What is HSG85?
HSG85 is the Health and Safety Executive's authoritative guidance document on safe working practices for electrical work. This publication provides comprehensive procedures for anyone who works on, near, or with electrical equipment and systems. The guidance is designed to help employers, employees, and self-employed workers understand and implement safe systems of work that prevent electrical accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
The document specifically addresses the practical application of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, focusing on how to achieve safe isolation of electrical equipment, the circumstances under which live working might be justified, and the precautions necessary when working near live conductors. HSG85 serves as an essential reference for establishing safe working procedures that comply with legal requirements while remaining practical for everyday workplace situations.
Electrical accidents remain a significant cause of workplace injuries and deaths. HSG85 provides the knowledge and procedural framework needed to prevent these incidents through proper planning, risk assessment, and implementation of safe working practices.
Who Needs This Document?
Primary Audiences
Electrical Contractors and Electricians rely on HSG85 as their core reference for safe working procedures. Whether installing new systems, maintaining existing equipment, or responding to faults, electrical workers need to understand and apply the principles outlined in this guidance.
Facilities Managers and Maintenance Teams are responsible for ensuring electrical systems remain safe throughout their operational life. HSG85 provides the framework for establishing maintenance schedules, safe isolation procedures, and permit-to-work systems.
Health and Safety Managers use this document to develop company policies, training programmes, and risk assessments related to electrical work. The guidance helps them establish standards that meet legal requirements and industry best practice.
Secondary Audiences
SME Owners and Managers who may not have dedicated safety personnel benefit from understanding the principles of electrical safety. This knowledge helps them make informed decisions about contractor selection, workplace procedures, and equipment maintenance.
Property Managers responsible for commercial or residential properties need to ensure electrical work is carried out safely by competent persons following appropriate procedures.
General Workers who may occasionally need to interact with electrical equipment, even at a basic level, should understand the hazards and the importance of safe isolation procedures.
Key Topics Covered
Safe Isolation Procedures
The cornerstone of electrical safety is the safe isolation of equipment before any work begins. HSG85 provides detailed procedures for achieving and verifying safe isolation:
- Identifying all sources of electrical supply to equipment
- Switching off and isolating at appropriate points
- Securing isolation using locks and warning notices
- Proving the equipment is dead using approved voltage indicators
- Testing voltage indicators before and after use on known live sources
The document emphasises that safe isolation is not simply switching off - it requires a systematic approach that accounts for all potential energy sources and verifies their disconnection before work begins.
Live Working Considerations
HSG85 is clear that live working should be avoided wherever possible. However, the guidance recognises that certain circumstances may make live working necessary, such as testing and fault-finding activities. When live working cannot be avoided, the document outlines:
- The legal requirements that must be satisfied before live working is permitted
- Risk assessment requirements for live working activities
- Competency requirements for personnel undertaking live work
- Precautions including barriers, insulated tools, and personal protective equipment
- Accompaniment requirements and emergency procedures
The guidance stresses that live working should only be undertaken when it is unreasonable for the work to be done dead and when suitable precautions are in place to prevent injury.
Working Near Live Conductors
Many electrical accidents occur not during work on electrical equipment, but when working near energised conductors. HSG85 addresses the risks associated with:
- Overhead power lines on construction sites and agricultural premises
- Underground cables during excavation work
- Exposed live parts in switch rooms and substations
- Accidental contact with live equipment during other work activities
The guidance provides practical measures for controlling these risks, including safe distances, barriers, and the use of cable detection equipment.
Competence and Training
Electrical work must only be undertaken by competent persons. HSG85 defines competence in terms of:
- Technical knowledge appropriate to the work being undertaken
- Experience of the type of electrical system involved
- Understanding of the hazards and appropriate precautions
- Ability to recognise when work is beyond personal competence
The document emphasises that competence is task-specific - a person competent for one type of electrical work may not be competent for another.
Permit-to-Work Systems
For higher-risk electrical work, HSG85 recommends formal permit-to-work systems. These documented procedures ensure:
- Proper authorisation of work activities
- Clear communication between all parties involved
- Systematic implementation of safety precautions
- Formal handover and handback procedures
- Recorded verification of safety measures
Using This Guidance
Step 1: Assess Your Electrical Work Activities
Begin by identifying all activities in your workplace that involve working on or near electrical equipment. This includes routine maintenance, fault repairs, modifications, and testing. Consider both planned work and emergency responses.
Step 2: Develop Safe Working Procedures
Using HSG85 as your reference, develop written procedures for each type of electrical work activity. These procedures should specify:
- Who is authorised to carry out the work
- What isolation and safety measures are required
- How these measures will be verified
- What equipment and PPE is needed
- Emergency procedures in case of incident
Step 3: Implement Training Programmes
Ensure all personnel who work on electrical equipment receive appropriate training. This should cover:
- The hazards of electricity and how injuries occur
- Safe isolation procedures and their importance
- Use of test equipment and PPE
- Company-specific procedures and permit systems
- Recognition of situations requiring additional expertise
Step 4: Provide Appropriate Equipment
Workers need access to suitable equipment for safe electrical work, including:
- Approved voltage indicators (not multimeters for proving dead)
- Locking devices for isolation points
- Warning notices and barriers
- Insulated tools where live working is unavoidable
- Appropriate personal protective equipment
Step 5: Monitor and Review
Regularly audit compliance with safe working procedures. Review procedures after any incidents, near misses, or changes to equipment or work practices. Update training as needed to address identified gaps.
Why It Matters
Legal Compliance
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place strict duties on employers and employees regarding electrical safety. HSG85 provides practical guidance on meeting these legal requirements. Failure to comply can result in prosecution, significant fines, and imprisonment for serious breaches.
Preventing Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Electrical accidents can be immediately fatal or cause life-changing injuries including severe burns, cardiac arrest, and neurological damage. Even non-fatal electrical shocks can have lasting health effects. Following HSG85 guidance significantly reduces these risks.
Protecting Your Business
Beyond the human cost, electrical accidents can devastate businesses through:
- Prosecution and penalties
- Civil claims for compensation
- Increased insurance premiums
- Reputational damage
- Business interruption
Industry Standards
HSG85 represents accepted good practice in the electrical industry. Contractors and employers who follow this guidance demonstrate their commitment to safety and their competence to undertake electrical work. Many clients and principal contractors require evidence of HSG85 compliance before permitting electrical work on their premises.
Building a Safety Culture
Implementing HSG85 guidance contributes to a broader culture of workplace safety. When workers see that electrical safety is taken seriously, this influences attitudes toward all aspects of health and safety, creating a safer workplace overall.