How to Write a Method Statement for Electrical Installation: UK Guide

Electrical installation is one of the highest-risk trades on any construction site. A poorly written method statement will get knocked back by the principal contractor before your team even sets foot on site. A good one shows you understand the hazards, the sequence of work, and the regulations that apply.

This guide covers what to include in a method statement for electrical first fix, second fix, testing, and commissioning. It references BS 7671 (the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations), the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and Building Regulations Part P so you can write something that actually holds up to scrutiny.

Why Electrical Work Needs a Detailed Method Statement

Principal contractors require method statements from every subcontractor before allowing trades on site. For electrical work, the bar is higher than most trades because the risks are specific and serious: electrocution, arc flash, fire, and cable strikes.

BS 7671 (the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations) sets the technical standard for electrical installations in the UK. Your method statement needs to demonstrate that the work will comply with these requirements. For domestic properties, Building Regulations Part P adds another layer of compliance, requiring notification to Building Control or self-certification through a competent person scheme.

A generic method statement that could apply to any trade will not satisfy a competent site manager. They want to see that you have considered the specific electrical hazards, the sequence of isolation and energisation, and how your work interfaces with other trades on site.

Who Can Do the Work?

Your method statement should clearly state the competency requirements for every person involved. This is not optional. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Regulation 16, requires that anyone carrying out electrical work is competent to do so, or is supervised by someone who is.

• Qualified electricians: NVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services, AM2 assessed, holding a current ECS (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) card
• JIB grading matters: Approved Electrician, Electrician, and Electrical Labourer each have different permitted scope of work. Your method statement should specify which grade is required for each task
• ECS card requirements: most principal contractors will not allow anyone on site without a valid ECS card. Check expiry dates before mobilisation
• Working on or near live parts: Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states that no person shall work on or near live conductors unless it is unreasonable in all circumstances for it to be dead, it is reasonable to work on it live, and suitable precautions are in place. In practice, live working should be an absolute last resort and your method statement must justify it

Method Statement Structure for Electrical Work

Break the method statement into phases that match the actual sequence of work on site. Each phase should have its own hazards, controls, and sign-off points.

First Fix

First fix covers everything from cable routing through to containment installation. This is where most coordination issues arise because you are sharing the building with plumbers, HVAC engineers, and other trades.

• Cable routing plan: reference the electrical layout drawings and specify routes for power, data, and fire alarm cables. Note separation distances between power and data cables per BS 7671
• Notching and drilling limits: Building Regulations set maximum notch depths and hole sizes for joists and studs. Exceeding these weakens the structure. State the limits in your method statement and how you will verify compliance
• Containment: specify the type (trunking, conduit, cable tray, basket) and fixing method. Include fire rating where required
• Fire stopping at compartment boundaries: every cable penetration through a fire-rated wall or floor must be fire stopped. Specify the fire stopping system and who is responsible for installation and inspection
• Coordination with other trades: agree cable routes with the plumber and HVAC contractor before starting. Document any clashes and how they were resolved

Safe Isolation

Safe isolation is the single most critical procedure in electrical work. Every electrician on site must follow the same procedure every time. Your method statement should spell it out step by step, because this is where fatal accidents happen.

• GS38 compliant test probes: HSE Guidance Note GS38 specifies requirements for test probes and leads used on live or potentially live electrical systems. Fused probes, finger guards, insulated tips, and a maximum 4mm exposed tip
• Lock-off procedure: switch off the MCB or isolator, apply a personal lock-off device, and attach a danger tag with your name and date. Nobody removes the lock except the person who placed it
• Proving dead at the point of work: use a voltage indicator to confirm the circuit is dead at the actual point of work, not just at the distribution board. Test between all conductors and between each conductor and earth
• Never trust labels alone: circuit charts can be wrong. Always prove dead regardless of what the label says

Second Fix

Second fix happens after plastering and decoration. This phase covers the installation of accessories, final connections, and circuit labelling.

• Accessory installation: sockets, switches, light fittings, consumer units, and distribution boards. Specify torque settings for terminals per manufacturer instructions
• Final connections: terminate cables, ensure correct polarity, and verify conductor identification (brown = line, blue = neutral, green/yellow = earth for single phase)
• Circuit labelling: BS 7671 requires that every circuit is identified at the distribution board. Label each way clearly so future maintenance can be carried out safely

Testing and Commissioning

Testing is not a formality. Initial verification must be carried out before any circuit is energised. Your method statement should cover the sequence of tests and who is qualified to carry them out.

