Make sure you know which personal protective equipment to wear, how to use it.

Check that the electrical equipment is suitable

• The equipment should be physically capable of doing the job, and designed and constructed so that any mechanical and electrical stresses do not cause the equipment to become unsafe.
• If the environment is damp you may choose to use battery or air powered equipment, or equipment that operates at a reduced voltage such as that supplied by a transformer with an output that is centre tapped to earth (this halves the voltage between a live wire and earth). These are readily available from hire shops.
• If there is the chance that there is an explosive atmosphere  (containing flammable aerosols, vapours, gases or dusts) nearby you should ensure the work can be carried out safely and that the right equipment is chosen.

If you are unsure of the tasks at hand and need someone to come with the correct tools and safety to your property, please contact us today as we only a phone call away.