Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Awareness

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EWR) impose duties to prevent danger from electrical systems at work.
The regulations apply to all work activities involving electrical equipment, not just electrical installation work.
Regulation 3 places duties on employers, employees, and the self-employed to comply with the regulations.
Regulation 12 requires that work on live electrical equipment is only permitted when it is unreasonable to work dead.
Regulation 14 requires persons working on electrical systems to be competent for the task they are carrying out.
Regulation 4 requires all electrical systems to be constructed and maintained to prevent danger so far as reasonably practicable.
The regulations cover all voltages — there is no lower limit below which the regulations do not apply.
Breach of the regulations can result in criminal prosecution, fines, and imprisonment for responsible persons.
The HSE can prosecute individuals personally, not just companies, for breaches of the EWR.
These regulations form the legal backbone of electrical safety on every UK construction site.

Prevent electrocution	Electrical incidents kill and seriously injure construction workers every year — these regulations exist to prevent this.
Personal criminal liability	Individuals including managers and supervisors can be personally prosecuted for breaching the EWR.
Universal application	The EWR apply to everyone who works with or near electrical systems, not just qualified electricians.

Do

Don't

Ensure all electrical work is carried out by competent persons as required by Regulation 14
Work dead wherever possible — live working is only permitted as a last resort under Regulation 12
Maintain all electrical systems and equipment to prevent danger as required by Regulation 4
Use appropriate isolation procedures and prove dead before working on any electrical system
Report any damage, defects, or unsafe conditions in electrical equipment to your supervisor
Ensure portable appliances are tested (PAT) and visually inspected before use on site
Use RCD protection and 110V reduced voltage systems for portable tools on construction sites
Keep accurate records of all electrical inspections, testing, and maintenance carried out
Provide information and training to workers about the electrical hazards they may encounter
Cooperate with your employer's electrical safety procedures — it is your legal duty too

DON'T work on electrical systems unless you are competent for the specific task involved
DON'T carry out live working unless all conditions of Regulation 12 are formally satisfied
DON'T use electrical equipment with visible damage, frayed cables, or missing guards
DON'T bypass RCDs, fuses, or other protective devices on any electrical installation
DON'T assume low voltage means low risk — the EWR apply to all voltages without exception
DON'T ignore your personal duty — the EWR apply to employees and the self-employed equally
DON'T treat portable appliance testing as optional — it is part of the maintenance duty
DON'T modify electrical installations without the approval of a competent person
DON'T allow unqualified persons to reset tripped circuit breakers without investigation
DON'T leave temporary electrical installations in place beyond their intended duration

See also: Electrical Safety Awareness | Isolation and Safe Systems of Work

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