So far, we have looked at two of the three building blocks of safety.
We have covered:
👷🏻♂️ How you do what you do
👷🏻♂️ Where you do it
❓ So, who does it for you?
This is where competence becomes critical.
Regulation 16 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states that “no person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger…, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.”
So, what makes a ‘safe person’? A competent person is far more likely to be a safe person — but competence is more than just a certificate.
🧠 Knowledge – of electricity.
🌟 Experience – of electricity, including the type of system being worked on.
🎓 Education – formative training, preferably through an apprenticeship.
👷🏻♂️ Training – to the latest relevant standards.
⚠️ General ability – to recognise danger and know when it is safe to work.
🗝️ Key measures to help ensure competence include:
🛡️ Ensure staff are conversant with your Safe Working Procedures, Risk Assessments, Permits to Work, etc.
🛡️Ensure staff are experienced and trained for the job at hand, or have appropriate supervision.
🛡️For electrical installation work, alterations and amendments, ensure they’re qualified to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 18th Edition (C&G 2382-18). HSE inspectors look for this first.
🛡️ Ensure they are qualified to test the electrical work they have installed (C&G 2391-50, 2391-51 and 2396-01).
🛡️Ensure checks and balances are in place to verify competence of contractors.
🛡️ Monitor, audit and review all of the foregoing.
If you contract out your electrical services, including inspection and testing, the onus is on your contractor to demonstrate competence and on you to ask to see it.
If you directly employ the staff involved, the onus is on you to demonstrate their competence.
❗ Remember, only the employer can declare a member of staff competent. You cannot delegate that responsibility to anyone else, such as a training organisation or safety specialist.
For more information on how we can make your site safe and compliant, contact us today.
☎️ 01142 572080
📧 info@guardianelectrical.co.uk
#safeplaces #compliant #safety #safepeople
