The Employer is Responsible

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires, every employer to ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is provided, only used in the place and under the provisions for which it is provided.

It also requires every employer to ensure work equipment be efficiently maintained and kept fit and suitable for its intended purpose.

It must not be allowed to deteriorate in function or performance to such a leval that it puts people at risk. This means that regular, routine and planned maintenance regimes must be considered if hazardous problems can arise.

Regulation 3 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 recognises a responsibility that employers and many employees have for electrical systems.

"It shall be the duty of every employer and self employed person to comply with the provisions of the Regulations in sar far as they relate to matters which are within his control.

It shall be the duty of every employee while at work:

(a) to co-operate with his employer so far as is necessary to enable and duty placed on that employer by the provision of the Regulations to be complied with: and

(b) to comply with the provision of these regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control."

New Fire Regulations

A new law sees new fire regulations coming into force. This new law puts more emphasis on preventing fires and reducing the risk.

The law states that the responsibility to ensure the safety of everybody in your company is now the employers responsiblity.

As well as ensuring the safety of everyone in your company, you must also ensure the safety of people in the immediate vicinity.

Appointing a "Responsible Person"

Commerical premises are required to appoint a "Responsible Person". This Responsible Person needs to carry out a risk assessment of the premises.

The identified risks recognised by the Responsible Person should then be reduced to an acceptable level by carrying out the relevant precautions.

Punishments for non-compliance

Fines for non compliance issued by the Magistrate Court are up to £20,000. The Crown Court can issue an unlimited fine or 2 years imprisonment.

A high proportion of fires in the workplace are caused by faulty appliances. The risk assessment must cover all electrical equipment.