The place matters (article 3.1)
The installation and equipment must suit the place: highly conductive surfaces, water or damp, explosive atmospheres, flammable materials or corrosive environments greatly increase the risk. The guide recalls that the previous low-voltage regulations set 24 V for damp or wet premises and 50 V for dry ones as safety voltages.
Fire and explosion (annex VI)
- Where there may be an explosive atmosphere, changing lamps, fuses, etc. while live is forbidden, unless installations and equipment designed for it are used.
- Before the work, check that fire extinguishers are available, suitable and in good condition.
Static electricity (annex VI, part B)
- It builds up through friction of insulating materials and when spraying, decanting or storing liquids or powders, especially flammable ones.
- It is prevented with earthing, antistatic materials (footwear, carpets), more humidity in the air and less free-falling liquid.
And anyone working live does not wear bracelets, watches, chains or metal zips (annex III.A).
In practiceMopping a kitchen floor with the fryer's power strip on the floor mixes water
and electricity: lift the strip, dry your hands and do not touch equipment while standing in a puddle.
Source: Real Decreto 614/2001, sobre protección frente al riesgo eléctrico (Royal Decree on protection against electrical risk; consolidated text, in Spanish), article 3.1 and annexes III.A and VI · INSST, Guía técnica para la evaluación y prevención del riesgo eléctrico (technical guide, 2020, in Spanish), comments on article 3