This Code of Practice has been prepared by the Institution of Electrical Engineers with a view to determining the inspections and tests necessary to ensure that electrical equipment is maintained properly so as to prevent danger. Although reference is made to legislation, this chapter should not be considered as legal advice. In cases of doubt, the specific legislation mentioned should be consulted and legal advice obtained.

In recent years the responsibilities for safety of persons at work have been prescribed in much legislation, some of which is listed in Appendix II.

The legislation of specific relevance to electrical maintenance is the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 puts a duty of care upon both employer (sections 2, 3 and 4 etc) and employee (section 7) to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes the self-employed.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state:

“Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of:

(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work, and
(b) the risks to the health and safely of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking”. (Regulation 3(1))

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 state:

“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided”. (Regulation 4(1))

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) cover 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 PUWER regulations 5-9, 19 and 22.

PUWER only applies to work equipment used by workers at work. This includes all work equipment (fixed, portable or transportable) connected to a source of electrical energy. PUWER does not apply to the fixed installations in a building. The electrical safety of these installations is dealt with only by the Electricity at Work Regulations.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 state:

“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger”. (Regulation 4(2))

“System’ means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment”. (Regulation 2(1))

“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”. (Regulation 2(1))

Home / Advice / Terms & Conditions / About Us / Contact Us

Oak Appliance Testing, Suite 58, 27 Colmore Row, Birmingham, West Midlands, B3 2EW
T: +44(0)845 434 5025. F: +44(0)870 067 7025. E: info@oakappliancetesting.co.uk