There’s a common misconception that electrical safety is just good business practice, but the reality is that it’s so much more.
In fact, it’s a legal requirement for anyone employing staff, welcoming outsiders into their premises or renting their property.
Failure to comply with all the relevant regulations can not only render your premises unsafe, placing everyone at risk, but also lead to you being liable for hefty fines. In addition, a lack of compliance can invalidate your insurance and even open you up to criminal prosecution.
So electrical safety is something to be taken very seriously, whether you’re a business owner or landlord. But what are your main legal duties?
Core regulations
- The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 stipulate that all electrical systems in workplaces must be constructed, maintained and operated in a safe manner
- The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to protect employees from electrical danger
- The BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) lay out low-voltage technical standards for the design, installation and testing of electrical circuits
Legal duties
As a responsible business owner or landlord, you must ensure that a competent person carries out any electrical work. Regular inspections and testing, such as Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), should also be undertaken, and you must hold accurate paperwork to prove compliance and for insurance purposes. Should testing indicate that any remedial work is required, this must be carried out in a timely fashion. In summary, you are mandated to manage the electrical safety of the personnel, contractors and members of the public using your premises.
Risks of non-compliance
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 carries strict penalties for failing to comply, including limitless fines for companies and individuals. It’s not unheard of for large organisations to face fines of up to £10 million where high culpability and the risk of serious harm are involved. Separately, directors or even managers can themselves face custodial sentences of between six and 18 months if they break the law and place lives at risk.
Ultimately, when it comes to electrical safety, compliance isn’t optional, as MS Electrical owner, Mark Smith, explains. ‘Complying with electrical safety regulations is essential. Not only does it protect lives and meet your legal obligations, it’s also crucial for everyone’s peace of mind,’ says Mark. ‘Moreover, it’s not something you can choose whether you do or not, it’s compulsory, and must therefore form part of every organisation’s Health & Safety provision.’
At MS Electrical, we offer fixed wire testing, PAT testing and EICRs in Cambridge to keep you compliant. Please contact us to request a no-obligation quotation.