The Law

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The Electricity at Work Regulations Act (1989) applies to all aspects of the use of electricity within the workplace. Duties are placed on employers, employees and the self-employed to prevent danger.

Duty holders must:

Have the electrical systems constructed in a way that prevents danger
Maintain the electrical systems as necessary to prevent danger (including a 5 year fixed installation inspection)
Carry out work on electrical systems carried out in a way that prevents danger.

How we help

We handle the burden, and once work has been completed, we keep and update the records of your reports
Swift quotations can be expected, once testing has been completed and/or observations have been handed to us
We provide an exclusive account manager that will be at your beckon call throughout the whole remedial process
Get updated and informed on any upcoming service requirements
Records are stored for safe keeping and can be presented to clients immediately when required, providing clients with total peace of mind.

Duty holders are responsible for setting up adequate maintenance programmes and must assess the needs and frequency requirement of testing, maintaining and monitoring electrical systems and equipment. Generally, the following test intervals may be applied for guidance purposes: –

Electrical installations
(As outlined in 16th Edition I.E.E. regulations)

Type of Installation Maximum period between inspections

Domestic 10 Years
Commercial 5 Years
Industrial 3 Years
Churches (over 5 years old) 1 Year
Places of public entertainment 1 Year
Petroleum stations 1 Year
Emergency lighting & Fire alarms 1 Year

Portable Appliances

Environment Frequency

Industrial / Workshops 6 Months
Commercial (normal & class I) 12 Months
Commercial (low risk & class II) 24 Months or more

Failure to comply with the The Electricity at Work Regulations Act (1989) could result in Judicial proceedings..

The key piece of legislation is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This is the primary legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK, under which most breaches occur.

Additional legislation imposes legal requirements that set out how to comply in greater detail. This includes the Electricity at Work Regulations, which provides detail on the precautions to take against the risk of death or injury from electricity at a place of work.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to carry out risk assessments and arrange for the appropriate information and training. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 imposes duties to report certain workplace accidents.

The Health and Safety (Offences) Act came into effect in January 2009 and it details changes to the trial and maximum penalty allowed for those convicted for offences under Health and Safety legislation. This act has increased penalties and provided courts with greater sentencing powers for those who break health and safety laws. Since the legislation was introduced the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 came into force in 2015.

Under the EaWR 1989 - Systems, work activities and protective equipment

4. (1) All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger.

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

Having your remedial works carefully planned out and executed is a legal requirement which if not performed correctly could result in severe punishment.

Duty holders have a legal responsibly to ensure that electrical systems used under their control are safe, remaining compliant with The EaWR 1989.

Insurance companies will not support a claim where compliance standards have not been met. If a serious incident occured under your watch and you are found to be non-compliant, severe penalties such as large fines and jail time can will come.