ELE/Cable Work/TBT-ELE-023
Electrical Competency and Authorisation
Electrical Safety › Cable Work › Electrical Competency and Authorisation
Toolbox Talk
Electrical Competency and Authorisation
Electrical work on construction sites must only be carried out by competent, authorised persons. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 make it a criminal offence for unqualified persons to carry out electrical work that could result in danger. This talk explains what electrical competency means, who can be authorised, and why these controls exist to protect everyone on site.
Key Hazards
Electrocution from unqualified persons working on live circuits
Fire from incorrectly wired installations by untrained workers
Shock injuries from temporary electrical systems installed incorrectly
Prosecution for allowing incompetent persons to carry out electrical work
Control Measures
- Ensure only persons holding recognised electrical qualifications carry out electrical work on site.
- Maintain an authorisation register listing every person permitted to work on electrical systems.
- Verify qualifications and competency cards before allowing any electrical work to proceed.
- Define levels of authorisation appropriate to the complexity and voltage of the work.
- Issue a written authorisation document to each electrician specifying their permitted scope of work.
- Ensure apprentices and trainees work only under the direct supervision of a qualified person.
- Review authorisations when an electrician transfers to a different site or type of installation.
- Withdraw authorisation immediately if competency concerns arise and arrange reassessment.
- Display the authorisation register in the site office where it can be checked by any supervisor.
Remember
- Only qualified and authorised persons may carry out electrical work on site
- Check qualifications and competency cards before allowing anyone to start electrical work
- Apprentices and trainees must work under direct supervision of a qualified electrician
- Authorisations must be reviewed when moving to a different site or installation type
- Withdraw authorisation immediately if any competency concern arises on site
Applicable Legislation: Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 · Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 · BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) · CDM 2015
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