Requesting maintenance is separate from calling emergency services. Give the address, symptoms you observed and actions already taken by authorised people. Explain whether emergency responders or the electricity network operator are already attending.
Establish what is affected
The person attending needs to establish which installation and areas are affected and where the danger lies. Several supplies or shared systems can complicate this. A switch position or label is not enough to assume work is safe.
Electrical judgement and safe working arrangements need competent people. HSE's maintenance advice explains why equipment and energy sources must be controlled before maintenance.
Explain the condition left
Ask the handover to state what was affected, what was done and what restrictions remain. If power has been isolated, it should identify services unavailable and who was told. Occupants need to know what must stay unused and how to report any change.
The attendance does not prove every part of the electrics is satisfactory. A clear record of scope and findings tells the next person what has been checked and what has not.
Plan investigation and permanent repair
Once the immediate condition is controlled, agree the next job. It may involve diagnosis, checking damage, obtaining components or completing a permanent repair. Keep this instruction linked to the make-safe record.
Arrange access, permission and checks before equipment is used again. If other repairs are involved, agree their order. With water damage, the source may need dealing with before electrical reinstatement can be completed.
Close the work with a clear handover
Keep details of the final repair, checks and operating condition. Update any earlier restrictions and tell the people using the building. File the incident and repair history together.
If the same incident happens again, review previous findings and how the system was being used. Repeated visits to make safe need a defined investigation or repair plan for the continuing cause.
FAQs
Will making safe restore the electricity supply?
Not always. Safe isolation may leave a room or item without electricity while repairs are planned. The handover should explain exactly what remains unavailable.
Is make-safe work the same as an EICR?
No. Making safe controls an immediate hazard. An EICR records a separately scoped installation inspection and testing assessment.
What records should remain after attendance?
Save findings, work carried out, affected areas, restrictions and the next steps. Add evidence of the permanent repair when it is complete.
Related help
Find emergency maintenance, electrical repairs and EICR services. Read what follows an emergency call-out.
