Health and Safety

Executive

Electrical standards and approved

codes of practice
Listed below are some commonly used electrical standards and approved codes of practice. Additional standards
and codes of practice would generally be needed to satisfy a specific application - it is the responsibility of the
specifier to select and apply these. You should ensure that the standard you use is the current one.

The standards are organised into a number of topic areas and are ordered with the lowest number at the top of
each table:

Electrical and Power

Electrical Appliances
Electromagnetic Compatibility

Flammable Atmospheres

Machinery

Electrical and Power

Standard Year Description

2009 -
BS EN 61439 (many parts) Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies
2012

BS 5266 Parts 1 to 10 also 1999 -

Code of practice for emergency lighting
BS EN 50172 2008

BS 5424 Parts 2 and 3, 1985 -

Specification for low voltage control gear
also IEC 60158 part 3 1988

Monitoring and maintenance guide for mineral insulating oils in

BS EN 60422 2008
electrical equipment

BS 5839 Parts 1 - 11, also 1988 -

Fire detection & alarm systems for buildings
PD6531:2010 2010

BS EN 60079-30-2 2007 Electric surface heating

Code of practice for maintenance of electrical switchgear and

BS 6423 1983
controlgear for voltages up to and including 1 kV

Code of practice for maintenance of electrical switchgear and

BS 6626 2010 controlgear for voltages above l kV and up to and including 36
kV
 2006-
BS EN 62305, 4 parts Code of practice for protection of structures against lightning
2011

Code of practice for distribution of electricity on construction

BS 7375 2010
and building sites

BS 7430 1998 Code of practice for earthing

2008 - Requirements for electrical installations. IEE Wiring

BS 7671
2011 Regulations. Seventeenth edition

2008 - Code of practice for temporary electrical systems for

BS 7909
2011 entertainment and related purposes.

2004 -
BS EN 50110 Parts 1 and 2 Operation of electrical installations
2010

IEC 60479 Parts 1-4, also 1994-

Guide to effects of current on human beings and livestock.
PD6519 2005

Specification for degrees of protection provided by enclosures

BS EN 60529 1992
(IP code)

2001 -
BS EN 60947 Parts 1-8 Specification for low voltage switch gear and control gear
2011

[back to top]

Electrical Appliances
Standard Year Description

Specification for general purpose fuse links for domestic and

BS 1362 1973
similar purposes (primarily for use in plugs)

1995 -
BS 1363 Parts 1 -5 13 A plugs, socket-outlets and adaptors.
2008

BS EN (IEC) 60309, 1999 -

Plugs, socket-outlets and couplers for industrial purposes.
Parts 1,2, 4 2007

BS EN 60320, Parts 1, 1999 -

Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes.
2 2009

BS EN 60335, Many Specification for safety of household and similar electrical

 
parts appliances

[back to top]
Electromagnetic Compatibility
Standard Year Description

BS EN 61000-6- 2007 -
Electromagnetic compatibility. Generic emission standard.
3,4 2011

BS EN 61000-6- 2005 -
Electromagnetic compatibility. Generic immunity standard.
1,2 2007

BS EN (IEC) Electromagnetic compatibility for industrial-process measurement and

1993
60801, Part 2 control equipment. Electrostatic discharge requirements

[back to top]

Flammable Atmospheres
Standard Year Description

Guide to risk based assessments of in-situ large Ex e & Ex n

EEMUA 181 1995
machines

A Practitioners handbook – electrical installation &

EEMUA 186 1997
maintenance in potentially explosive atmospheres

Explosive atmospheres. Explosion prevention and

2007 protection.
BS EN 1127, Parts 1,2
-2008
Basic concepts and methodology for mining

Code of practice for avoidance of hazards due to static

PD CLC/TR 50404: 2003
electricity.

2004, Electrical apparatus with protection by enclosure for use in

BS EN 61241
2005 the presence of combustible dusts.

Assessment of inadvertent ignition of flammable

PD CLC/TR 50427 2004
atmospheres by radio-frequency radiation. Guide

Testing of valves. Specification for fire type-testing

BS EN ISO 10497 2004
requirements

Guide to the use of electrical apparatus complying with BS

BS 7535 1992
5501 or BS 6941 in the presence of combustible dusts

Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres.

BS EN 60079, many parts 2004
Replaced by BS EN 60079, but remains current.
 Explosive atmospheres. Equipment protected by oil
BS EN 60079-6 2007
immersion "o"

Explosive atmospheres. Equipment protected by pressurized

BS EN 60079-2 2007
enclosures "p"

Explosive atmospheres. Equipment protected by powder

BS EN 60079-5 2007
filling "q"

Explosive atmospheres. Equipment protected by flameproof

BS EN 60079-1 2007
enclosures 'd'

Explosive atmospheres. Equipment protected by increased

BS EN 60079-7 2007
safety 'e'

Explosive atmospheres. Equipment protected by intrinsic

BS EN 60079-11 2007
safety 'i'

Explosive atmospheres. Gas detection. Selection,

BS EN 60079-22-2 2007 installation, use and maintenance of detectors for flammable
gases or oxygen

Energy Institute Model Code

2010 Electrical Safety Code
Of Safe Practice, Part 1 (IP1)

Energy Institute Model Code

Area classification code for installations handling flammable
Of Safe Practice, Part 15 2005
fluids
(IP15)

Energy Institute Model Code

Guidelines for the control of hazards arising from static
Of Safe Practice, Part 21 2002
electricity
(IP21)

[back to top]

Machinery
Standard Year Description

BS EN ISO 13850 2008 Safety of machinery. Emergency stop. Principles for design.

