An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What an electrical risk assessment is
An electrical risk assessment identifies risks arising from electrical systems, installations and equipment — electric shock, burns, arc flash, and fire or explosion — and records the controls, from safe systems of work and isolation to inspection, testing and competent persons.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their electrical assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify electrical hazards in systems, installations and equipment.
- Judge who could be harmed and how, including non-electrical staff.
- Record controls — isolation, safe working, inspection and testing.
- Ensure only competent people work on electrical systems.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer, with electrical knowledge.
- With input from those who install, maintain or use the equipment.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the assessor is competent.
When it is used
- For workplaces with electrical systems and equipment.
- Before electrical work or new installations.
- When systems, equipment or use change.
- After a fault, shock or fire, or on a review cycle.
Typical fields
- Systems, installations or equipment assessed, and the area.
- Hazards — shock, burns, arc flash, fire — and who is at risk.
- Controls — isolation, safe working, guarding, inspection and testing.
- Competence requirements and permit arrangements.
- Actions, owners and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the installation and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Working on or near live parts without proper justification and control.
- Allowing untrained people to carry out electrical work.
- No reliable isolation and proving-dead procedure.
- Never reviewing it after changes or faults.
Document workflow
An electrical risk assessment sits within the wider risk assessment and underpins the safe system of work, isolation procedures and, for higher-risk tasks, a permit to work. It links to inspection and testing records; a change, fault or incident triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with an electrical risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
Electrical assessments and inspection and test records are generally kept for as long as they are relevant, and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Electrical assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside inspection, test and permit records. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Use only competent people for electrical work.
- Provide and follow reliable isolation and proving procedures.
- Maintain inspection and testing of installations and equipment.
- Use permits for higher-risk tasks and review after changes or faults.
Worker notes
- Do not work on electrical systems unless trained and authorised.
- Report damaged cables, equipment or signs of overheating.
- Follow isolation and lock-off procedures exactly.
Country considerations
Electrical safety duties, standards, inspection and competence rules vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling electrical risk, ensuring competence, and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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