Legislation in Electrical Installation - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key health, safety, and environmental legislation relevant to electrical installation.

Health and Safety Legislation

The collection of laws and regulations designed to protect people, property, and the environment in the workplace; in electrical work, it means following safety and environmental rules and understanding responsibilities.

Environmental Legislation

Laws governing waste, emissions, pollution control, and sustainable practices to protect the environment.

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

UK statute establishing the general duties of employers and employees to ensure health and safety at work; enables further regulations to be made by the HSE.

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Statutory regulations focused on electrical safety in the workplace, including proper construction, insulation, isolation, and live-working practices.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Statutory requirement to carry out risk assessments and to arrange safety measures, information, training, and competent personnel.

Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Statutory regulations covering basic welfare—ventilation, lighting, seating, and facilities, including temporary work sites.

COSHH Regulations 2002

Statutory regulations for assessing and controlling risks from hazardous substances; duties on employers, self-employed, and employees.

Working at Height Regulations 2005

Statutory regulations preventing falls; governs planning, supervision, maintenance, and use of access equipment like ladders and scaffolding.

PPE at Work Regulations 1992

Statutory regulations requiring PPE where risks cannot be controlled by other means; PPE must be assessed, maintained, provided with instructions, and used correctly.

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

Statutory regulations covering the lifting, carrying, and moving of loads; employers must provide suitable equipment.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Statutory regulations placing responsibilities on businesses to ensure safe and suitable work equipment and appropriate training.

Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012

Statutory regulations setting minimum standards to protect workers from asbestos exposure, including handling, duties, medical checks, and records.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

Statutory act outlining minimum waste management and emissions control requirements.

Environmental Act 2021

Statutory environmental framework updating and strengthening environmental protections and duties.

Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

Statutory regulations protecting habitats and species, influencing biodiversity considerations in projects.

Clean Air Act 1993

Statutory act controlling and reducing air pollution.

Water Resources Act 1991

Statutory act governing water resources and pollution control measures.

Hazardous Waste Regulations

Statutory regulations imposing a duty of care on businesses to ensure hazardous waste is produced, handled, and transported safely.

Waste Management and Hazardous Waste Regulations

Statutory regulations expanding responsibilities for waste management and hazardous waste handling and disposal.

Pollution Prevention and Control Act

Statutory act covering installations that emit pollution and licensing requirements to reduce environmental impact.

Control of Pollution Act

Statutory act granting the Environment Agency powers to regulate waste disposal, water, noise, and atmospheric pollution.

Control of Noise at Work Regulations

Statutory regulations to protect workers' hearing from excessive workplace noise and prevent tinnitus.

WEEE Regulations

Statutory regulations governing recovery, reuse, recycling, and treatment of electrical and electronic waste; requires infrastructure for collection.

BS 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations

Non-statutory standard by IET/BSI detailing technical requirements for electrical installations; applies up to 100 V AC and 1500 V DC.

IET Guidance

Non-statutory guidance notes detailing parts of BS 7671 (e.g., GN8 earthing, GN1 selection/erection, GN3 inspection/testing) for installing electrical systems.

HSE Guidance Publications

Non-statutory guidance documents (HSG, INDG, L documents) issued by HSE to help comply with statutory duties.

Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP) and Codes of Practice (COP)

Non-statutory guidance; following COP/ACOP helps achieve compliance with statutory duties; COPs are industry-specific, ACOPs are HSE-issued.

Duty Holder

Person or organization designated to ensure electrical safety is maintained on a building or site.

Statutory vs Non-statutory

Statutory means legally required; Non-statutory means guidance or best practice; following non-statutory guidance can still support compliance.

Roles in Legislation

Different responsibilities in safety law: Employers, Employees, Organisations, and Clients.

Enabling Act

A type of act (e.g., Health and Safety at Work Act) that gives powers to the government/agency (like HSE) to create detailed regulations.