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Are your electrical appliances safe?
Did you know that 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances.
The UK Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires that "every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adopted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided".
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1998 states "As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent so far as reasonably practicable, such danger."
This means that employers (and the self-employed) must ensure that all electrical work equipment is safe, suitable for the purpose and properly maintained in good order.
The scope of the legislation covers everything from small portable equipment e.g. hand drills to fixed 400 kV distribution systems. Note that different inspection and maintenance regimes are recommended for fixed electrical installations and portable electrical equipment.
Testing of portable electrical equipment.
The routine inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances or equipment, is an important safety requirement, and can help you fulfill your responsibilities
The HSE strategy suggests user checks, backed up by formal visual inspection and combined inspection and test.
User Check
The user of the equipment should be encouraged to check the condition of the equipment prior to use. It is relatively easy for people to spot and report signs of damage, overheating and misuse.
Formal Visual inspection.
The most important monitoring of portable appliances is through a regular formal visual inspection. This should be carried out by someone who has been properly trained to perform a more thorough check of the equipment. This may include examining plugs, fuses, cable terminations etc.
Combined Inspection and Testing.
Faults may arise in electrical equipment that are not readily apparent. For example internal damage may result from misuse or internal electrical connections may
deteriorate over time. One way to identify such defects is through an electrical test and this is commonly done using an instrument known as a Portable Appliance Tester (a "PAT" tester). In low risk environments, a properly trained, competent member of staff can perform these tests using a suitable "off the Shelf" PAT tester. In higher risk areas, a more highly trained specialist may be needed to perform complex tests and interpret the results.
There are no set statutory periods for formal visual inspection and test. The maintenance regime should be appropriate to the environment and duty for which the equipment is used. Electrical testing in a low-risk area (e.g. in an office) would be less frequent than in say a harsh industrial environment. Guidance on inspection intervals can be found in the IEE and HSE documents identified below.
Records
Although there is no mandatory requirement to produce and keep records on the condition of electrical equipment, the HSE Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations (HS(R)25) advises that records of maintenance, including test results, will enable the condition of equipment and the effectiveness of maintenance policies to be monitored.
The IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment recommends that a log be kept of the condition of equipment, together with records that may be held on paper or on electronic memory.
In the event of a prosecution arising from an injury relating to a portable appliance, it would assist the employer’s case if they can produce up to date, accurate records to indicate that they had taken reasonable actions to comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations.
Our prices start from just £0.79 per item*. How much your inspections and tests are depend entirely on how many items you have us test. The more tests, the cheaper it will be. email or phone to find how how little it could cost you.
Our price includes minor remedial work, such as a plug rewire, cable shortening to remove damage and correct fuse replacement.
Please see our price list.
We use the latest test equipment and give you documentation which includes full result reports on paper or CD. We can keep an inventory of your equipment and remind you just before they are due for inspection or testing, to schedule our next visit.
Be safe, be legal and keep your insurance valid.
(see why I need Pat Testing)
*(Excludes Vat, price depends on site & location)
www.pat-test-southwest.co.uk
© Pat Test Southwest 2008
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