Portable generator safety checklist

Site: ______________________ Date: ____________ Checked by: ______________________

01Placement

Generator outdoors. Never in a room, container, basement or other enclosed space. OSHA generator fact sheet
About 1 m of clear space on all sides and above the unit. OSHA generator fact sheet
Exhaust points away from doors, windows, vents and rest areas. OSHA generator fact sheet
Set on firm, level ground, with a canopy if rain is likely. OSHA generator fact sheet
Placed as far as practicable from work and rest areas to cut noise. ILO construction code, 13.14

02Electrical

Generator earthed as the maker specifies. Earth connections tight. OSHA generator fact sheet
Output passes through an RCCB before it feeds any tool. Construction Regs, reg 37
Cords heavy-duty, rated for the load and free of damage. OSHA generator fact sheet
Total connected load within the generator's rating. ILO construction code, 13.14.2
Not connected to a building's wiring unless a qualified electrician has fitted a transfer switch. OSHA generator fact sheet

03Fuel and fire

Engine stopped and cooled before refuelling. OSHA generator fact sheet
Fuel in approved, labelled, vented containers, away from the generator and hot work. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 37(1)
No Smoking sign at the generator and fuel store.
Extinguisher suited to fuel and electrical fires within reach. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 37(2)
Spilled fuel cleaned up before restarting.

04Before starting

Fuel, oil and coolant levels checked. No leaks under the unit.
Guards over belts, fans and other moving parts in place. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 12
Emergency stop or main switch easy to reach and working. ILO construction code, 13.14.4
Generator isolated and locked out before any maintenance. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 16

05People

Workers know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness. OSHA generator fact sheet
Hearing protection worn near the generator if it cannot be moved further away. OSHA generator fact sheet

Legal requirement

Singapore's WSH (General Provisions) Regulations require dangerous parts of electric generators to be securely fenced, electrical equipment to be safe and free from defects, and lock-out procedures for maintenance. On worksites, the WSH (Construction) Regulations 2007 require effective RCCBs on all temporary electrical installations.

Sources and further reading

Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations, Singapore Statutes Online.
Workplace Safety and Health (Construction) Regulations 2007, Singapore Statutes Online.
Using Portable Generators Safely (fact sheet), US Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Code of practice on safety and health in construction (revised 2022), International Labour Organization.

This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Laws and codes of practice change; always check the current official text and your site's own procedures.

Portable generator safety checklist

01Placement

02Electrical

03Fuel and fire

04Before starting

05People

Sources and further reading

Related reading

Electrical safety and lock-out/tag-out: what supervisors need to know

Power tools pre-use checklist

Electrical safety and LOTO checklist