Introduction to Fire Safety Management

15.18.11 Precautions of equipment made dead – 
regulation 13
Adequate precautions must be taken to prevent electrical 
equipment, which has been made dead to prevent dan-
ger while work is carried out, from becoming electrically 
charged during that work if this would result in danger.
This is the system of switch-off, isolate, lock-off and 
prove dead, all of which should be included in a formal 
safe system of work or a permit to work.
15.18.12 Work on or near live conductors – 
regulation 14
The EAWR are very clear on the issue of live work – it 
should be avoided wherever possible.
This regulation illustrates this principle clearly and 
requires that no person should work on or so near any 
live conductor where danger may arise unless:
➤
It is unreasonable in all circumstances for it to be 
dead and
➤
It is reasonable in all circumstances for the person 
to be at work on or near it while it is live and
➤
Suitable precautions are taken to prevent injury, 
including the provision of protective equipment.
15.18.13 Working space, access and lighting – 
regulation 15
Adequate working space, means of access and lighting 
should be provided at all electrical equipment on which 
or near which work is being done which may give rise to 
danger for the purpose of preventing injury.
Where this work involves work on or near live 
conductors, this would include having suffi cient space 
for persons to pass one another safely and to pull back 
from the conductors.
15.18.14 Persons to be competent to prevent 
danger – regulation 16
This regulation requires that no person is engaged in any 
work activity where technical knowledge or experience is 
necessary to prevent danger or injury unless the person 
has such knowledge or experience or is under appropri-
ate supervision for the activity.
The supporting guidance to this regulation lists 
the scope of this ‘technical knowledge or experience’, 
including the ability to recognise at all times whether it is 
safe for work to continue.