Whether it’s high voltages, overhead and buried cables, or live wires, ensuring the safety of workers and visitors on site is critical. To avoid fatalities, injuries and legal prosecutions, electrical hazard labels should be displayed whenever anyone is working with electricity outdoors.
These signs can also be used domestically by homeowners within their gardens, but having safety signs is only part of the solution. That’s why we’ve put together this blog post featuring tips on how to stay safe when using electricity outdoors. Potentially lifesaving, it will also explore the correct use of equipment and coverage of outdoor cables so that they’re weather-resistant and safe to use.
Ensure Everyone Can See Any Electrical Hazard Labels
Depending on where you’re working, there will be several people’s safety to consider, including local residents and property owners. Displaying easy-to-understand text and symbol signs, such as the Danger High Voltage sign, can help to avoid accidents by highlighting the nearby dangers.
Other hazards may include:
- Overhead power cables
- Electricians working nearby
- Nearby equipment falling on you
- Risk of electric shock
- High or Mains voltage.
Likewise, showing contrasting black and yellow image-only signs including our Electrical hazard symbol safety sign, successfully alerts people that an electrical hazard exists.
Don’t Take Any Risks
There will be times when construction teams and electrical engineers are required to work near exposed underground electrical cables. It’s often impossible to know by sight alone if a cable is live or dead. However, workers will be at risk of significant harm should such cables be severed or crushed. The display of a Caution Buried cables sign or Danger Live wires sign will alert everyone to these potential hazards.
Placement Matters
Never an afterthought, safety signs should always be displayed clearly in a sensible location. For example, you could display them at ground eye-level on telegraph poles where overhead cables are being serviced. You may also need to place a Caution Electricians working A-board in areas where your team are working. It is sometimes also necessary to ring-fence an area if multiple electrical hazards exist.
Use Equipment at the Right Time
Avoid Using Electrical Equipment in Poor Weather
It’s never a good idea for lay people to use electrical appliances outdoors during wet or windy weather. Rain and snow can lead to electrocutions should water seep into electric-powered equipment, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Lawnmowers
- Strimmers
- Hedge trimmers
- Patio Heaters
- Leaf Blowers
These home-grade tools and machines may not appear to pose a great danger. However, they typically contain 230 volts, which is the standard power in the UK. Thankfully, we supply our Caution 230 volts safety sign for anyone concerned about such risks.
Use an RCD
Running electrical wires outside and above ground can pose a real danger if anything crushes or cuts the line. Residual current devices (RCD) will break the flow of electricity immediately and avoid burns or electrical shocks should heavy rain or any moisture appear within the equipment or electrical circuit.
Consider and Manage the Risks
Construction and rail workers don’t often have the luxury of working on dry weather days. Running electrical wire outside or above ground is a hazard that can be managed safely by following training and adhering to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This legislation equips such workers with advanced knowledge of how to avoid electrical dangers, which can be applied after noticing our electrical hazard labels.
Undertake Frequent Safety Inspections
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) urges that “Equipment must be properly designed, constructed, installed and maintained so that it does not present a risk of electric shock, burns, fire or explosion when properly used”. It should also be stored securely in a dry and preferably locked place to keep it in top condition.
Regular electrical safety inspections conducted by an authorised party will ensure that each tool and its cable remain in good working order. Sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) should also be worn at all times to avoid slipping or falling whilst using electrical tools and machines.
Check Your Cables are Weather-Resistant
If you have cables outside for temporary tasks or long-term decorative purposes (as with gardens and balconies), it’s wise to cover them so that they’re water-resistant. PVC piping or heavy-duty waterproof electrical tape can be used to stop rain and moisture from running into the electronics.
Preventing electrical shocks and burns, appropriate cover is essential when running electricity to sheds above ground. It will still be worth highlighting this hazard to other workers (or members of your family) with a Caution Mains voltage sign.
Tips for Construction Teams
Contractors and their employers working in outside settings should take care to follow these guidelines:
- Complete a thorough outdoor risk assessment
- Never leave electrical tools unattended
- Comprehensively inspect and test all work
Potentially saving lives, time and injuries, electrical hazard labels should always be a priority for the construction industry.
Adding Alternative Power Sources
Homeowners wondering how to get power outside without outlets can turn to battery-powered devices and tools. Equally, ponds and water features can be solar powered with panels. Both methods avoid the risk of running electrical wire outside, either above ground or attached to buildings.
Purchasing Electrical Hazard Labels can make for safer working conditions. Highlighting the potential dangers, which often bring very real consequences for those injured, we at Label Source are proud to help you meet your legal duty of care.
Bring Safety Outdoors with Label Source
Having introduced the range of electrical hazard labels and some best practice advice, you may be wondering where you can view the entire range. Shop Electrical Warning Signs whether you’re involved in a construction trade, or are a conscientious parent worried about using electricity outdoors safely.
Conforming with regulations such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, and the Electricity Safety Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002, we’d be happy to help meet your signage needs.
