Electricity at Work Regulations - interactive CDROM

Introduction

This course is primarily directed at employers and managers, although there is much useful material here for users of electrical equipment.

The course explains the requirements and the implications of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 for those responsible for electrical safety at work, and outlines the duties and responsibilities of everyone affected by the legislation.

The Manager's Checklist provides an opportunity for managers to assess their company or department under twelve electrical safety headings.

Objectives of the course

• Know where, when and to whom the Regulations apply.
• Know what is meant by the terms 'danger' and 'injury'.
• Know the meaning of the main technical terms used in the Regulations.
• Know how electricity causes injury.
• Appreciate the need for safe systems of work.
• Know the responsibilities of employers and employees under the Regulations.
• Know what is meant by working live & dead, and when live working could be justified.

Course Modules

Legal Aspects - (15 mins)

• The Regulations aim to prevent death or injury to any person from electrical causes in connection with work activities.
• Employees are required to co-operate with employers on safety matters and take reasonable care for their health and safety and others they may affect whilst working.
• When employees are in control of matters they become a Duty Holder under the Regulations.
• Absolute Regulations must be met regardless of cost or any other consideration.
• Persons must be competent to prevent danger and injury.
• Supervision does not necessarily require continual attendance at the work site.

Dangers of Electricity - (10 mins)

• 'Danger' is defined as 'risk of injury'.
• 'Injury' means death or injury to persons from: electric shock; electric burn; fires of electrical origin; electric arcing or explosions initiated or caused by electricity.
• The purpose of the distinction between 'danger' and 'injury' is to accommodate those circumstances when persons must work on or so near live equipment that there is a risk of 'injury', ie where 'danger' is present and cannot be avoided, but injury must be prevented.

Some Terms Explained - (10 mins)

• Electrical equipment as defined in the Regulations includes every type from a 400kV overhead cable to a battery powered hand lamp.
• A 'system' is defined as all the electrical equipment connected together and the various energy sources in the system.
• A 'conductor' is anything that will carry an electric current.
• An 'insulator' is a material which will not carry an electric current.
• 'Dead' in the context of the Regulations means that if a conductor is dead it is neither live or charged.
• 'Live' means the item in question is at a voltage by being connected to a source of electricity.
• 'Charged' means that the item has become charged by static or induction or has regained a charge even though disconnected.
• 'Cutting off the supply' means disconnection.
• 'Isolation' means secure disconnection and separation.

Safe Systems of Work - (10 mins)

• When working dead the precautions should be effective in preventing the electrical equipment from becoming charged in any way which would give rise to danger.
• Where work is to be done on or near conductors that have been isolated the conductors should be proved dead at the point of work before the work starts.
• No person shall be engaged in any work activity on or so near any live conductor unless:
  • it is unreasonable in all circumstances for it to be dead and;
  • it is reasonable in all circumstances for him to be at work on or near it while it is live and;
  • suitable precautions are taken to prevent injury.

Safe Electrical Systems - (15 mins)

• Regulation 4 states that all electrical systems should be constructed and maintained in such a way as to prevent danger.
• Regulation 5 requires that electrical equipment must have the ability to withstand the effects of the current which might be expected to flow through the equipment when it is part of the system.
• Regulation 6 requires that all electrical equipment should be suitable for the conditions in which it is likely to be used.
• Regulation 7 requires that all conductors which may give rise to danger should be suitably covered with insulating material so as to prevent danger, if this is reasonably practicable. In some cases other precautions are acceptable, for example placing them overhead at such a height that contact with the conductors is reasonably unforeseeable.
• Regulation 8 requires that precautions be taken to prevent danger arising from conductors (other than circuit conductors) becoming charged.
• The object of Regulation 9 is to prevent referenced circuit conductors giving rise to possible danger.
• Regulation 10 requires that all connections in circuit and protective conductors should be suitable for the purpose for which they are used.
• Regulation 11 requires that systems and parts of systems be protected against the effects of short circuits and overloads.
• When people are working on or near electrical equipment Regulation 15 requires that there is adequate space, access and lighting to allow them to work safely.

Manager's Checklist - (15 mins)

• Your company should have a health and safety policy.
• Be certain about the extent of your responsibilities.
• Have adequate information to make meaningful decisions.
• Regularly check the condition of your electrical equipment.
• Have a scheduled maintenance system.
• Ensure safe working practices.
• Undertake competence checks regularly.
• Ensure that staff are adequately trained.
• Keep accurate records.
• Ensure protective equipment is suitable and used correctly.
• Pay particular attention to portable power tools and cables.
• Ensure that workplaces are maintained in a safe condition.

Quick Checklist - (5 mins)

• Cooperate with your employer on health and safety matters.
• Work within your knowledge and capabilities.
• Use any PPE supplied properly.
• Report any defects immediately.

Self Test - (20 mins)

Course Duration

The average course completion time is one hour 40 minutes.

 

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