Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.14.11
Work on equipment made dead – 
Regulation 13
Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent elec trical 
equipment that has been made dead from becoming live 
while work is carried out on or near the equipment. This 
will include means of locking off isolators, tagging equip-
ment, permits to work and removing fuses.
17.14.12
Work on or near live conductors – 
Regulation 14
No person shall work near a live conductor, except if it is 
insulated, unless:
➤
it is unreasonable in all the circumstances for it to 
be dead
➤
it is reasonable in 
all
the circumstances for them to 
be at work on or near it while it is live
➤
suitable precautions (including where necessary the 
provision of suitable protective equipment) are taken 
to prevent injury.
17.14.13
Working space access and lighting – 
Regulation 15
Adequate working space means of access and lighting 
shall be provided for all electrical equipment at which or 
near which work is being done in circumstances which 
may give rise to danger. This covers work of any kind. 
However, when the work is on live conductors the access 
space must be suffi cient for a person to fall back out of 
danger and if needed for persons to pass one another 
with ease and without hazard.
17.14.14 Competence – Regulation 16
Where technical knowledge or experience is necessary 
to prevent danger, all persons must possess such know -
ledge or experience or be under appropriate supervision.
17.14.15 References
Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work 
Regulations, Guidance on Regulations, HSR25, 1989 
HSE Books
ISBN 0-7176-1602-9
Electricity at Work: safe working practices,HSG85 2003 
HSE Books
ISBN 0-7176-2164-2
Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equip-
ment, HSG107 1994 HSE Books
ISBN 0-7176-0715-1
Electrical safety and you, INDG231, 1996 HSE Book
ISBN 0-7176-1207-4
Maintaining portable electrical equipment in offi ces and 
other low-risk environments, INDG236, 1996 HSE Books
ISBN 0-7176-1272-4
Maintaining portable electrical equipment in hotels and 
tourist accommodation, INDG237, 1997 HSE Books
ISBN 0-7176-1273-2
Safety in electrical testing at work, General Guidance 
INDG354 2003 HSE Books
ISBN 0-7176-2296-7
Electrical switch gear and safety. A concise guide for 
users INDG372, HSE Books, 2003
ISBN 0 7176 2187 1