Electrical Safety in Construction: What Every Builder Must Know

Electrical hazards are among the leading causes of injury on construction sites. Most incidents are entirely preventable.

Cable Selection

Use the correct gauge for the load: 1.5mm for lighting, 2.5mm for sockets, 4mm for heavy appliances.

Circuit Protection

Every circuit must be protected by a correctly rated MCB. Never substitute fuses — they don't respond fast enough.

Earthing and Bonding

All metalwork must be bonded to earth to provide a safe fault-current path and trigger the MCB.

Safe Working Practices

• Always isolate supply before working on any circuit
• Test with a voltage tester — never assume a circuit is dead
• Use double-insulated tools on site
• Keep cables off the floor and away from water