An electrical isolation method statement evidences compliance with regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 — no person shall work on or near a live conductor unless it is unreasonable for the work to be done dead, it is reasonable to do live, and suitable precautions are in place. In practice, the document describes the safe isolation sequence: identify the circuit, switch off, secure with lock-off, prove dead with a GS38-compliant test instrument, prove the test instrument on a known-live source, and finally apply caution notices.
Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/635) imposes a three-part test that has to be satisfied before any work on or near a live conductor is permitted. The default position in UK electrical work is therefore: isolate. A method statement that omits the regulation 14 justification (or skips straight to live working without one) is non-compliant.
The document also sits inside the BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition Amendment 2) framework — Part 5 covers the selection and erection of equipment for safety, including isolation devices. Where the method statement specifies a particular isolator, it should reference the BS 7671 clause that mandates the device class.
HSE GS38 (Electrical test equipment for use on low voltage electrical systems) is the reference document for safe isolation. The sequence is fixed: (1) identify the circuit and confirm the consumer is informed; (2) switch off at the means of isolation; (3) lock off using a personal lock and tag — multiple-lock hasps where more than one person is working on the circuit; (4) prove the voltage indicator on a known-live source (or use a proving unit); (5) prove the circuit dead at every conductor including between phases and to earth; (6) re-prove the voltage indicator on the known-live source to confirm it didn't fail mid-test.
This is the heart of the document. Reviewers expect the sequence written out in numbered steps with the GS38-compliant equipment specified (voltage indicator with finger barriers, fused test leads, exposed metal tips ≤ 4mm).
The lock applied to the isolator must be a personal lock — one key, held by the person working on the circuit. Where more than one contractor is working on the same isolated circuit, a multi-lock hasp is used and each contractor applies their own lock. The lock is removed only by the person who applied it, only after that person has confirmed they have finished work and are clear of the circuit.
Key-cabinets, padlocks shared between supervisors, or 'I'll take it off when you ring me' arrangements do not satisfy regulation 14. They are the most common reason these method statements are rejected on commercial sites.
The method statement has to describe re-energisation as deliberately as it describes isolation. The sequence: confirm all personnel are clear; confirm all temporary connections and tools are removed; confirm all panels and covers are refitted; remove personal locks in reverse order; switch on; verify voltage and confirm the consumer is informed. Most incidents from re-energisation come from tools or test leads left connected — the method statement should require a final visual sweep before the isolator is closed.
The numbered sections a reviewer expects to see, in order.
Specific circuit, consumer unit / DB location, drawing references, downstream loads affected.
Confirm the work is being done dead; if any live element is unavoidable, document the three-part justification.
Named site contact informed; written approval where downstream consumers are affected.
Switch off → lock off (personal lock) → prove voltage indicator on known-live source → prove circuit dead → re-prove voltage indicator.
Voltage indicator make / model, finger barriers, fused test leads, exposed tips ≤ 4mm, last calibration date.
Locations of caution notices, barriers around any open enclosures, exclusion zones.
Step-by-step description of the work performed under isolation.
Final visual sweep, panels refitted, personnel clear, lock removal in reverse order, switch on, voltage verified, consumer informed.
Operative competence — JIB grading or equivalent, BS 7671 qualifications, training in safe isolation.
Why a method statement gets sent back — these are the patterns we see most often.
The legal framework this method statement operates inside. Links go to the official source.
SI 1989/635
Regulation 14 — the live-working test that drives the entire method statement.
HSE GS38
The reference for test instrument specification and the safe isolation sequence.
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022
The technical standard for the installation — chapter 13 covers fundamental principles including isolation.
HSE HSR25
HSE's interpretive guidance on the EAWR — the document reviewers cite for live-working justification.
Yes if any part of the work is on or near a live conductor. The method statement justifies the live-working decision against EAWR regulation 14 (the three-part test) and describes the additional precautions — insulated tools, voltage-rated PPE, restricted access. Most JIB contractors treat any live testing above touch voltage as requiring a documented method.
Only if one person is working on the circuit. Where multiple contractors are working, a multi-lock hasp is required so each contractor applies their own personal lock and removes it only when they have personally finished. Shared or supervisor-controlled locks do not satisfy EAWR.
HSE GS38 specifies the safety features required of voltage indicators and test leads: finger barriers to prevent contact with metal parts, fused leads to limit fault current, and exposed metal tips of no more than 4 mm. Multimeters and indicators that don't meet these criteria are not acceptable for safe isolation work.
The test sequence is: prove the voltage indicator works on a known-live source → test the circuit dead → re-prove the voltage indicator on the known-live source. The re-prove step catches the case where the indicator failed during the dead-test, which would otherwise give a false 'dead' reading. The HSE has investigated fatalities where this step was omitted.
A competent person — typically a JIB-graded electrician or higher with documented training in safe isolation. BS 7671 chapter 14 requires that work is carried out by a 'skilled person' (electrically) and method statements are typically authored by an Approved Electrician or above on commercial sites.
Trade-specific RAMS guidance for the contractors who typically produce this method statement.
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Final RAMS must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.