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Legislation in Electrical Installation - Vocabulary Flashcards

What is Legislation?

  • Legislation: laws made by the government to protect people, property, and the environment.

  • In the workplace, legislation ensures safety and fair treatment.

  • In electrical installation, it means:

    • Following legal rules about safety and the environment

    • Knowing responsibilities as employee or employer

    • Ensuring work is done safely, responsibly, and legally

Why Legislation Matters

  • Protects workers and the public

  • Ensures safe working environments

  • Reduces accidents and environmental harm

  • Legal requirement for all electrical professionals

Key Roles in Legislation

  • Employers: provide safe systems of work, training, PPE

  • Employees: follow safety procedures, report hazards

  • Organisations: set industry standards and guidance

  • Clients: ensure contractors follow legal requirements

Health & Safety Legislation Overview

  • Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

  • Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

  • Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

  • COSHH Regulations 2002

  • Working at Height Regulations 2005

  • PPE at Work Regulations 1992

  • Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

  • Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

  • Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Health & Safety Responsibilities

  • Employers: carry out risk assessments; provide safe equipment and training

  • Employees: use PPE correctly; report unsafe conditions

  • Clients: ensure contractors comply

  • Organisations: provide guidance and enforce standards

Environmental Legislation Overview

  • Environmental Act 2021

  • Environmental Protection Act 1990

  • Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

  • Clean Air Act 1993

  • Water Resources Act 1991

  • Hazardous Waste Regulations (environmental controls for hazardous waste)

  • Pollution Prevention and Control Act (emissions and installations)

  • Control of Pollution Act (regulates waste disposal, water/noise/air pollution)

  • WEEE Regulations (electrical and electronic waste recovery, recycling, and producer responsibility)

Environmental Responsibilities

  • Employers: reduce waste and pollution; comply with permits and reporting

  • Employees: follow environmental procedures; minimise resource use

  • Clients: choose sustainable contractors

  • Organisations: monitor and enforce compliance

Understanding Legislation in Electrical Installation

  • As future electricians, you must:

    • Understand what each piece of legislation is for

    • Know what it covers (safety, equipment, substances)

    • Recognise whether it is statutory (legal) or non-statutory (guidance/best practice)

  • This knowledge helps you work safely, legally, and professionally in any electrical environment

Types of Legislation

  • Statutory: legal requirements; UK Parliament; enforced by HSE; general duties to employers and others

  • Non-statutory: guidance, best practice; not a direct legal duty but helps compliance

  • The Health and Safety at Work Act is statutory and acts as an enabling act for details

  • The Electricity at Work Regulations are statutory and focus on electrical safety

Statutory Examples (Key Acts and Regulations)

  • The Health and Safety at Work Act: general duties to employers, employees, self-employed

  • The Electricity at Work Regulations: proper construction, insulation, isolation; live-work principles

  • Building electrical installations guidance (duty holder; safety responsibilities on-site)

Non-statutory Guidance and Codes of Practice

  • BS 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations (non-statutory)

    • Covers design, installation, and maintenance for systems up to 100\,\text{V} AC and 1500\,\text{V} DC

    • Applies to anyone installing electrical systems in buildings/structures

  • IET Guidance (GN notes): e.g. GN1, GN3, GN8 (earthing, inspection, etc.)

  • HSE Guidance Publications: INDG, HSG, L documents for compliance guidance

  • Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP) and Codes of Practice (COP): non-statutory guidance; following them supports compliance

  • IET COP for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment (example COP)

WEEE and Environmental Compliance

  • WEEE Regulations: Environment Agency; sets recovery, reuse, recycling requirements for electrical/electronic waste

  • Producers must provide infrastructure for take-back; disposal at suitable recycling centers