⚡ Electrical Risks in Schools: Are You Managing the Hidden Dangers?

Steven Harrison CMgr MCMI
Jul 20
5 min read

Electrical safety in schools is often underestimated — until something goes wrong. From power-hungry IT suites and science labs to food tech rooms and ageing classroom infrastructure, electrical systems in educational settings are constantly under pressure.

As a duty-holder — whether you're a Headteacher, Site Manager, Facilities Lead, or Trust Compliance Officer — your legal and moral responsibility is to ensure that staff, pupils, and visitors are kept safe from harm caused by electrical systems or equipment.

In this blog, we’ll break down the key requirements under UK legislation, outline common pitfalls in school environments, and share five essential measures you can take to manage electrical risks effectively and stay compliant.

Why Electrical Safety in Schools Deserves More Attention

Educational buildings are often complex, high-traffic spaces. Unlike offices or commercial premises, schools contain:

Multiple user groups (teachers, pupils, visitors, contractors)
Young children, who are naturally curious and unaware of risks
High demand for equipment (from interactive whiteboards to mobile cooking stations)
Limited budgets and deferred maintenance
A mix of old and new buildings with varying electrical standards

These unique factors create a higher risk profile — and when electrical hazards are not properly controlled, the consequences can be severe.

Legal Framework: The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

In the UK, electrical safety is governed by the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. These regulations place a legal duty on employers to ensure electrical systems are constructed and maintained in a condition that prevents danger.

Key principles include:

All systems must be safely constructed and maintained
Persons working with electricity must be competent
Equipment must be used in accordance with safety requirements
Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent risk

In a school setting, this means proactively managing the condition and use of everything from fixed wiring to toasters in the staff room.

Common Electrical Hazards in School Environments

Here are some of the typical electrical risks found in school settings:

Overloaded plug sockets and extension leads
Loose or damaged cables, often caused by chair legs or moving furniture
Infrequent PAT testing, especially in music, PE, and admin areas
Poor visibility of distribution boards or locked-off electrical rooms
Ageing infrastructure that’s no longer fit for current demand
Water near electrical items, particularly in science or food tech rooms
Lack of reporting culture, where minor faults go unaddressed

These may seem small individually, but over time they accumulate into significant risk — especially in primary settings where children's curiosity can put them in harm’s way.

Five Practical Measures to Control Electrical Risk in Schools

Let’s break down five core areas of action that schools can implement to effectively manage electrical risk and remain compliant with legal duties.

1️⃣ Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)

Too often, electrical problems are addressed reactively — when something goes wrong. This approach is not only unsafe but can also be costlier in the long run.

A Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme ensures:

Periodic inspection of fixed wiring systems (typically every 5 years for schools)
Servicing of lighting systems, circuit breakers, and distribution boards
Early detection of wear, corrosion, or damage before it leads to failure

This proactive approach reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns, fire hazards, and injury. It also strengthens your compliance posture in the event of an audit or incident.

🛠️ Tip: Keep a digital log of all PPM activities and certificates in one centralised system — it makes auditing and record retrieval fast and effective.

2️⃣ Keep Up with Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

PAT Testing is often misunderstood as a tick-box exercise — but it's an essential tool to ensure that equipment used daily is safe and fit for purpose.

In schools, PAT should be risk-based, not just time-based. For example:

Daily-use equipment like laptops, kettles, and vacuum cleaners may require annual or more frequent testing
Low-use or static items (e.g., desktop printers) may require less frequent attention
Shared equipment that moves between rooms (e.g., projectors, speakers) should be tested more often

📚 Note: It’s not just about testing — it’s also about educating staff not to bring in personal electrical items without clearance or testing.

3️⃣ Educate Staff on Basic Electrical Safety

Your staff are the eyes and ears of your safety system. But without the right knowledge, even the most obvious electrical hazards may go unnoticed.

Build a culture of awareness by:

Including basic electrical safety training in staff inductions
Issuing clear guidance on spotting and reporting faults (e.g., frayed cables, damaged plugs, burning smells)
Posting simple visual checklists in classrooms and staff rooms
Encouraging a culture where no fault is too small to report

Training doesn’t need to be time-consuming — even short toolbox talks during inset days can make a huge difference.

🧠 Tip: Reinforce the message regularly — not just once a year. Embed it into your school’s safety culture.

4️⃣ Child-Proof and Safe by Design

Young pupils, especially in early years and primary settings, are naturally inquisitive. Electrical systems should be designed to anticipate and eliminate child interaction risks wherever possible.

Key design considerations include:

Tamper-resistant socket covers
Trunking or cable guards to protect wiring from exposure
Secured access to electrical switchboards, fuse boxes, and plant rooms
Raised sockets or wall-mounted installations to limit children's reach
Caution signage near high-voltage or restricted areas

Additionally, temporary classrooms, PE halls, and after-school activity areas should be subject to extra scrutiny, as they may have ad-hoc setups that bypass normal controls.

5️⃣ Log and Review: Maintain Robust Records

Having a robust paper trail is not just about documentation — it’s about demonstrating compliance and being able to react confidently in the event of an incident or HSE investigation.

Schools should maintain:

Records of fixed wire tests and certificates (usually 5-year intervals)
PAT logs and re-test intervals for all portable items
Training records for staff (including any external CPD)
Incident reports and subsequent remedial actions
Asset registers linked to condition inspections

📁 Digital tools such as compliance software or SharePoint registers make recordkeeping more efficient and accessible during audits.

When Things Go Wrong: Real Consequences

Unfortunately, electrical failures in schools can and do happen — and the repercussions are serious. These may include:

Electric shock injuries to staff or pupils
Fire damage due to electrical faults
Enforcement notices from HSE or local authorities
Reputational harm and parent concerns
Financial penalties or increased insurance premiums

In several high-profile cases, schools have faced closure of areas, emergency rewiring, and extensive disruption because systems were not maintained to safe standards.

Final Thoughts: Prevention is Protection

Managing electrical safety in schools is not just a compliance box to tick — it’s a core part of your duty of care to students, staff, and the wider community.

By putting in place robust controls, maintaining clear records, and embedding awareness into daily operations, schools can stay ahead of risk, avoid costly incidents, and foster a culture of safety.

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