Risk Assessment for Electrical Distribution Systems

Assessment Date: [DATE]

Assessor: [ASSESSOR NAME]

Department/Area: [DEPARTMENT/AREA]

Review Date: [REVIEW DATE]

1. Assessment Scope

This risk assessment covers all activities related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical distribution systems. It includes work on overhead and underground lines, substations, transformers, and associated equipment. The scope encompasses all personnel involved in these activities, including electricians, technicians, and supervisors. Excluded from this assessment are electrical installations within buildings and equipment that are not part of the distribution system.

2. Risk Assessment Methodology

This risk assessment employs a 5x5 risk matrix to determine risk ratings. The likelihood of occurrence is rated on a scale of Rare, Unlikely, Possible, Likely, and Almost Certain. Severity is rated on a scale of Negligible, Minor, Moderate, Major, and Catastrophic. The risk rating is determined by the intersection of likelihood and severity, resulting in a rating of Low, Medium, High, or Extreme. Control measures are identified following the hierarchy of controls: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Residual risk is assessed after implementing control measures to ensure risks are reduced to an acceptable level.

3. Risk Matrix Reference

The following matrix is used to evaluate risk levels based on likelihood and severity:

		Likelihood
Rare	Unlikely	Possible	Likely	Almost Certain
Severity	Catastrophic	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High
Major	Low	Low	Medium	High	High
Moderate	Low	Medium	Medium	High	Extreme
Minor	Low	Medium	High	Extreme	Extreme
Negligible	Low	Medium	High	Extreme	Extreme

4. Hazard Identification and Risk Evaluation

1. Contact with energized conductors or equipment.

Potential Consequences: Electrocution, burns, electrical shock.

Affected Persons: Workers, public

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Likely	Major	High

Control Measures

• De-energize and lockout/tagout equipment before work.
• Use insulated tools and equipment.
• Maintain safe approach distances.
• Wear appropriate PPE (insulated gloves, sleeves, arc-rated clothing).
• Implement grounding procedures.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Moderate	Medium

2. Falls from heights while working on overhead lines or equipment.

Potential Consequences: Serious injury, death.

Affected Persons: Workers

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	Medium

Control Measures

• Use fall protection equipment (harness, lanyard).
• Ensure proper anchorage points.
• Inspect fall protection equipment before use.
• Provide training on fall protection.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Moderate	Low

3. Equipment malfunction or failure (e.g., transformer explosion, line breakage).

Potential Consequences: Equipment damage, fire, explosion, injury.

Affected Persons: Workers, public

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Major	Medium

Control Measures

• Inspect equipment regularly.
• Use equipment within its rated capacity.
• Provide training on proper equipment use.
• Implement a preventative maintenance program.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Moderate	Low

4. Arc flash and arc blast.

Potential Consequences: Severe burns, blindness, hearing loss, death.

Affected Persons: Workers

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	Medium

Control Measures

• Provide training on arc flash hazards.
• Wear arc-rated clothing and PPE.
• Use remote switching devices.
• Conduct arc flash risk assessments.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Moderate	Low

5. Striking underground utilities (e.g., gas lines, communication cables).

Potential Consequences: Service disruption, explosion, electrocution, injury.

Affected Persons: Workers, public

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	Medium

Control Measures

• Identify underground utilities before digging.
• Use safe digging practices.
• Provide training on underground utility hazards.
• Implement a permit-to-dig system.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Moderate	Low

6. Confined space hazards (e.g., manholes, vaults).

Potential Consequences: Asphyxiation, exposure to toxic gases, explosion.

Affected Persons: Workers

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Ensure proper ventilation.
• Use gas detectors.
• Provide training on confined space entry procedures.
• Implement a confined space entry permit system.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Minor	Low

5. General Control Measures

• All personnel must be qualified and trained for the specific electrical work they are performing.

Verify qualifications and training records.

• Conduct thorough job briefings before starting any electrical work.

Use a standardized job briefing checklist. [3] [3] [3]

• Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including insulated gloves, sleeves, and arc-rated clothing.

Ensure PPE is inspected before each use. [2]

• Implement lockout/tagout procedures to de-energize equipment before maintenance or repair.

Follow a written lockout/tagout procedure.

• Maintain a safe approach distance from energized parts.

Refer to minimum approach distances in 1910.269(l)(3)(i).

6. Emergency Preparedness

• In case of electrical contact, immediately de-energize the circuit if safe to do so.
• Administer first aid and call for emergency medical services.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away from the area.
• Report all incidents immediately

7. Training Requirements

• Electrical Safety Training: Training on the recognition of electrical hazards, safe work practices, and the use of PPE. [1]
  • Basic electrical safety
  • Lockout/Tagout procedures
  • Arc flash awareness
• Fall Protection Training: Training on the proper use, inspection, and maintenance of fall protection equipment.
  • Harness inspection
  • Lanyard use
  • Anchorage requirements
• Confined Space Entry Training: Training on confined space entry procedures, hazard recognition, and the use of monitoring equipment.
  • Permit requirements
  • Atmospheric monitoring
  • Rescue procedures
• First Aid/CPR Training: Training on CPR and first aid procedures.
  • CPR techniques
  • First aid basics
  • Emergency response

8. Monitoring and Review

Review Frequency: Annually, or after any incident or significant change in procedures

Monitoring Type	Frequency	Responsible Party	Description
Regular Inspection	Monthly	Supervisors	Regular inspections of electrical equipment and PPE.
Performance Indicator	Quarterly	Safety Manager	Review of incident reports and near misses.
Audit	Annually	Safety Department	Periodic audits of lockout/tagout procedures.
Regular Inspection	Monthly	Supervisors	Observation of work practices to ensure compliance with safety procedures.

9. Special Circumstances

• Adverse weather conditions (e.g., rain, snow, lightning) increase the risk of electrical hazards.
• Night work reduces visibility and increases the risk of accidents.
• Lone work increases the response time in case of an emergency.

Approval and Sign-off

This risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by:

Assessor: _________________________ Date: __________

Manager/Supervisor: _________________________ Date: __________

Safety Representative: _________________________ Date: __________

This risk assessment must be reviewed annually, or after any incident or significant change in procedures or when significant changes occur.

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