The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is an act of parliament which places a duty on all employers to; ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety and welfare at work of all their employees.
Within the act there is a provision for regulations which cover the legal requirement pertaining to specific subject areas and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 covers electrical systems within occupied premises. The regulations make reference to various standard codes of practice (ACOP), British Standards and guidance notes which have been published by bodies other than the Health and Safety Executive. These provide best practice guidance for complying with the regulations. For Fixed Wiring Inspection & Testing these include;
British Standard BS7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations
IET Inspection & Testing Guidance Note 3
HSE Electricity at Work – Safe working Practices
HSE memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 section 3a states that an employer or self-employed person is to comply with the provisions of these regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his/her control. It’s also worth noting that regulation 3 (2a) states that it is a duty of every employee, whilst at work, to cooperate with his/her employer so far as is necessary to enable any duty placed on an employer by the provisions of these regulations to be complied with.
The Electricity at work regulations 1989 impose duties on “employers” and “duty holders” in respect to electrical systems, electrical equipment and conductors.
The purpose of the regulations is to prevent death or personal injury to any person from electrical causes in connection with work activities.
Employers and self-employed people must comply with the provisions of the Electricity at work regulations 1989. Regulation 4 (2) states that as necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.
A duty holder can demonstrate compliance with the regulations, in respect to their electrical installation, by employing a competent company to carry out an electrical fixed wire inspection and test of their premises.
