A damaged extension lead behind a desk, a charger used in a damp storeroom or an overloaded adaptor in a staff kitchen can all become serious issues very quickly. Knowing how to assess electrical risks helps duty holders protect employees, visitors and contractors while showing that electrical safety is being managed properly.
For most workplaces, the objective is not to eliminate every electrical item or create unnecessary paperwork. It is to identify where harm could occur, put proportionate controls in place and keep clear records of what has been checked. Electrical risk assessment should form part of a wider health and safety management process, alongside inspection, maintenance and portable appliance testing where appropriate.
What an electrical risk assessment should cover
Electrical risks arise when people may come into contact with live parts, faulty equipment, damaged cables or unsafe electrical installations. The consequences can include electric shock, burns, fire, damage to property and, in the most severe cases, fatal injury.
Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, employers and duty holders must take reasonable steps to prevent danger from electrical systems. This applies to fixed installations, such as consumer units, sockets and lighting circuits, as well as portable appliances including kettles, computers, power tools, extension leads and phone chargers.
A suitable assessment looks at the equipment, the environment in which it is used and the people using it. A laptop in a clean office presents a different level of risk from a power tool used on a construction project or a hand dryer in a leisure facility. The controls should reflect that difference.
How to assess electrical risks step by step
Start by defining the areas and activities being assessed. Walk through the premises, including offices, plant rooms, kitchens, corridors, storage spaces, workshops and outdoor areas. Speak to people who use equipment every day, as they may know about faults, workarounds or recurring problems that are not obvious during a short inspection.
Identify electrical hazards
Look for conditions that could expose someone to electrical danger or increase the likelihood of fire. This includes obvious defects, but also the way equipment is being used.
Common hazards include damaged plugs, frayed leads, cracked casings, loose sockets, overloaded extension leads and trailing cables. Equipment used near water, in dusty areas or outdoors needs particular attention. So does equipment that is moved frequently, shared between users or subjected to heavy use.
Also consider whether staff bring personal electrical items into work. Unauthorised heaters, fans, chargers and kitchen appliances can create risks if they have not been checked, are unsuitable for the setting or overload existing circuits. A clear policy is often more effective than trying to address the issue only after a problem occurs.
Decide who could be harmed and how
Employees are not the only people who may be exposed. Consider cleaners, maintenance contractors, visitors, pupils, residents, patients and members of the public. A cable that is safely positioned for office staff may still be a trip or electrical hazard for a contractor moving equipment after hours.
Pay close attention to people who may be less familiar with the site or more vulnerable to harm. In schools, healthcare environments and public-facing buildings, electrical equipment may be handled by people who have not received workplace instruction. In workshops and industrial settings, users may be exposed to higher voltages, harsher conditions or equipment with moving parts.
Evaluate the risk in context
Risk is based on the chance of something going wrong and the potential severity if it does. A visibly damaged extension lead should be removed from use immediately, regardless of where it is found. Other issues may need a more measured response.
For example, a desktop computer with an intact lead in a low-risk office may only require routine visual checks and a sensible testing schedule. A portable tool used daily on different sites is likely to require more frequent inspection and testing. The correct interval depends on the appliance type, how often it is moved, its operating environment and its history of faults.
Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Testing every item annually may be suitable for some organisations, but it is not automatically the right control for every appliance or site. A competent assessment helps set inspection and testing frequencies that are both defensible and practical.
Put controls in place
Controls should address the source of the risk wherever possible. If equipment is defective, isolate it, label it clearly and arrange repair or replacement. Staff should never continue using an appliance simply because the fault appears minor.
Effective controls may include regular user checks, formal visual inspections, PAT testing, maintenance arrangements, suitable residual current device protection and limits on extension lead use. Keep cables away from walkways, water and heat sources, and ensure equipment is appropriate for the environment.
For higher-risk work, the controls may need to be more detailed. Electrical maintenance, work near live systems and tasks involving specialist machinery should be planned and carried out by suitably competent persons. In many cases, safe isolation is essential. Live working should not be treated as routine simply because it is convenient.
Record findings and assign actions
Document significant findings, including the area assessed, hazards identified, people at risk, controls already in place and further actions required. Assign each action to a responsible person and set a realistic completion date.
Good records help demonstrate that your organisation is managing its duties. They also prevent known defects from being forgotten when responsibilities change or a site becomes busy. If an item has been removed from service, record what happened next: repair, replacement or disposal.
PAT testing is part of the control process
Portable Appliance Testing is a useful element of electrical risk management, but it is not a substitute for an electrical risk assessment or inspection of the fixed wiring. PAT testing can identify faults in portable and movable electrical equipment that may not be visible to the user, while visual checks often identify damage before formal testing is due.
A planned PAT programme should be based on risk rather than habit alone. Office IT equipment, kitchen appliances, extension leads and portable tools do not all need identical treatment. The most suitable programme considers the appliance class, the working environment, how frequently the equipment is moved and the consequences of a fault.
Where PAT testing is booked, a site-specific discussion before work begins can help minimise disruption. Grouping equipment by area, agreeing access arrangements and identifying critical equipment in advance makes the process easier for staff and more efficient for the organisation.
Do not overlook the fixed electrical installation
Portable appliances are only one part of the picture. Fixed electrical systems also require periodic inspection and testing by a competent electrician. This usually results in an Electrical Installation Condition Report, often known as an EICR.
Warning signs of installation problems include sockets that feel hot, repeated circuit trips, buzzing fittings, flickering lights, scorch marks and damaged electrical accessories. These should be investigated promptly rather than treated as minor inconveniences.
Your risk assessment should confirm that arrangements are in place for fixed installation inspections, remedial work and emergency response. If a fault affects the safety of the system, restrict access or isolate the affected circuit until it has been made safe.
Keep the assessment current
An electrical risk assessment is not a document to file away and revisit only when an auditor asks for it. Review it when there is a change in layout, equipment, staff activities, occupancy or working conditions. It should also be reviewed after an electrical incident, near miss, fire, equipment failure or significant finding during PAT testing.
Routine checks by staff are valuable because they happen between scheduled inspections. Employees should know how to recognise common defects, stop using unsafe equipment and report it without delay. A simple reporting route, supported by prompt action, is far more effective than a policy that sits unread in a folder.
For organisations managing multiple responsibilities across busy premises, competent external support can provide reassurance that assessments, PAT testing and follow-up actions are properly coordinated. Janus Safety Solutions delivers practical, low-disruption testing support through qualified engineers, helping duty holders maintain safe and compliant workplaces.
A well-managed electrical safety process gives people confidence that faults will be found early, equipment will be used appropriately and safety obligations will not be left to chance.