• Initial verification: insulation resistance (IR), continuity of protective conductors, earth fault loop impedance (Zs), polarity, and RCD operation. All tests must follow the sequence in BS 7671 Chapter 64
• Certification: new installations require an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). Alterations to existing installations need either an EIC or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, depending on scope
• Competent person schemes: if your firm is registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA, you can self-certify notifiable domestic work under Part P without separate Building Control notification. State your registration details in the method statement

Common Hazards to Address

Your method statement risk assessment should cover these hazards as a minimum. For each one, state the likelihood, severity, and the specific controls you will put in place.

• Electric shock and electrocution: the most obvious risk. Controls include safe isolation, lock-off, proving dead, insulated tools, and GS38 compliant test equipment
• Cable strikes: chasing into walls or floors that contain existing cables. Use a cable avoidance tool (CAT) and signal generator before any drilling or chasing. Check existing drawings where available
• Arc flash: a risk when working on or near high-energy distribution systems. Specify arc flash PPE requirements (face shield, arc-rated clothing) and exclusion zones where applicable
• Fire from overloaded circuits: ensure circuit design is adequate for the connected load. Use the correct cable sizes per BS 7671 appendix tables and install appropriate protective devices
• Falls from height: installing luminaires, cable tray at high level, or working on distribution boards in plant rooms often requires working at height. Specify the access equipment (tower scaffold, MEWP, podium steps) and who is trained to use it
• Asbestos: older switchboards, distribution boards, and flash guards may contain asbestos. Check the asbestos register before starting work in any building constructed before 2000. If asbestos is found or suspected, stop work and report it immediately

Safe Isolation: The Non-Negotiable

Safe isolation deserves its own section because it is the single procedure that prevents the most serious injuries and fatalities. Every electrician knows the procedure, but complacency kills. Your method statement should reinforce it as a non-negotiable requirement.

The step-by-step safe isolation procedure:

1. Identify the circuit to be worked on using drawings and circuit charts
2. Prove your voltage indicator is working by testing on a known live source (or a proving unit)
3. Switch off the circuit at the MCB, isolator, or main switch
4. Lock off the isolation point with a personal padlock and attach a danger tag with your name, date, and reason for isolation
5. Test for dead at the point of work using your voltage indicator. Test between all live conductors and between each live conductor and earth
6. Re-prove your voltage indicator on the known live source (or proving unit) to confirm it is still working correctly
7. Only now begin work on the circuit
8. Before re-energising, prove dead again, remove your lock-off device, and confirm the area is clear of personnel and tools

Your voltage indicator must comply with HSE Guidance Note GS38. That means fused probes with a maximum 4mm exposed tip, finger guards, and insulated leads. Cheap non-contact voltage detectors are not sufficient for safe isolation. They are a useful supplementary tool but must never be relied upon as the sole means of proving dead.

If multiple people are working on the same circuit, each person must apply their own personal lock-off device. The circuit must not be re-energised until every lock has been removed by its owner.

Generate Your Electrical Method Statement

Writing a method statement for electrical installation from scratch takes time, especially when you need to cover first fix, second fix, testing, safe isolation, and all the associated hazards. SwiftRMS generates safe systems of work that include safe isolation procedures, hazard controls, and the regulatory references that principal contractors expect to see.

You describe the scope of your electrical work, and SwiftRMS produces a structured method statement with risk assessments, PPE requirements, and step-by-step procedures. You can then review and edit it to match the specific site conditions before submitting to the principal contractor.

Try it free at swiftrms.com/try.

Related Guides

• How to Write a Method Statement
• What is a RAMS?
• Safe System of Work Guide
• COSHH Assessment Guide

Cable Routing and Notching Limits

Correct cable routing is not just good practice. It is a regulatory requirement under Building Regulations Approved Document A and BS 7671. Getting it wrong can weaken structural timbers, damage cables during future work, or create a fire risk.

Approved Document A sets strict limits on notching and drilling joists. Notches must be located in the top of the joist, within the first quarter of the span measured from either support, and must not exceed 0.125 times the joist depth. Drilled holes must sit on the neutral axis (centre line), within the middle 0.4 of the span, and must not exceed 0.25 times the joist depth. These limits prevent structural weakening when routing cables through floor voids.

When running cables within walls, the safe zones defined in BS 7671 apply. Cables must run within 150mm horizontally from any corner of the wall, or within 50mm from the ceiling or floor line. Vertical cable runs must be located at the termination point of the cable (for example, directly above or below a socket or switch). Running cables diagonally across a wall is never permitted because it makes them impossible to locate during future work.

The depth of cable in plaster matters too. Cables buried in plaster must have at least 50mm of cover, or be protected by mechanical protection such as steel capping or earthed metal conduit. Where this depth cannot be achieved (common in dot-and-dab plasterboard), mechanical protection is mandatory.

