Around 30 fatalities occur each year as a result of accidents at work involving electric shock or burns.  Most of these fatalities arise from contact with overhead or underground cables.  Even non-fatal shocks can cause severe and permanent injury.

Employers must assess work activities, which utilise electricity and must define all foreseeable risks associated with the activities.

This must include:

•  Suitability
• Design
•  Construction
•  Installation of Electrical systems
•  All necessary precautions

An employer must provide:

•  Safe Systems
•  Safe Working activities
•  Safe environments
•  These are absolute duties under the Electricity at Works Regulations 1989.

Contact with normal mains voltage - 230 volts AC, could be fatal !!!!