Posted By Doreen Geoghegan What are the standards and regs for the safety of students undertaking studies in electrical engineering. What is best practice in relation to working on live electrical equipment and testing? In Ireland the electrical regs do not apply to research or testing. Are there any educational institutes who can help?

Posted By Philip McAleenan Doreen, all employers have a duty in respect of anyone who may be affected by their work activity. Students therefore come within the scope of people who are affected by the activity of the college, but much more directly so than for example a customer. College staff teaching the students are required to be competent and competence requires that they carry out their work in such a manner that will cause no injury to themselves or others. In addition, as the students are learning their craft with view to being employed in that area, it in incumbent upon their teachers to ensure that they too become competent with the same requirement that competence includes ability to work safely. Thus all the safety requirements and measures that would be required of employees must also be applied to your students. I hope this helps, Philip

Posted By Ken Taylor In addition to the duties of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act as mentioned above, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 will be applicable. A number of publications include guidance on electricity which can be applied in education including those from the HSE, CLEAPSS Schools Science Service and the Association for Science Education.