Where cables cross joists in accessible voids (such as loft spaces), they must be enclosed in metal capping or conduit to protect against accidental damage from foot traffic or stored items. Every cable penetration through a compartment boundary (fire wall, floor between flats, etc.) must be fire stopped to maintain the fire resistance of that boundary. Intumescent sealant or proprietary fire stop devices should be used and noted in your method statement.

Testing and Certification

Every electrical installation or alteration must be tested before it is energised. BS 7671 Chapter 61 sets out the initial verification tests that must be completed in the correct sequence. Your method statement should reference these tests so every operative understands what will be checked at handover.

Continuity of protective conductors (R1+R2) confirms that every circuit protective conductor (CPC) provides a continuous low-resistance path back to the earthing terminal. This test is carried out with the supply isolated, using a low-resistance ohmmeter.

Insulation resistance testing checks that live conductors are properly separated from each other and from earth. The test is performed at 500V DC for standard circuits, with a minimum acceptable reading of 1 megohm. All electronic devices and surge protection must be disconnected before this test to avoid damage.

Polarity testing verifies that line and neutral conductors are connected to the correct terminals throughout the installation, and that single-pole switching devices are fitted in the line conductor only.

Earth fault loop impedance (Zs) measures the total impedance of the fault path from the point of use back to the transformer. The Zs value must be low enough to ensure that the protective device (MCB, fuse, or RCBO) disconnects within the required time if a fault occurs.

RCD operation is tested at rated residual current (typically 30mA for socket circuits) to confirm the device trips within the required time. A 30mA RCD must trip within 300ms at rated current and within 40ms at five times rated current. Both trip time and trip current must be recorded.

Prospective fault current (PFC) is measured at the origin of the installation. This value confirms that every protective device in the consumer unit has an adequate breaking capacity to safely interrupt the highest possible fault current.

Once testing is complete, the correct certification must be issued. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is required for new circuits or complete rewires. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is used to assess the condition of existing installations. A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate covers small additions or alterations to an existing circuit, such as adding a spur or replacing a consumer unit.

Electricians registered with a competent person scheme (such as NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or STROMA) can self-certify notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. This means they can notify building control and issue certification without a separate inspection. Non-registered electricians can still carry out notifiable work, but must arrange a building control inspection separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a method statement for like-for-like socket replacement?

A like-for-like socket replacement is not notifiable under Part P, so building control sign-off is not required. However, if the work is on a commercial site or falls under a CDM project, the principal contractor will almost certainly require a method statement. Even on domestic jobs, writing a brief method statement is good practice because it forces you to plan the isolation procedure and confirm the circuit details before starting.

Can a non-Part P registered electrician do notifiable work?

Yes. An electrician who is not registered with a competent person scheme can still carry out notifiable electrical work, but they (or the homeowner) must submit a building notice to the local authority building control before the work begins. A building control inspector will then visit to check the work. This route involves additional fees and waiting time, which is why most clients prefer to use a registered electrician.

What is the difference between an EIC and an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued when new electrical work is completed. It confirms the installation was designed, constructed, and tested to BS 7671. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a periodic inspection of an existing installation. It grades the condition of each circuit and identifies defects. An EIC proves the new work is safe. An EICR tells you whether the existing installation remains safe.

Do I need to isolate the whole board or just one circuit?

In most cases, you only need to isolate the specific circuit you are working on. Use a lock-off kit on the MCB and confirm dead at the point of work with a voltage indicator tested to GS38. Full board isolation is only needed when working inside the consumer unit itself or when replacing the main switch. Your method statement should specify which circuits will be isolated and the prove-dead procedure.

What training do electricians need for working at height?

Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, any person working at height must be competent or supervised by a competent person. Electricians who regularly use ladders, stepladders, or mobile towers should hold an IPAF or PASMA certificate as appropriate. Ladder inspection training and a toolbox talk on three-point contact are the minimum for most domestic and light commercial work. Your method statement should name the access equipment and confirm operative competence.

Authority Sources

The following external resources provide the regulatory and technical foundation for electrical method statements:

• BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition) - the national standard for electrical installation in the UK
• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 - statutory duties for managing electrical risk in the workplace
• Building Regulations Approved Document P (Electrical Safety) - notification and compliance requirements for domestic electrical work
• HSE GS38: Electrical Test Equipment for Use by Electricians - guidance on selecting and using safe test instruments
• IET Wiring Matters - technical articles and updates on wiring regulation changes

For more guidance on construction documentation, see these related guides:

• Safe System of Work Guide
• What is a RAMS?
• Construction Phase Plan
• How to Write a Method Statement
• Working at Height RAMS