The Regulations require precautions to be taken against the risk of
death or personal injury from electricity in work activities.
The Regulations apply to employers, employees (including trainees) and the self-employed.
They may all become duty holders, ie they have a responsibility to
comply with the Regulations where matters are within their control.
Some of the requirements of the Regulations must be met regardless
of cost or any other consideration. They are ABSOLUTE.
Others must be met 'so far as is reasonably practicable' - SFRP.
If the risk is death and the precautions cheap and simple, an SFRP
requirement becomes virtually absolute.
Dangers of Electricity
The Regulations use the two defined terms, 'danger' and 'injury'.
'Danger' means 'risk of injury'.
'Injury' means death or personal injury from electric shock, electric burn, fires of
electrical origin, electric arcing or explosions initiated or caused by electricity.
The Regulations require duty holders to prevent danger or injury.
The distinction is made because when work is done on live conductors it is impossible to
prevent danger, or 'risk of injury', but the duty holder must ensure that precautions are taken
to ensure that no injury is suffered.
Some Terms Explained
The Electricity at Work Regulations apply to all electrical systems
and equipment including cables, wires and leads.
Equipment includes every type, from a battery powered lamp to a 400 kV overhead line.
System includes all electrical equipment connected together and all the energy sources.
A conductor is anything that will carry an electric current.
A circuit conductor is a conductor which carries current by intent.
If a conductor is dead it is neither live or charged.
Live means an item is at a voltage by being connected to a source of electricity.
Charged means that an item has become charged by static or induction or retained a
charge even though disconnected.
Cutting off supply means disconnection.
Isolation means the secure disconnection and separation of electrical equipment from
every source of electrical energy.
Safe Systems of Work
Any work on or near an electrical system must be carried out so as not to give rise to danger.
Protective equipment must be suitable for use, be properly used and properly maintained.
Work shall, whenever possible, be carried out with the system dead.
Live working must be justified, and suitable precautions must be taken to prevent injury.
Suitable means must be available for cutting off the electricity supply to any item of
equipment.
Suitable means must be available for ensuring that a supply which is switched off will
remain switched off and inadvertent reconnection prevented (isolation).
Safe Electrical Systems
Systems should be constructed & maintained so as to prevent danger.
Equipment and insulation must be capable of withstanding the applied voltage and any
transient overloads.
Adverse equipment conditions must be anticipated.
Conductors must be covered with insulating material, or have other precautions taken to
prevent danger.
Nothing should interfere with earth currents in a referenced conductor.
All permanent & temporary connections must be suitable.
There should be an efficient and suitably located means of protecting a system from
excess current.
Adequate working space, access & lighting must be provided.
Managers Checklist
Employers, managers and supervisors are advised to give thought to
the following, and where physical checks are necessary, to ensure
that you or a competent employee does an electrical safety audit.