Electricity at work regulations 1989

Electricity is a major hazard - not only can it kill directly, through shocks (and the majority of electric shock fatalities occur at voltages up to 240V), it can also cause fires and explosions.

These regulations aim to impose duties to limit the risks involved in using electricity at work.

Definitions

Electrical equipment includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy.

This definition is extremely wide and includes everything from very high voltage overhead supply cables to battery-powered equipment.

System covers all and any electrical equipment which is, or may be, connected to an electrical energy source, and includes that source.

Danger means risk of injury.

Injury covers death or personal injury from electric shock, electric burn, electrical explosion or arcing, or from fire or explosion initiated by electrical energy, where any such death or injury is associated with the generation, provision, transmission, transformation, rectification, conversion, conduction, distribution, control, storage, measurement or use of electrical energy.

Regulation 3 places duties on:

Employers, employees and the self-employed - to comply with the regulations as far as matters are under their control

Employees -to co-operate with their employer

Many employees in the electrical trades and professions have responsibilities, as part of their duties, related to the safety of electrical installations and systems.

The regulations quantify these responsibilities, by putting them under a legal duty to work in accordance with the requirements of the regulations.