# 11.6 Emergency Electrical Shutdown V2
**Company:** Little Coffee Bean Co
**Version:** V2
**Last Updated:** October 2025
**Review Date:** October 2026
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## Purpose
This SOP establishes critical procedures for safely shutting down electrical systems during emergencies including electrical fires, equipment malfunction, smoke, sparks, or other electrical hazards. These procedures protect staff safety, prevent equipment damage, and minimize business disruption.
## Scope
This procedure applies to:
– All Little Coffee Bean Co locations (fixed shops and mobile Tuk Tuks)
– All staff members working with electrical equipment
– Emergency situations involving electrical hazards
– Planned emergency shutdown drills
## Equipment Required
– Emergency shutdown switches (where installed)
– Circuit breaker panel access
– Fire extinguisher (Class C/electrical rated)
– Personal protective equipment (insulated gloves if available)
– Emergency contact list
– Incident report forms
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## Emergency Shutdown Procedures
### 1. Immediate Response to Electrical Emergency
**When to initiate emergency shutdown:**
– Visible smoke or fire from electrical equipment
– Sparks or arcing from outlets, switches, or equipment
– Burning smell from electrical sources
– Equipment overheating beyond normal operating temperature
– Water contact with electrical systems
– Exposed wiring or damaged electrical components
– Repeated circuit breaker trips
– Staff receiving electrical shocks
**Immediate actions:**
1. **Alert all staff** – Shout “ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY” clearly
2. **Evacuate customers** from immediate danger area
3. **Do not touch** any electrical equipment with bare hands
4. **Do not use water** on electrical fires
### 2. Main Power Isolation
**Step-by-step shutdown sequence:**
**For Fixed Shop Locations:**
1. Locate the main electrical panel/fuse box
2. Identify the main circuit breaker (usually at top of panel)
3. Switch main breaker to OFF position (down)
4. Verify power loss by checking lights and equipment
5. If emergency shutdown switch is installed, use it first
6. Lock out the panel if possible to prevent accidental re-energization
**For Mobile Tuk Tuk Units:**
1. Switch off the main power isolator switch
2. Disconnect from external power source if connected
3. Switch off LPG supply if applicable
4. Disconnect battery if safe to do so
5. Ensure all equipment has stopped operating
### 3. Equipment-Specific Shutdown
**Coffee Machine:**
– Allow machine to cool before touching
– Do not open machine panels during emergency
– Note any visible damage or burning
**Grinder:**
– Verify power disconnection
– Check for overheating or burning smell
– Clear any jammed beans if safe
**POS System:**
– Allow proper shutdown if time permits
– Note transaction status for later recovery
– Protect equipment from water/fire suppression
**Refrigeration:**
– Note shutdown time for food safety
– Keep doors closed to maintain temperature
– Plan for alternative cold storage if extended outage
### 4. Fire Response
**If electrical fire is present:**
**Small, contained fire (smaller than wastepaper basket):**
1. Use Class C fire extinguisher ONLY
2. Aim at base of fire
3. Sweep side to side
4. Do not use water or foam extinguishers
**Large or spreading fire:**
1. Evacuate all staff and customers immediately
2. Call 999 (Fire Brigade)
3. Do not attempt to fight the fire
4. Close doors to contain fire if safe to do so
5. Evacuate to assembly point
6. Account for all staff
### 5. Post-Shutdown Safety Checks
**After power is isolated:**
1. **Visual inspection** (from safe distance):
– Check for smoke or smoldering
– Look for damaged wiring or equipment
– Identify source of problem if visible
– Note any water damage
2. **Ventilation:**
– Open windows and doors if safe
– Use fans to clear smoke (battery-powered only)
– Do not re-enter if heavy smoke present
3. **Secure the area:**
– Cordon off affected area
– Post warning signs
– Prevent customer and staff access
– Guard electrical panel to prevent unauthorized access
### 6. Emergency Contacts and Reporting
**Immediate notifications (in order):**
1. **Emergency Services** (if required):
– Fire: 999
– Ambulance: 999 (if injuries)
2. **Management Escalation:**
– Store Manager (immediate)
– Area Manager (within 15 minutes)
– Operations Manager (within 30 minutes)
– Company Director (for serious incidents)
3. **Utility Company:**
– Report electrical hazards to local electricity provider
