High voltage and hazardous area installations
Certain electrical work (installation work) in hazardous areas must not be connected to an electricity supply unless the work has been inspected and tested by an accredited auditor to ensure its safety. This means electrical work involving laboratories, chemical manufacturing plants, spray booths and petrol dispensing pump installations must not be connected to supply without an inspection.
The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 PDF (801 KB) Section 153(1) states:
“A person must not connect or reconnect a high voltage electrical installation, or an electrical installation located in a hazardous area, to a source of electricity after electrical installation work or electrical line work has been performed on the electrical installation unless:
- the electrical work has been inspected by an
accredited auditor; and - the accredited auditor has confirmed that the electrical installation, to the extent it is affected by the electrical work, has been tested to ensure it is electrically safe and is in accordance with the wiring rules and any other standard applying under this regulation to the electrical installation.”
Any breach of this section leaves the contractor open to enforcement action which could include being issued with a notice (including on-the-spot fine), prosecution, or referral to the Electrical Licensing Committee.
A list of accredited auditors, and details of how to become an accredited auditor, are available
Last updated 22 July 2008