Bureau Veritas helps duty holders get compliant with new electrical safety training

Introduced in January 2019, BS 7671 – IET Wiring Regulations 18^th edition set out significant recommendations, both mandatory and optional, for new electrical installations. The recommendations are aimed at improving protection against fire and overvoltages as well as providing clarity on special location installations, in a bid to raise safety standards in domestic, industrial and commercial premises.

A recent survey conducted by Bureau Veritas showed that 63% of respondents were not prepared for the changes, and 53% felt the level of available support on the market was poor.¹ Duty holders are legally obliged to ensure the maintenance of a compliant and safe working environment for staff and visitors to their premises under the Electricity at Work Regulations (regulation 4).

Recognising the need to help duty holders get up to speed on the latest electrical safety practices, the course, led by the Bureau Veritas Learning Academy, is designed for business owners, senior and operational managers, team leaders and supervisors. Centred on best practice, the course will teach senior business leaders about the important aspects of the law around electrical safety including recent changes, such as the 18^th edition, with guidance on how to apply this within a workplace environment and create an effective electrical compliance strategy.

Participants will also learn more about how to demonstrate commitment to the duty holder role, through supervision and monitoring. These learnings will help duty holders to understand the full breadth of their role and responsibilities regarding electrical safety and how to achieve compliance in the workplace.

The courses will run as one-day sessions, allowing 12 delegates per session.

Michael Kenyon, Technical Manager at Bureau Veritas, said: “We’re really happy to have launched our electrical safety awareness course for duty holders. In recent years, electrical safety has never been more widely discussed, and while the 18^th edition goes a long way to mitigating some of the risks associated with electrical safety, duty holder education is another great step in the right direction to earning compliance and ensuring a safe working environment for staff and members of the visiting public.”

Bureau Veritas also revealed that duty holders should consider the qualifications of electrical contractors - who may need to complete the 18^th Edition City & Guilds course - to ensure they have the most up to date knowledge when it comes to compliance.

Michael adds: “While electrical safety is no doubt at the top of the agenda for many duty holders, a sizeable proportion may not fully understand what their role and responsibilities truly entail. Knowledge is power and taking full advantage of our electrical safety awareness course, alongside other industry accredited courses, will ensure duty holders get ahead of the new regulations, and undoubtedly, will help to save lives.”

Bureau Veritas offers a range of testing and certification services to support customers in managing compliance around electrical safety in general for new and existing installations or for specific areas.

For further information, call 0345 600 1828 or email training@uk.bureauveritas.com