Duty Holder Responsibilties

Safe Places of Work - Safe People at Work - Safe Procedures of Work

In 2007 there were 30 fatal accidents in the workplace involving electricity and over 1000 incidents of electrical shock or burns. Details of some of the electrical incidents reported to the HSE and the law used to prosecute the guilty parties can be found on the HSE website http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/index.htm.

The Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 are used to prosecute and trials brought under these regulations commence with the premise that Duty Holders are Guilty until they prove themselves innocent.

• What/Who are Duty Holders?

  Everyone who is involved with electricity i.e. - working on it, working with it or using it - from the engineer in the main switch room to the person on the shop floor pressing the trigger on a power drill.

• How far do the Duties go?

  Regulation 3(2)(b) of the 'Electricity at Work Regulations 1989' states that a 'Duty Holder' must:

  "comply with the Regulations in so far as it relates to matters within his control."

• Who has prime responsibility?

  The prime responsibility is placed on Employers, Directors and Managers.

'Duty Holders' cannot escape their responsibilities under the law, to themselves, their employees, their customers and other stakeholders in their business. 'Duty Holders' are deemed to have the resources and the authority necessary to provide a safety management system and can be held legally accountable following a criminal offence. It is essential for 'Duty Holders' to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

CHARGED WITH ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE? THEN YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

• Do I have updated network drawings?
• Do I have comprehensive test records?
• Does sample testing provide sufficient cover?
• Do I have inspection records highlighting the electrical condition?
• Do I have documented Safe Working Procedures?
• Do I have documented Electrical Safety Rules?
• Do I have a trained and competent workforce?
• Does the company have a positive safety culture/attitude?

If the answer to any of the above questions is 'no' then please contact us here at Connaught Electrical where we would be more than happy to answer any of your queries. You may be interested in our 'Duty Holders Responsibilities' training course provided by Connaught Electrical Training.

For further 'Duty Holder' information, please download our 'Guide for Duty Holders' which has been specifically produced to help you to establish the three building blocks of electrical safety - Safe Places of Work, Safe People at Work and Safe Procedures of Work.