Electrical Safety Risk Assessment Guide for Small Businesses

Electrical Safety Risk Assessment

Every business in the UK is required to assess risks in their workplace — and electrical hazards should be a key part of this assessment. A formal electrical safety risk assessment does not need to be complicated, but it does need to be done properly and documented.

What is an Electrical Risk Assessment?

An electrical risk assessment identifies electrical hazards in your workplace, evaluates the level of risk they present, and documents the measures you take to control those risks. It is part of your general health and safety risk assessment but focuses specifically on electrical dangers.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Identify electrical hazards: Walk through your premises and note every potential electrical hazard — damaged equipment, overloaded sockets, cables across walkways, equipment near water, lack of RCD protection, old or unmaintained equipment.
2. Identify who might be harmed: Employees, visitors, customers, contractors, cleaners, maintenance staff. Consider vulnerable people — young workers, people with disabilities.
3. Evaluate the risks: For each hazard, assess the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity if it does. Prioritise based on risk level.
4. Record your findings: Document the hazards, the people at risk, and the control measures you have in place or will implement.
5. Implement control measures: These might include PAT testing, fixed wiring inspection, removing damaged equipment, installing cable management, adding RCD protection, or providing staff training.
6. Review regularly: Update your risk assessment when circumstances change — new equipment, new premises, new processes, or after any electrical incident.

Common Control Measures

• Regular PAT testing of all portable appliances
• Periodic EICR inspection of fixed wiring
• RCD protection on all circuits
• Staff training on electrical safety basics
• A system for reporting and dealing with faulty equipment
• Cable management to eliminate trip hazards
• Written policy on personal appliances in the workplace

Need Help?

An electrical risk assessment does not require an electrician — but if you would like professional input, contact Green Tag PAT. We can identify electrical hazards during your PAT test and provide practical recommendations. Covering Greater Manchester and Northwest England.