A Fire in the Workplace

When did you last have your wiring systems inspected? Are you familiar with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989?

The purpose of these Regulations is to ensure that precautions are taken to protect against the risk of death or personal injury from electricity in work activities.

Both employers and the self employed have a duty to comply with the provisions set out in the Regulations: this includes having the wiring systems periodically examined by a competent person.

Electrical appliances, plugs and cables, especially those that are old, can be a real fire risk.  As a result, it’s not unusual for property damage insurers to insist that wiring installations be examined and certified as part of the renewal process. If not, they may not offer insurance cover.

Did you know?

The average cost of a commercial fire insurance claim has risen from £7,000 in 2002 to £20,000 in 2008.

It is essential that your business has the right levels of insurance to protect against fire risks.  We can assess your business risks and arrange a suitable insurance programme.

Last reviewed 7/11/2011

Sources: Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0.
Information in this article has been obtained from the Association of British Insurers – www.abi.org.uk

To talk to an expert in your area and get a quote, contact your local insurance broker.