October 4, 2006—New research from Zurich Risk Services concludes that almost three-quarters of UK employees are potentially at risk from exposure to electricity in the workplace.
The study, conducted among managers responsible for electrical safety in the workplace, also found almost 20% of companies admitting they weren’t very familiar with the UK’s Electricity at Work Regulations, if at all, even though they have been in force since 1989.
Despite saying this, 95% say they believe their company is adequately protected against a breach of the Act.
One in six businesses reported that an employee had suffered an electrical shock at their premises, and virtually the same proportion said that an electrical fault has caused damage to the property. Two percent admitted that a customer or member of the general public had experienced an electrical shock on business premises.
Zurich notes that about 1,000 electrical accidents at work are reported to the HSE each year and about 30 people die as a result of those injuries.
Zurich Risk Services helps customers identify, manage and control business risks. For more information, see the Web site.