– Request emergency inspection if required
4. **Insurance:**
– Notify insurance provider within 24 hours
– Document all damage with photos
**Incident documentation:**
– Complete Incident Report Form immediately
– Record time of emergency
– List all witnesses
– Describe sequence of events
– Note equipment involved
– Document any injuries
– Take photographs of damage
– Preserve evidence for investigation
### 7. System Restart Procedures
**DO NOT restart electrical systems until:**
– Emergency has been fully resolved
– Qualified electrician has inspected the system
– All damaged equipment has been isolated
– Written clearance from competent person received
– Management has authorized restart
**Restart sequence (when authorized):**
1. Ensure all equipment switches are OFF
2. Visual inspection of all equipment
3. Check for water or contamination
4. Restore main power at circuit breaker
5. Test each circuit individually
6. Power up equipment one at a time
7. Monitor for any abnormal operation
8. Complete restart checklist
### 8. Staff Communication During Emergency
**Clear communication protocols:**
– Use loud, clear voice commands
– Designate one person to call emergency services
– Assign roles (evacuation coordinator, first aider, etc.)
– Keep customers calm and informed
– Do not spread panic
– Use established assembly point
– Account for all persons
**Customer communication:**
– Apologize for disruption
– Ensure customer safety first
– Provide clear evacuation instructions
– Do not discuss cause or blame
– Refer media inquiries to management
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## Quality Checks
– [ ] All staff trained on emergency shutdown procedures
– [ ] Emergency shutdown switches clearly labeled and accessible
– [ ] Circuit breaker panel location known to all staff
– [ ] Fire extinguishers inspected and rated for electrical fires
– [ ] Emergency contact list current and accessible
– [ ] Incident report forms readily available
– [ ] Evacuation routes clearly marked
– [ ] Assembly point designated and communicated
– [ ] Monthly emergency drills conducted and documented
– [ ] All electrical panels clearly labeled
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## Safety Notes
⚠️ **CRITICAL SAFETY WARNINGS:**
– **Never use water on electrical fires** – Use Class C extinguisher only
– **Never touch electrical equipment during emergency** – Risk of electrocution
– **Never attempt repairs during emergency** – Wait for qualified electrician
– **Always evacuate if situation escalates** – Life safety is priority
– **Never re-energize without inspection** – Hidden damage may exist
**Personal safety priorities:**
1. Staff safety
2. Customer safety
3. Property protection
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## Training Requirements
**All staff must receive training on:**
– Location of main electrical panel
– How to operate circuit breakers
– Emergency shutdown switch operation
– Fire extinguisher use
– Evacuation procedures
– Emergency contact protocols
**Training frequency:** Annual refresher, plus induction for new staff
**Training documentation:** Maintain signed training records
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## Related Documents
– 11.1 Electrical Safety Overview V2
– 11.2 Daily Electrical Safety Checks V2
– 11.4 Power Failure Procedures V2
– 11.5 Fuse Box & Circuit Breaker Management V2
– 14.2 Risk Assessment
– 14.3 Fire Risk Assessment
– Local Electrical Operating Procedures (site-specific)
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## Compliance References
**UK Regulations:**
– Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
– Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
– Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
– Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
**Standards:**
– BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations)
– HSE Guidance HSG85 (Electricity at Work)
– HSE Guidance HSG47 (Avoiding Danger from Underground Services)
**HSE Guidance:**
– Electrical safety and you
– Maintaining portable electrical equipment
– Electrical safety in the workplace
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**Document Control:**
Created: October 2025
Author: Little Coffee Bean Co Operations Team
Approved by: Company Director
Next Review: October 2026
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**For site-specific fuse box locations, circuit breaker layouts, and emergency shutdown switch positions, refer to Local Electrical Operating Procedures for your location.**