Legislation and Guidance

While the use of electricity at work is regulated by several pieces of legislation, the specific piece of legislation where electricity is addressed most directly is in Part 3 (Regulation 74 to 93) of the 2007 Safety Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations. Comprehensive guidelines on these Regulations are available here: Guidelines to Part 3 of the 2007 General Applications Regulations.

In addition;

S.R. 61936:2019 Guidelines on the Application of I.S. EN 61936-1:2010 & A1:2014, Power Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c. - Part 1: Common Rules contains the minimum requirements for the design, erection, and verification of high voltage power installations with voltages in excess of 1000 Volts (1 kV) AC.

I.S.EN 50110-1:2013Operation of Electrical Installations - Part 1: General Requirements sets out the requirements for the safe operation of and work activity on, with, or near electrical installations operating at voltage levels from and including extra-low voltage up to and including high voltage.

Adherence to EN 61936-1 and EN 50110-1 could be used as an argument to demonstrate compliance with relevant parts of Part 3 of the 2007 Safety Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations and other relevant legislation.

The following image gives visual guidance on working with electrical installations.

Core of this legislation is the risk assessment approach, and the legal duty on employers to ensure the safe interaction of his or her employees with all items associated with electricity.

Other links in this section:

• Video - Dangers from Power Lines on Farms
• Role of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities
• HSA & Other Organisations