ABSTRACT
This Chapter describes safe systems of working and the principle of operation of some electrical machines, equipment and systems.
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 places a statutory and common law obligation on employers to take reasonable care of the health and safety of their workers. The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 places an obligation on employers to carry out “risk assessments” and, where necessary, to take action to eliminate or control risks. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Construction Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1996 cover all aspects of the workplace and construction sites respectively. They include the requirement that all areas where people could fall from a height of two metres or above, are properly guarded. The latest HSE Regulations “Working at Height” were introduced in April 2005. The aim of these Regulations is to avoid working at height, if possible, but where this cannot be avoided, to use the best practicable means of ensuring the safety of those working at height. However, despite all the legislation, we know from the HSE statistics that accidents still occur in the workplace.
