# 11.1 Electrical Safety Overview
**Version:** V2
**Date:** October 2025
**Last Updated:** 27 October 2025
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## Purpose
To establish a framework for electrical safety across all Little Coffee Bean Co locations (mobile Tuk Tuks and fixed shops) in compliance with UK electrical safety regulations, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, and company policy.
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## Scope
This SOP applies to all staff, managers, and franchisees responsible for electrical equipment operation, maintenance, and safety at all Little Coffee Bean Co locations.
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## Regulatory Framework
– **BS 7671:2018** – Wiring Regulations (UK electrical installation standard)
– **Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974**
– **Electricity at Work Regulations 1989**
– **HSE Guidance on Electrical Safety in the Workplace**
– **UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) Guidelines** for commercial kitchens
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## Key Principles
### 1. Prevention of Electrical Hazards
All electrical equipment must be:
– Properly installed by qualified electricians
– Regularly inspected and tested
– Maintained in safe working condition
– Immediately removed from service if damaged or faulty
### 2. Competence
Only qualified electricians may:
– Install or modify electrical systems
– Perform PAT testing
– Repair electrical equipment
– Conduct electrical safety inspections
Staff may operate equipment but must report faults immediately.
### 3. Risk Assessment
Each location has an individual electrical risk assessment that identifies:
– Hazards specific to the site
– Equipment in use
– Testing schedules
– Emergency procedures
– Fuse box and circuit breaker locations
**Note:** Local operating procedures for your specific location will detail the exact locations of fuse boxes, circuit breakers, and emergency shutdown points.
### 4. Emergency Procedures
All staff must know:
– Location of main electrical switch/isolator
– How to safely shut down power in an emergency
– Who to contact in case of electrical fault or hazard
– Escalation procedures (see Section 1.3 – Troubleshooting Escalation Protocol)
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## Electrical Equipment Categories
### High-Risk Equipment
– Coffee machines (Frachino dual-fuel)
– Fryers
– Grills (Panini, flat)
– Pizza ovens
– Hot holding equipment
– Refrigeration units
### Standard Equipment
– Tills/POS systems
– Milk frothers
– Blenders
– Toasters
– Kettles
### Low-Risk Equipment
– Lights
– Fans
– Chargers
– Small hand tools
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## Common Electrical Hazards
| Hazard | Risk | Control |
|——–|——|———|
| Damaged cables/plugs | Electric shock, fire | Daily visual checks, immediate removal |
| Wet environments | Electric shock | Proper drainage, RCD protection |
| Overloaded circuits | Fire, equipment damage | Load assessment, separate circuits |
| Faulty equipment | Electric shock, injury | PAT testing, immediate repair/removal |
| Poor maintenance | Equipment failure, safety risk | Regular inspection, preventive maintenance |
| Untrained staff | Misuse, injury | Comprehensive training, supervision |
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## Staff Responsibilities
**All Staff:**
– Conduct daily visual checks of equipment (Section 11.2)
– Report electrical faults immediately to manager
– Do not attempt to repair electrical equipment
– Follow emergency procedures (Section 11.6)
**Managers:**
– Ensure PAT testing is scheduled (Section 11.3)
– Maintain electrical safety records
– Coordinate with qualified electricians for repairs
– Escalate urgent electrical hazards (Section 1.3)
**Franchisees:**
– Ensure compliance with all electrical safety procedures
– Arrange PAT testing per company schedule
– Maintain local operating procedures for fuse box/circuit breaker locations
– Report all electrical incidents
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## Local Operating Procedures
**Each location will have a Local Operating Procedure document that includes:**
– Exact location of main electrical switch/isolator
– Fuse box location and layout
– Circuit breaker identification and purpose
– Emergency shutdown procedures specific to that site
– Contact details for qualified electrician
– Equipment inventory and testing schedule
**Franchisees and managers must ensure this document is:**
– Displayed prominently near the main electrical switch
– Accessible to all staff
– Updated whenever electrical changes are made
– Reviewed during induction training
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## Related Sections
– **Section 1.3** – Troubleshooting Escalation Protocol
– **Section 14.2** – Risk Assessment
– **Section 14.7** – Gas Safety (for dual-fuel equipment)
– **Section 8** – Cleaning and Maintenance (equipment care)
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## References
– Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Electrical Safety in the Workplace
– BS 7671:2018 – Requirements for Electrical Installations
– Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
– UK Food Standards Agency – Commercial Kitchen Safety
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## Sign-Off
**Created by:** Little Coffee Bean Co Operations Team
**Approved by:** Company Director
**Next Review Date:** October 2026