Relevant Statutes:
The extension offshore of the Electricity at Work means that the same regulations apply both on and offshore. Both the Electricity at Work and the Noise at Work regulations were applied offshore in February 1998. They do not apply to sea-going ships or aircraft.
Duty Holder
The main duty holder is the employer (which could be a self-employed person).
Employees also have duties.
Competence
Persons engaged in electrical work shall be either:
- competent, that is they should have the technical knowledge and/or experience to prevent danger
- under an appropriate degree of supervision
Systems, work activities and protective equipment
Systems have to be:
- constructed
- maintained
to prevent, so far as is reasonably practical, danger.
Work activities have to be carried out, so far as is reasonably practical, so that they
do not give rise to danger. There must be adequate working space, access and lighting to prevent injury. PPE must be suitable, maintained and properly used
Electrical equipment must be fit for purpose and constructed or protected so that danger does not arise from exposure to;
- flammable or explosive substances,
- temperature or pressure variations
- wet dirty etc conditions
- risk of mechanical damage
- isolation
There must be suitable means for:
- cutting of electricity supplies etc to electrical equipment
- isolating electrical equipment in a secure fashion
Precautions must be taken to prevent equipment made dead becoming inadvertently live.
Work should not take place near live conductors (where there is danger) unless:
- it is unreasonable to make the conductor dead and
- it is reasonable for the person to be at work while the conductor is live and
- suitable precautions are taken
Other requirements
There are many other requirements of a technical nature that are beyond the scope of this manual and these include:
- strength and capability of electrical equipment
- insulation and conductors, integrity of referenced conductors, connections
- earthing
- protection from excess current
Employees duties
Employees have to:
- co-operate with employers, so far as is necessary, so that the employers can comply with the regulations
- comply with the regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control
Recommended Further Reading
- 01188396-32 Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 HS(R) 25 £4. 00
- 0 71760442X Electricity at work -safe working practices £3.50
- 071 760845X Electrical lest equipment for use by electricians GS 38 £3.50
- 01188396J2 Selection and use of electric handlamps PM 38 £2.50
- The OIM's Manual: Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation
- The Offshore Electricity and Noise Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997 No. 1993) are available from The Stationery Office, ISBN 0 11 064828 5, price £1.10.
- http://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/notices/sn_09_05.htm