77Performing electrical work on energised electrical equipment

77 Performing electrical work on energised electrical equipment (1) If the electrical equipment is energised, the person must do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure the work is performed: (a) by a competent person who has tools, testing equipment and personal protective equipment that: (i) are suitable for the work; and (ii) are appropriately rated for the work; and (iii) were properly tested; and (iv) are maintained in good working order; and (b) in accordance with a safe work method statement prepared in advance; and (c) subject to subregulation (4), with a safety observer present. (2) For subregulation (1)(a), the person must do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure the worker who carries out the electrical work uses the tools, testing equipment and personal protective equipment properly. (3) For subregulation (1)(c) the safety observer must: (a) be competent to implement control measures in an emergency; and (b) be competent to rescue and resuscitate the worker who is performing the work, if necessary; and (c) have been assessed in the previous 12 months as competent to rescue and resuscitate a person. (4) A safety observer is not required under subregulation (1)(c) if: (a) the electrical work consists only of testing; and

Electrical Safety Regulations 2024 48 (b) a risk assessment is conducted under regulation 76(1)(b) that shows that there is no serious risk associated with the proposed work. Example for subregulation (4)(a) The testing of the polarity of an installed outlet. subregulation (1), (2) or (3). (7) In this regulation: safety observer means a person who observes the safe performance of electrical work on energised electrical equipment.