Electrical hazards remain among the most serious risks at construction sites, and as projects become more technologically complex, the standards for managing that risk are rising too. This shift in complexity requires a combination of discipline in the fundamentals of electric safety, predictive technology and strict regulatory compliance applied to every phase of a project, says electrical and civil contractors Elevac Engineering MD Desmond Ngobeni.

The company’s approach starts with the premise that most incidents are preventable when the basics of electrical safety are treated as non-negotiable from the onset of every project. Ngobeni advocates for daily inspections of tools, distribution boards and cabling as a “first line of defence”.

At a busy construction site, temporary cables get crushed, dragged across sharp edges or left exposed to weather. He says catching the damage early stops small faults from causing electrical injury or fires.

That discipline extends to grounding and bonding, with Ngobeni adding that, “without correct earthing, fault current has nowhere to go, and equipment can become ‘live’ without warning”.

Wet conditions add another layer of risk, hence Ngobeni’s insisting on ground fault circuit interrupters wherever work takes place outdoors or near water. He says Elevac Engineering places strong emphasis on ongoing worker training in hazard recognition and the proper use of personal protective equip- ment.

Further, the company uses predictive technologies to take maintenance from a reactive to a proactive process, says Ngobeni.

Thermal imaging cameras are deployed during routine inspections to identify hot spots in connections before they fail. Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors are also being fitted to distribution boards and critical loads to provide real-time data on current, voltage and temperature.

He recommends early engagement with electrical contractors during the planning of construction projects to establish exclusion zones and barriers for areas where circuitry passes underground.

“Damaged temporary cables remain a persistent problem.”

Compliance is the third fundamental of Elevac Engineering’s approach to safety on construction sites.

“The updated SANS 10142-1:2024 wiring code now covers solar PV, battery storage, surge protection, and arc fault detection, reflecting the extent to which site electrical systems have evolved.” The update reflects South Africa’s continued efforts to adopt International Electrical Commission (IEC) standards in line with global compatibility for imported equipment.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act provides the legal backbone, requiring Certificates of Compliance (CoC) for electrical installations. Ngobeni says they should be used to verify that the design, installation, testing and maintenance processes are all code-compliant, rather than a paperwork exercise.

These standards are being applied to new materials and equipment in the construction sector. Arc fault detection devices are being installed to reduce fire risk in PV and storage circuits and surge protective devices are becoming increasingly standard to safeguard sensitive electronics and control systems.

IoT-enabled panels further allow for continuous monitoring and remote alarms so that a fault can be identified and addressed before it escalates. Improved insulation materials and double-insulated cabling are extending equipment life while reducing the need for regular maintenance.

Compliance requirements are becoming stricter as sites increasingly draw on hybrid power, blending grid supply with solar and battery storage. Load balancing is essential to maintain reliability under variable demand and continuous 24/7 monitoring is now effectively expected as part of the CoC process.

“This is where predictive data becomes critical because it provides the evidence trail needed for compliance and for insurance,” Ngobeni adds.

Despite better tools and tighter regulation, some issues still “slip through”. Temporary wiring is often left unprotected across walkways and grounding is neglected in the rush to complete projects. These issues must be prioritised as to prevent fatalities, he concludes.