Click here to return to the RoSPA NI Garden Electrical Safety Contents page.RoSPA NI : Electricity and You

Garden Electric Safety

Before you Start
Look for the BEAB label or KitemarkWhen buying electric gardening tools and appliances always:

  • Look for the BEAB label or Kitemark, it means the appliance has been type-tested and approved for safety. Make sure all the electrical appliances and equipment you buy are approved for safety.


  • When you do go out and the garden is wet, wear rubber boots to increase your protection should an electrical fault occur.


  • Dress properly! Never use any garden appliances barefoot or with open sandals. Wear trousers and strong flat-heeled shoes. Beware of flapping clothing and belts that might catch or trip you up. If you are using a rotary or hover mower it is important to wear very stout shoes or boots.


  • Check the plug is correctly fused and wired, with the cable clamp firmly holding the outer sheath. Modern plugs are of the fused type with flat pins and are designed for use with 13 amp socket outlets.Keep children and pets under control! Never allow young children to operate equipment. Never allow children or pets to distract you while it is in use.


  • Before you mow, remove any loose stones or debris from the lawn. Stones or debris could damage your mower or more seriously could be flicked up and injure you. Where it is not possible to clear stones from paths and edges of flower beds, it is important to wear proper eye protectors.


  • Take care when digging - there may be buried electrical cables.

Click here to go to the top of the page.Check your equipment

  • Before you plug in and switch on, check your equipment has no worn or loose parts. Check that grass boxes, stone-guards and other attachments are securely in position.


  • Check the flex and extension lead carefully when uncoiled for loose connections or damaged insulation.


  • If the appliance you are attaching to a plug isn't new, first check the colours of the wiring. The illustration below shows the old and the new colour coding for flexes.Check the plug is correctly fused and wired, with the cable clamp firmly holding the outer sheath. Modern plugs are of the fused type with flat pins and are designed for use with 13 amp socket outlets.


  • If the appliance you are attaching to a plug isn't new, first check the colours of the wiring. This illustration shows the old and the new colour coding for flexes.


  • Most gardening equipment is double insulated for extra protection. This equipment has only two wires - Neutral and Live. Make sure you connect them up correctly.

Most gardening equipment is double insulated for extra protection. This equipment has only two wires - Neutral and Live. Make sure you connect them up correctly.

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Produced in association with Northern Ireland Electricity - www.nie.co.uk
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