1997 - Safety of machinery. Guards. General requirements for the design and
BS EN 953
2009 construction of fixed and movable guards

Safety of machinery. Safety related parts of control systems. General

BS EN 13849 2008
principles for design
 1996 Safety of machinery. Safety requirements for fluid power systems and
BS EN 982
 -2008 their components. Hydraulics

1996 Safety of machinery. Safety requirements for fluid power systems and
BS EN 983
 -2008 their components. Pneumatics

1996
BS EN 1037 Safety of machinery. Prevention of unexpected start-up
 -2008

Safety of machinery. General principles for design. Risk assessment

BS EN  ISO 12100 2010
and risk reduction.

Safety of machinery. Interlocking devices associated with guards.

BS EN 1088 2008
Principles for design and selection.

PD 5304 2005 Safe use of machinery

BS EN 60204
  Safety of machinery. Electrical equipment of machines.
many parts

BS EN 61069, 1991- Industrial-process measurement and control. Evaluation of system

Parts 1-8 1999 properties for the purpose of system assessment.

BS EN 61310,
2008 Safety of machinery. Indication, marking and actuation.
Parts 1,2,3

BS EN 61496, 3 2004 -
Safety of machinery. Electro-sensitive protective equipment.
parts 2008

Printing industry advisory committee - safety at power operated paper

PIAC 1988
cutting guillotines

Resources
Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989[72]

Electricity at work: Safe working practices [73]

Electrical safety and you: A brief guide [74]

See also
HSE Books[76]

Related content
ESQCR[77] incidents[78]

Construction industry[79]
Agriculture[80]

Offshore division[81]
 Chemical industries[82]

Quarries[83]

RIDDOR[84]
Statistics[85]

Link URLs in this page

1. Electrical safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/index.htm
2. Overview - HSE electrical safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/hse.htm
3. How we work
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/how.htm
4. Who we are
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/who.htm
5. Contacts
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/contacts.htm
6. Electrical injuries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/injuries.htm
7. Overview - Simple precautions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/precautions.htm
8. Work near electricity
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/nearelectric.htm
9. Excavation and underground services
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/excavations.htm
10. Overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/overhead.htm
11. Work using electrically powered equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/electricequip.htm
12. Work on electrical equipment, machinery or installations
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/withequip.htm
13. Maintaining electrical equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/safety.htm
14. Electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive.htm
15. Standards and codes of practice
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/standards.htm
16. Electrical safety FAQs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq.htm
17. Overview - Electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres FAQs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/index.htm
18. General, guidance and enforcement issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/general.htm
19. Definitions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/definitions.htm
20. Interpretation
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/interpretation.htm
21. Technical standards
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/standards.htm
22. Existing equipment issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/existing.htm
23. Imported products
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/imported.htm
24. General issues and information
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/issues.htm
25. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/lpg.htm
26. Overview - Resources
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/index.htm
27. General health and safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/general.htm
28. Inspection & testing
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/testing.htm
29. Maintenance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/maintenance.htm
30. Construction
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/construction.htm
31. Farming/forestry
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/agriculture.htm
32. Public places
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/public.htm
33. Potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/explosive.htm
34. The law
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/law.htm
35. Other workplaces
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/other.htm
36. Links
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/links.htm
37. Overview - Accident case studies
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/experience.htm
38. Overview - Overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/index.htm
39. Lorry driver suffers burns
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/lorry.htm
40. Failing to warn driver of overhead lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/farmer.htm
41. Failure to isolate power supply
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/isolate.htm
42. Erecting a lighting tower
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/under.htm
43. Scaffolding contacting overhead line
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/scaffold.htm
44. Moving tower scaffold
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/painters.htm
45. Overview - Electrical maintenance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/index.htm
46. Changing an electrode
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/electrode.htm
47. Touching live equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/touch.htm
48. Incorrectly wired appliance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/appliance.htm
49. Insulating live wires
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/insulate.htm
50. Faulty air conditioning unit
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/aircondition.htm
51. Live electrical panel
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/panel.htm
52. Supply not been properly isolated
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/isolate.htm
53. Injuries result in amputation
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/amputation.htm
54. Switchgear not isolated
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/switchgear.htm
55. Induction heat treatment machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/heart.htm
56. Poorly constructed equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/testing.htm
57. Pressure water washing machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/washingmachine.htm
58. Metal fence
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/fence.htm
59. Incorrectly wiring a machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/wiring.htm
60. Mail wrapping machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/mail.htm
61. Overview - Excavations
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/index.htm
62. Cable locator
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/locator.htm
63. Road breaker
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/roadbreaker.htm
64. Pneumatic impact mole
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/mole.htm
65. Pneumatic breaker
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/breaker.htm
 66. Jackhammer
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/jackhammer.htm
67. Breaking concrete
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/concrete.htm
68. Gas pipes and electrical cables
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/digger.htm
69. Overview - Ignition of potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/index.htm
70. Removing paint in a yacht
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/paint.htm
71. Cleaning electric stirrer
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/clean.htm
72. Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsr25.htm
73. Electricity at work: Safe working practices
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg85.htm
74. Electrical safety and you: A brief guide
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg231.htm
75. More resources
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/index.htm
76. HSE Books
https://books.hse.gov.uk/
77. ESQCR
https://www.hse.gov.uk/esqcr/index.htm
78. incidents
https://www.hse.gov.uk/esqcr/index.htm
79. Construction industry
https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm
80. Agriculture
https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/index.htm
81. Offshore division
https://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/index.htm
82. Chemical industries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/chemicals/index.htm
83. Quarries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/quarries/index.htm
84. RIDDOR
https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm
85. Statistics
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm

Glossary of abbreviations/acronyms on this page

ESQCR Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations

HSE aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health.

Information in other languages