Reported figures show that 15% of serious injuries caused by electricity occur in schools and colleges. This level of accidents illustrates the need for continual vigilance whenever electricity is being used.

Headteachers and others responsible for the safety of pupils and staff need to ensure that electrical equipment is regularly maintained and electrical hazards are identified and dealt with promptly.

The Health and Safety at Work Act and The Electricity at Work Regulations cover the legal requirements for electrical safety and apply to all places for work, including educational establishments.

Under the Regulations, every employer has a duty to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken to achieve electrical safety. In the case of schools and colleges, the headteacher will normally be regarded as the principal 'duty holder'. The principal duty holder is required to:

•
 ensure that installation, repair and maintenance work is only carried out by competent persons
•
 confirm the safety of equipment by arranging periodic inspection and testing and any necessary maintenance work
•
 implement and maintain safety procedures for all electrical equipment in use.

Only competent contractors should be employed to carry out electrical work in schools. The NICEIC maintains a Roll of Approved Contractors capable of safe, good quality work. By selecting contractors from the NICEIC's Roll, specifiers know that the required safety standards will be met.

 Most problems with electrical equipment can be detected by visual inspection. However, some serious faults cannot be detected in this way, particularly lack of continuous earths, and for some equipment the earth is essential to safety. Therefore, all earthed equipment and most leads and plugs connected to equipment should also have an occasional combined inspection and test to look for faults. Combined inspection and testing should be carried out where there is reason to suspect the equipment may be faulty or damaged, but this cannot be confirmed by visual inspection. Combined testing should also be carried out after any repair or similar work to the equipment. Suggested intervals are shown below.

Type of Equipment
User checks
Class I*
Class II**
formal visual inspection
combined inspection & testing
formal visual inspection
combined inspection & testing
Stationary
weekly
None
1 year
1 year
4 years
IT equipment
weekly
None
1 year
1 year
4 years
Moveable
weekly
4 months
1 year
4 months
4 years
Portable
weekly
4 months
1 year
4 months
4 years
Handheld
before use
4 months
1 year
4 months
4 years

** Class I equipment is earthed and contains metal parts, e.g. storage heaters, washing machines
** Class II equipment is not earthed and is usually in a plastic case, e.g. hairdryers, fans

All inspections in schools and colleges must be undertaken by a supervisor, teacher or member of staff. Keeping records of the results of inspection and testing can be useful.
 
Extension Leads

Extension leads are also considered as portable equipment and should be avoided where possible. If used, they should be tested as portable appliances. It is recommended that 3-core leads (including a protective earthing conductor) be used.

A standard 13 A 3-pin extension socket-outlet with a 2-core cable should never be used even if the appliance to be used is Class II, as it would not provide protection against electric shock if used at any time with an item of Class I equipment.