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Health and Safety Legislation expects you to provide safe electrics and proof of inspections and repairs. And that’s where Electrical Safety Certificates come in. Let’s have a closer look at why they are an essential requirement.
An Electrical Safety Certificate is a legal requirement for your commercial property. Also known as a Fixed Wiring Certificate or an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), it pretty much does what it says on the tin.
You will receive an Electrical Safety Certificate from the electrician who inspects your premises. It will detail what’s been checked, the condition of your systems and equipment or any future work that needs to be carried out to keep you compliant.
Any issues will be recorded as either:
It goes without saying that no business wants to get into bother for non-compliance. If you are the person in charge of making sure you don’t get hit with a heavy fine, it is essential for you to know what laws your business should be following.
Although EICR isn’t actually a law itself, it does relate to two very important ones – The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and Electricity at Work Regulations (1989). Both pieces of legislation are the cornerstone of health and safety in commercial properties. So, it’s a good idea for employers and employees alike to make themselves familiar with the legal requirements they set out.
Requirements expected from employers include:
Getting an Electrical Safety Certificate is a straightforward process. A registered electrician needs to carry out a property inspection and assess the conditions of electrical installations.
Areas to be inspected include:
If everything is safe and compliant, an Electrical Safety Certificate is issued. The date of the next inspection will be recommended as part of the certificate, so you’ll need to schedule another inspection within that timeframe to keep your company compliant.
Failing to obtain or renew your Electrical Safety Certificate can have severe consequences for your business. Non-compliance with electrical safety regulations is not just a legal issue but can also lead to significant financial, operational, and reputational damage, including:
Businesses found to be non-compliant with electrical safety regulations are at risk of hefty fines and legal penalties. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK can impose fines running into thousands of pounds depending on the severity of the breach. In some cases, especially where non-compliance leads to injury or death of an employee, you could face prosecution or even imprisonment.
Without a valid Electrical Safety Certificate, your insurance policy may be rendered void in the event of an electrical fire or other related incidents. This could leave your business exposed to substantial financial losses, as you would have to cover the cost of damages and liabilities out of pocket.
Electrical faults can lead to power outages, equipment failures or fires, all of which can severely disrupt business operations. The lack of a safety certificate could delay repairs and lead to extended downtime, which can be costly and result in a loss of customers.
Non-compliance with safety regulations can negatively impact your business's reputation, especially if it leads to an accident or becomes public knowledge. Customers, clients and partners expect businesses to operate safely, and failing to meet these expectations can result in lost business and a bad reputation.
To ensure your business remains compliant and avoids the risks associated with non-compliance, consider the following best practices:
Don’t wait until the last minute to arrange your EICR. Proactively schedule regular inspections well before your current certificate expires. By doing so, you’ll have time to complete any necessary repairs or improvements without the added pressure of a looming deadline.
Make sure you keep detailed records of all inspections, repairs and maintenance activities in a secure place. Not only will this help you stay organised, but it’ll also be crucial evidence of compliance in case you face any disputes or investigations.
When it comes to managing your finances, you might be tempted to go for the lowest quote you can get. But make sure you’re not compromising your compliance. By using qualified, registered electricians for inspections, you’ll guarantee that the work is done to a high standard and reduce the risk of future issues.
Develop and implement an electrical safety policy within your business. This policy should outline procedures for regular inspections, staff training and emergency response plans in the event of an electrical incident.
It’s important to regularly educate and train your staff on electrical safety. They should be aware of the importance of compliance, how to recognise potential electrical hazards, and what actions to take if they encounter any issues. This approach will keep your staff safe and help prevent accidents before they occur.
You should regularly check that your electrical equipment and installations are maintained and upgraded as needed. Outdated or poorly maintained equipment is more likely to fail and cause safety issues. However, regular maintenance helps extend the life of your equipment and means that it continues to operate safely and efficiently.
It is a legal requirement for your electrical installations to have periodic inspections. If your business is based in Leeds or the surrounding areas, Volta Compliance can help ensure you stay compliant.
Our expert electricians will carry out a full inspection of your systems and equipment, discover any issues and provide the repairs needed. So if you need an Electrical Safety Certificate that covers legal requirements for your commercial property – call Volta Compliance on 0113 436 0402 or email [email protected].
