Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

emer-
gency stop controls
(Regulation 16) must be provided 
unless it is not necessary:
➤
by the nature of the hazard
➤
by the time taken for the stop controls to bring the 
equipment to a complete stop.
Emergency stop controls must have priority over stop 
controls. They should be provided where other safe-
guards are not adequate to prevent risk when something 
irregular happens. They should not be used as a substi-
tute for safeguards or the normal method of stopping the 
equipment.
All 
controls
for work equipment shall (Regulation 17):
➤
be clearly visible and identifi able including appropri-
ate marking where necessary
➤
not expose any person to a risk to their health and 
safety except where necessary.
Where appropriate employers shall ensure that:
➤
controls are located in a safe place
➤
systems of work are effective in preventing any 
person being in a danger zone when equipment is 
started
➤
an audible, visible or other suitable warning is given 
whenever work equipment is about to start.
Persons in a danger zone as a result of starting or stop-
ping equipment must have suffi cient time and suitable 
means to avoid any risks.
Control systems
(Regulation 18) must be safe and 
chosen so as to allow for failures, faults and constraints. 
They must:
➤
not create any increased risk to health and safety
➤
not result in additional or increased risks when fail-
ure occurs
➤
not impede the operation of any stop or emergency 
stop controls.

---

Summary of the main legal requirements
379
17.26.14
Isolation from sources of energy – 
Regulation 19
Work equipment must be provided with readily access-
ible and clearly identifi ed means to isolate it from all 
sources of energy.
Re-connection must not expose any person using 
the equipment to any risks.
The main purpose is to allow equipment to be made 
safe under particular circumstances, such as mainten-
ance, when unsafe conditions occur, or when adverse 
conditions such as electrical equipment in a fl ammable 
atmosphere or wet conditions occur.
If isolation may cause a risk in itself, special precau-
tions must be taken; for example, a support for a hydrau-
lic press tool which could fall under gravity if the system 
is isolated.