Analysis of electrical accidents in UK domestic properties

Abstract

Electricity is one of the most convenient forms of energy that is used in every building today. However, it causes a number of fatalities every year and has the potential to cause harm to anyone exposed to it. This article, investigates the cause and effects of electrical accidents in domestic properties over a 3-year period (2000—2002) in the UK based on the 24th Report of the Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System (HASS/LASS). The electrical accident data from this database was analysed to establish electrical injury trends for various categories and groups. This highlighted the high-risk activities, which led to receiving an electric shock in a domestic property and identified at-risk groups that could most benefit from electrical safety interventions. In order to enhance electrical safety and to aid in the formulation of the relevant national wiring regulations, it is imperative that the narrative reports and statistics presented in the HASS/LASS document and this article are considered by regulators, manufacturers, educators, safety officers and engineers so that the whole of society can benefit. Based on the evidence and analysis presented in this article, it was concluded that there are a number of recommended protective measures designers, installers and regulators could consider implementing to advance electrical safety in the home.

Practical application: Engineers, educators, manufacturers and regulators can use the information highlighted in this article to improve electrical safety in the built environment.