Despite the UK’s sixth wettest July on record, with an average of 140.1mm of rain falling, many of us are still using the rare moments of evening sunshine to spend time outdoors.
Whether it’s a pub garden or an outdoor dining area, electrical heaters and lighting installations can make the experience a lot more pleasant. But this equipment also brings risks, especially if incorrectly installed.
If you work in hospitality, you have a responsibility to ensure that outdoor electrical equipment doesn’t pose a threat to your customers (or staff). Getting it wrong can have grave consequences, so it’s vital to check and double check. Here’s our guide to your responsibilities, and what you can do to make sure an idyllic evening doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
What are the risks?
Improperly installed electrical equipment can be extremely dangerous in an outdoor setting. This was demonstrated in tragic fashion in 2018 when a seven-year-old boy was electrocuted in an Essex beer garden. Harvey Tyrell was killed after he touched an unsafe lighting rig at a pub in Harold Wood. The pub’s owner pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for nine years in 2021.
The HSE and Harvey’s mother, Danielle, issued an appeal this summer highlighting the dangers as well as care which should be taken to avoid such future catastrophes.
What are my responsibilities?
Your duties as an employer are set out in The Electrical Safety at Work Regulations 1989. This is a far-reaching law designed to protect workers and customers from injury or death caused by electrical shocks, burns or fires. It’s a detailed piece of legislation, but it can be boiled down to four main responsibilities:
- Installing electrical equipment in a way that is safe and legally compliant
- Having electrical systems inspected regularly by a qualified electrician
- Carrying out PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) on portable electrical devices
- Training employees to use electrical equipment safely
Of course, general health and safety law like the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 apply, too.
How can I ensure that outdoor equipment is safe?
These are general guidelines for all electrical equipment, but there are specific steps you can take to ensure safety in outdoor settings. Before installing any outdoor equipment, it’s important to do the following:
- Make sure the equipment is suitable for outdoor use (low voltage or solar equipment may be the safest option)
- Check the equipment for signs of damage, especially if it has been kept in storage
- Ensure that your electrical installation is in good condition and is able to accommodate the new equipment without overloading
- Make sure that sockets are appropriate for outdoor use and are equipped with an RCD (residual current device)
- Ensure that sockets are in a location that can’t be accessed by the public
- Switch off the electrical supply before connecting new equipment
Occasionally, you may come across an electrical device that doesn’t connect via a socket. These devices should only be installed and maintained by a qualified electrician.
A safe installation will go a long way to reducing the risk of electrocution, but even correctly installed equipment can pose a threat.
Practices like reading the manufacturer’s instructions and retaining them for future reference; keeping the equipment away from flammable materials; regularly checking the equipment for signs of damage; and saving the packaging for future storage and ensuring that storage areas are cool and dry should all help with ongoing safety.
Further help getting it right
Summer can be a hectic time in hospitality, but that’s no excuse to put customers in danger. If you have any questions about electrical safety, or any other aspect of H&S, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
