Electrical Risk at Work: Assessment, PES-PAV-PEI Roles and Training

A silent, often underestimated risk

Electricity is everywhere in workplaces, and precisely for that reason its risk is often taken for granted. Direct and indirect contact, arc flash, burns and fire ignition can have serious or fatal consequences. Managing electrical risk requires technical competence, clear procedures and qualified training.

The regulatory framework

In Italy the provisions on electrical risk are set out in Title III, Chapter III of Legislative Decree 81/08, which defines duties and safety requirements. The technical reference for electrical work is the CEI 11-27 standard, which classifies personnel into three roles: PES (expert person), PAV (instructed person) and PEI (fitness for live low-voltage work). The course for these qualifications lasts around 16 hours.

The sixth edition of CEI 11-27 was published in 2025, adopts the European standard CEI EN 50110-1:2024 and came into force on 1 November 2025, with a transitional period allowing use of the previous version until 29 May 2026.

Electrical risk assessment

The assessment must be carried out in line with Decree 81/08 and integrated into the Risk Assessment Document (DVR), or developed in a specific document. It must consider the state of installations, their maintenance, the environment (humidity, explosion-risk areas) and the activities performed. Periodic inspection of installations is an integral part of risk management.

Prevention and protection measures

Technical measures

Properly built installations, residual-current devices, earthing, contact protection, planned maintenance. Electrical safety starts with the installation.

Work procedures

The key principle is to work de-energised whenever possible: isolation, lockout and verification of the absence of voltage. Live work is allowed only to PEI personnel, under strict procedures.

Specific PPE

Insulating gloves, footwear, helmets and visors are often Category III PPE, requiring specific hands-on instruction as for personal protective equipment.

Training: the heart of electrical safety

PES, PAV and PEI qualifications are not formal titles: they certify competences that must be maintained. CEI 11-27 (2025 edition) requires refresher training of at least 4 hours every 5 years for personnel assigned to electrical work. Training that combines theory and practice, and feeds safety culture, is the best defence against a risk that does not forgive inattention.

In short

Electrical risk is managed on three fronts: compliant installations, correct procedures (first of all de-energised work) and qualified personnel kept up to date under CEI 11-27. None of the three alone is enough.