Systems & Documentation · 6 checks · 1 critical

Electrical Safety
safety audit checklist

110V, PAT testing, RCDs, distribution boards.

Every check below says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation or HSE guidance it rests on and the defects that usually fail it. Critical checks are marked: a fail on one of those stops the activity.

  1. 1.
    110V supply used for portable equipment
    What to look for110V Centre-Tapped to Earth (CTE) supply via site transformer (BS 4363) for hand-held tools and trailing leads. Yellow-jacketed 110V cable. Plugs/sockets to BS EN 60309 (commando-style, yellow). 230V only for fixed/static plant in protected enclosures. Battery cordless tools preferred where possible.
    Acceptable whenElectricity at Work Regs 1989. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 IET Wiring Regs (Section 704, Construction sites). Reduced low voltage (110V CTE) standard for portable hand tools on UK construction sites. HSG141, Electrical safety on construction sites.
    StandardElectricity at Work Regs 1989. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (Section 704). BS 4363:1998 (transformers). BS EN 60309. HSG141.
    Common defects230V hand tool plugged into domestic socketYellow lead but actually 230V, colour code wrongNo 110V transformer on siteCentre-tap-earth not maintained, increases shock severityMixed sockets (110V/230V) without separation/locking
  2. 2.
    Distribution boards locked and labelled
    What to look forDistribution boards locked when not being switched. Each circuit clearly labelled. RCDs/MCBs accessible. Schedule of test results on board. Enclosure rated to environment (typically IP44 outdoor). Earth bonding intact. Live work prohibited, isolation procedures used.
    Acceptable whenElectricity at Work Regs 1989 Reg 8 (earthing) + Reg 13 (isolation). BS 7671 Section 704. Boards inspected at least 3-monthly (Section 704 minimum); test certificate retained. IP44 minimum outdoor.
    StandardElectricity at Work Regs 1989. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022. HSG141. HSG85, Electricity at work: Safe working practices.
    Common defectsDistribution board open / unlockedCircuits not labelled, wrong isolation in emergencyNo test certificate on fileIP rating insufficient, water ingressEarth bonding loose or removedTampering with RCD test button, locked open
  3. 3.
    No damaged cables or trailing leads
    Critical: a fail stops the work
    What to look forNo damaged outer sheath, no exposed inner conductors, no taped joins (use proper IP-rated couplers). Cables routed overhead (>2.5m) or via cable ramps. Cable reels fully unwound when in use (heat dissipation). No pinching by doors or vehicles. Strain reliefs intact at plug entry.
    Acceptable whenElectricity at Work Regs 1989 Reg 4(2), equipment maintained to prevent danger. PUWER 1998. BS 7671. Cable defects = immediate withdrawal until repaired by competent person.
    StandardElectricity at Work Regs 1989. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022. HSG141. INDG236, Maintaining portable electrical equipment.
    Common defectsOuter sheath damaged exposing inner coresJoins wrapped in PVC tape, not proper couplerCables on ground in standing waterCable reels coiled, overheating riskPlug strain relief broken, wires pulling outCables run under vehicle wheels
  4. 4.
    PAT testing current on equipment
    What to look forPAT label visible, in date, typical interval 3 months for site tools (Class I), 6-12 months for office equipment. Pre-use visual inspection mandatory. Damaged equipment removed. Records maintained. Test by competent person, IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing.
    Acceptable whenElectricity at Work Regs 1989, equipment maintained safe. PAT testing not legally mandated as such; combination of user check + formal visual + combined inspection and test. Risk-based intervals per IET Code of Practice 5th edition.
    StandardElectricity at Work Regs 1989. IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (5th ed). HSG107, Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment. INDG236.
    Common defectsPAT label expiredNo label at all on hire equipmentTester not competent, pass label on faulty equipmentEquipment failed test but back in usePre-use checks not done, relying on annual PAT alone
  5. 5.
    RCD protection in use
    What to look forRCD (residual current device) on every socket-outlet circuit. 30mA trip rating for personnel protection. Test button pressed monthly minimum (some sites weekly). RCDs not bypassed/locked open. Backup RCD on portable extension lead where main board RCD distant. Test indicates trip operates.
    Acceptable whenBS 7671:2018+A2:2022, additional protection by 30mA RCD on socket outlets up to 32A. Section 704 (construction). Monthly user test of test button. Defective RCDs replaced immediately.
    StandardBS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Sections 411/415/704. Electricity at Work Regs 1989. HSG141.
    Common defectsRCD bypassed because "kept tripping"Test button not pressed monthlyRCD failed test but circuit still energisedSingle RCD covering many circuits, nuisance trips lead to lockoutNo RCD on extension leads off non-RCD source
  6. 6.
    Temporary lighting in good condition
    What to look forFestoon lighting BS-marked, lamps with cages, 110V wherever possible. No hanging from cables, properly suspended. Halogen replaced with LED where possible (lower heat / fire risk). Lights not in contact with combustible materials. Wattage rated for fitting. Switches/connections IP-rated for environment.
    Acceptable whenElectricity at Work Regs 1989. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Section 704. BS 7671 Annex A (festoon lighting). HSG141. Halogen avoidance recommended due to high temperature.
    StandardElectricity at Work Regs 1989. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022. HSG141. HSG38, Lighting at work.
    Common defects500W halogen against timber, fire riskBulb cage missing, broken bulb fragmentsFestoon supported by the cable, not a separate suspensionBulbs blown / dark spots in routeSwitches not IP-rated for damp areaOperatives moving lights by the cable, strain on connector

Questions people ask

How often should a electrical safety audit be done?

Weekly is the common rhythm for a live site, plus whenever the work, the plant or the people change and after any incident or near miss. What matters is that it is scored, recorded, dated and the actions are closed out, not the exact frequency. Guidance, not legal advice.

What is the difference between a safety audit and an inspection?

An inspection looks at the site. An audit checks the system as well: is the paperwork there, do the people know it, is what was promised actually happening. On a small site the words blur, and that is fine. The checks below cover both.

What happens with a failed item?

A corrective action with an owner and a date, and a photo of the fail so nobody argues later. 1 of the 6 checks here are marked critical: a fail on one of those stops that activity until it is put right.

Who should carry out the audit?

A competent person, and where possible not the person whose work is being looked at. The site manager auditing the site manager's housekeeping is better than nothing, but a visiting supervisor or the SHEQ lead sees what the regular eye has stopped noticing.

Is a site safety audit a legal requirement?

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require arrangements for monitoring your health and safety measures (regulation 5), and CDM 2015 requires every contractor to plan, manage and monitor the work under their control (regulation 15). A recorded, scored audit is how you show that is happening. Guidance, not legal advice.

Score it on a phone, actions raised for you

The same 6 checks with the guidance a tap away, a score out of 100, photos against each fail, corrective actions with owners and dates, and a branded PDF. 14 days free.

Start free trial