We want to make the world a little safer every day with our products and expertise. That includes sharing our knowledge, for example by raising awareness of potential hazards in everyday (working) life.
Usually, you cannot see, hear or smell electricity. Yet if it is handled incorrectly, it can damage health or even endanger life. Every year,
accidents happen relating to electricity, some of them serious. BG ETEM alone reported more than 3600 incidents in its field in 2017. In 2015, 36 people died in Germany due to an electrical accident. Thankfully, the number of fatalities has been falling for some years.
Many electrical accidents can be prevented by acting properly. That’s why we publish our rules for handling electricity safely: to remind laypersons and qualified electricians alike what they need to look out for.
The basic requirement for using electricity safely is to take appropriate measures yourself and ensure electrical installation is safe.
- Use safe, high-quality, long-term products. Ensure all products have a CE mark and/or are certified to DIN, EN or IEC standards or other technical regulations and laws.
- Regularly test residual current circuit-breakers to ensure they work properly by pressing the test button. Then you can be sure that the equipment is working properly and will extend its life. Laypersons can do this too.
- Electrical installations can age and should therefore be checked regularly by an expert. An e-check by a member of a professional body is recommended for this.
- Even though electrical installation products are often freely available to buy, selecting and installing them is a matter for electrical professionals.
- Where electrical installation work is to be carried out, the following five safety rules apply, particularly to qualified electricians: release, secure against restart, ensure disconnection from the power, earth and short-circuit if necessary and cover or contain any live parts.
