UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Electrical Safety Policy
The University recognises that electricity presents a risk from the campus generation and distribution network, from fixed wiring installations within buildings, and from equipment and portable appliances used by staff, students and contractors. There is also a risk presented by electricity during some research activities, which, although bound by this single policy, are subject to separate detailed arrangements. There is a risk of electric shock to individuals, and a risk of damage to equipment and installations, including the risk of fire or explosions caused by overheating or arcing.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 are relevant to all activities carried out on the University campus, including research activities and there is no such thing as a safe voltage: all voltages must be considered to present a risk to individuals and to equipment and installations.
This Policy is supported by arrangements, instructions, and guidance on electrical safety management which are available on the University’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing website.
Core Principles
1.
There must be a ‘switch off first’ mentality for those working on or near exposed live conductors: with the specific exception of testing and diagnostic work, live working must only be carried out as a last resort, and only when all of the recognised control measures (including a ‘live working’
Permit to Work) have been established.
2.
Where circuits have been isolated to enable safe working there must be a physical ‘lock out and tag out’ system, supported by an ‘isolation’ Permit to Work, in place to prevent any unplanned re-energisation.
3.
Excavations must not take place over, or near to, live distribution cables without an ‘excavation’
Permit to Work, which covers requirements for cable location and appropriate digging techniques, being in place.
4.
Fixed wiring installations are installed to BS 7671 (the Institution of Engineering and Technology,
(IET) Wiring Regulations) and formally inspected at suitable intervals as recommended by the IET.
5.
Competence is essential for those working on or near electrical systems or equipment, especially those involved in design, construction and operation of electrical systems (including purposebuilt research apparatus): those who do not possess the required knowledge or experience must be under an appropriate degree of supervision, having regard to the nature of the work.
6.
Newly acquired electrical equipment must conform to CE certification and marking requirements prior to being used on campus, and be fit for purpose and free from latent defects.
7.
Electrical equipment, especially Portable Appliances, must be visually inspected and, if necessary, formally tested, on a risk based periodicity, in line with HSE guidance.
8.
Electrical equipment which might be exposed to mechanical damage, effects of weather or wet, dirty, dusty or corrosive conditions must be appropriate for such environments by design and construction
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UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
Electrical Safety Policy
9.
Electrical equipment which might be used in any potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere, including dusts, vapours or gases, must be of such construction (or appropriately protected) as to prevent danger arising from such exposure.
10.
Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) should be carried out on any electrical installations or equipment on a risk appropriate basis.
11.
No electrical equipment developed for use in a research environment should be energised without having been visually inspected, formally risk assessed and approved by the Principal
Investigator, or some other competent member of staff.
Responsibilities
The Director of Estates is responsible for implementation of this Policy by Estates Office staff and contractors who they engage. The Director of Estates, with support from the Estates Office’s Health and Safety and Compliance Manager, is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all fixed installations are designed, installed and tested to the required standard, and, unless formally advised otherwise by a Head of Department (who must have local arrangements in place – see below), ensuring that electrical installations, equipment and portable appliances are appropriately inspected, and, if necessary, tested.
Heads of Department who allow their own staff or directly appoint contractors to carry modifications to fixed wiring installations or to carry out Portable Appliance Testing, rather than using the Estates Office, are, as a result, responsible and accountable for the safety of all electrical installations and equipment within their department.
Heads of Departments are responsible for the implementation of this Policy within their respective
Departments and its communication to their staff. All academic and technical staff within departments must comply with this Policy and the associated arrangements, instructions and guidance on electrical safety.
The University Electrical Services Maintenance Manager is responsible for supporting both the
Director of Estates and Health and Safety and Compliance Manager in relation to the day to day electrical safety management and the maintenance of the detailed arrangements, instructions and guidance.
The Director of Health and Safety is responsible for advising on the standards and regulations that must be achieved in order to meet legal requirements; for keeping the University’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing website up to date with the related arrangements, instructions and guidance; and for ensuring that spot checks and audits are carried out and reported into the University’s Governance structure.
Review
This policy is dated June 2015. The policy will be reviewed at least annually.
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