How do I know if my electrical equipment is safe?

You can find out if your electrical equipment is safe by carrying out suitable checks, such as inspection and / or testing. The level of inspection and / or testing should depend upon the risks. A simple visual inspection is likely to be sufficient for equipment used in a clean, dry environment. In addition, equipment that is more likely to become damaged, or is operated in a harsh environment, is likely to require more demanding electrical tests. For further information, see: Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment.
Checks should be carried out often enough to ensure there is little chance the equipment will become unsafe between checks. It is good practice to make a decision on how often each piece of equipment should be checked, write this down, make sure checks are carried out accordingly and write down the results. You should change how often you carry out checks, according to the number and severity of faults found.
The best way to find out if specialised equipment is safe is to have it inspected and tested by a person with specific competence on that type of equipment. This may be the original manufacturer or their authorised service and repair agent. A reputable servicing company that deals with that type of equipment should also be competent to check its safety.

Check that the electrical equipment is in good condition

Many faults with work equipment can be found during a simple visual inspection:

• Switch off and unplug the equipment before you start any checks.
• Check that the plug is correctly wired (but only if you are competent to do so).
• Ensure the fuse is correctly rated by checking the equipment rating plate or instruction book.
• Check that the plug is not damaged and that the cable is properly secured with no internal wires visible.
• Check the electrical cable is not damaged and has not been repaired with insulating tape or an unsuitable connector. Damaged cable should be replaced with a new cable by a competent person.
• Check that the outer cover of the equipment is not damaged in a way that will give rise to electrical or mechanical hazards.
• Check for burn marks or staining that suggests the equipment is overheating.
• Position any trailing wires so that they are not a trip hazard and are less likely to get damaged.