There are five pieces of legislation specific to electrical maintenance;
1-The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
2-The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
3-The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
4-The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
5-The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes the self-employed and volunteers.
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state;
“Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work, and the risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking.”
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 state:
“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”
The PUWER 1998 covers most risks that can result from using work equipment. With respect to risks from electricity, compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is likely to achieve compliance with the PUWER 1998.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 state:
“All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger and As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”
Scope of the legislation;
It is clear that the combination of the HSW Act 1974, the PUWER 1998 and the EAW Regulations 1989 apply to all electrical equipment used in, or associated with, places of work. The scope extends from distribution systems down to the smallest piece of electrical equipment.
It is clear that there is a requirement to inspect and test all types of electrical equipment in all work situations.
For more information on these pieces of legislation please follow these links;
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998