The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Overview

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 came into force on 1st April 1990. Their purpose is to make sure precautions are taken against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity in work activities. 

The Regulations set out requirements for: 

• Systems, work activities and protective equipment
• Strength and capability of electrical equipment
• Adverse or hazardous environments
• Insulation, protection and placing of conductors
• Earthing or other suitable precautions
• Integrity of referenced conductors
• Connections
• Means for protecting from excess of current
• Means for cutting off the supply and for isolation
• Precautions for work on equipment made dead
• Work on or near live conductors
• Working space, access and lighting
• Persons to be competent to prevent danger and injury

If you are affected by the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, you should refer to the In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (IET) Code of Practice. This is currently in its 5th Edition. 

The Code of Practice provides guidance on in-service inspection and testing to determine whether electrical equipment is safe for continued use. Duty-holders are required by law to consider the risks associated with the use of electrical equipment. The Code underpins the need to conduct inspection and testing of electrical equipment by considering the risks the equipment is exposed to and the environment it is used in, in addition to the skill level of the user. It applies to all workplaces and also some types of rented accommodation.