Using electricity safely in your business

The electricity supply and electrical appliances used in your business have to be treated with respect in order to ensure the safety of your staff and customers. Sensible use of appliances and taking precautions where necessary will ensure risks are minimised.

Electrical appliances must be maintained in good condition, any damage to the appliances or the wiring supplying them should be repaired by an appropriately qualified person.
Turn off the supply if you are in any doubt about the safety of an appliance or wiring. Do not expose appliances or wiring to situations or environments where it can become damaged by water, heat or impact.
If there is a burning smell or smoke from an appliance turn it off and disconnect it, never ever throw water on an electrical appliance.

When installing new appliances consideration should be given to their location and the load they place on the circuit in your premises. An appropriately qualified person should be consulted when installing new appliances.

When working outside use a residual current device (RCD), this will automatically disconnect the supply if there is a leakage to earth, also consider the proximity of overhead or buried power cables and work a safe distance from them or request that the supply is temporarily turned off.
Extension cords should not be joined together and should be fully unrolled to prevent them heating up.

Ensure that nominated staff are familiar with the fuse board at your premises so that in the event of an incident they are aware of what to do. Make sure that switches and fuses are clearly labelled and there is unobstructed access to the fuse board.

If you wish to find out more information about electrical safety we recommend the following publication: 'Good Practice Guide on the Management of Electrical Safety at Work' available from the Electro Technical Council of Ireland - Ref No. ET 206. (See www.etci.ie).

In case of an emergency contact ESB Networks on its emergency number 1850 372999