The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002

General adequacy of electrical equipment

3.—(1) Generators, distributors and meter operators shall ensure that their equipment is—

(a) sufficient for the purposes for and the circumstances in which it is used; and

(b) so constructed, installed, protected (both electrically and mechanically), used and maintained as to prevent danger, interference with or interruption of supply, so far as is reasonably practicable.

(2) Generators and distributors shall—

(a) for each of their overhead lines or part thereof and for each of their substations, assess the foreseeable risk of danger from interference, vandalism or unauthorised access, having regard to both the nature of the equipment and use of the surrounding land, and classify the degree of the risk;

(b) enter details of the result of the classification of risk in a register or other permanent record kept updated for the purpose; and

(c) take measures to safeguard the equipment commensurate with the nature and class of risk to which it gives rise.

(3) Generators and distributors shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the public are made aware of dangers which may arise from activities carried out in proximity to overhead lines, and to indicate the means by which those dangers may be avoided.

(4) Generators and distributors shall take precautions to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, danger due to the influx of water, or any noxious or explosive liquid or gas, into any enclosed space, arising from the installation or operation of their equipment.