What are the Laws and Legal
Obligations?
What are the regulations?
What kind of premises
do the Regulations cover?
What must employers do to make sure that all these regulations are met?
Which
portable electrical equipment needs to be maintained?
How Frequently should the tests on equipment be carried out?
What tests must be preformed?
Who should carry out the testing of portable electrical equipment?
How should the results be
documented?
Who is responsible for the maintenance of portable electrical equipment?
Where can you find out more?
What are the regulations?
The regulations were first brought out into force on 1st April 1990. They were
made under the Health & Safety at work (etc) Act 1974 and they made clear the
steps that must be taken to ensure the safety of electrical systems and
equipment.
The regulations require that precautions be taken to lower the risk of things
such as injury or death from electrical activities in work. The regulations
state that in order to avoid the use of equipment to create dangerous
situations, it should be maintained throughout it's working life.
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What kind of premises
do the Regulations cover?
The regulations include premises that are used by the public (including staff
and all other employees within the premises). This would include hospitals,
schools, shops, factories, offices, etc.
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What must employers (and the self-employed) do to make sure that all these
regulations are met?
To meet the obligations that are expected of them, employers and the
self-employed should arrange for periodical inspections and tests for all
portable electrical equipment that is in their responsibility.
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Which
portable electrical equipment needs to be maintained?
Equipment that is held in the hand during it's normal use; or equipment that can
be moved from on place to another easily while connected to a supply or that can
be moved while in operation should be included in the regular inspection
programme.
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How
Frequently should the tests on equipment be carried out?
In the Health & Safety regulations there is no mention of the time period
between maintenance checks, however the Health & Safety Executive recommends
'regular' inspections. The time allowed between the inspections and tests
depends largely on the type of equipment but also it's age, condition and
operating environment. The IEE Code of Practise for the in-service inspection
for electrical equipment, provides a guide that can be used until enough
experience is collected of the equipment to know what is appropriate in that
circumstance.
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What tests must be preformed?
The Safety regulations themselves do not indicate which tests should be carried
out in order to verify the equipment electrical safety. Although it is generally
recommended by the Health & Safety Executive that a inspection should take place
regularly and testing should be done if necessary.
If testing is found to be necessary, reference should be taken from the IEE Code
of Practise for the standard tests that should be carried out.
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Who
should carry out the testing of portable electrical equipment?
Someone with both adequate knowledge and practical experience with electricity
and it's hazards should carry out the visual inspection and electrical testing.
The person must also have a good understanding of the operating principles of
the equipment being tested and have up to date knowledge of the relevant safety
standards so they can make appropriate judgements.
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How should the results be
documented?
When testing it is suggested that a controlled system be created for the testing
of equipment which includes two types of records: A record of all equipment on
the premises and a log sheet for each.
The first step to correct logging is to make an accurate record of every single
electrical equipment within the workplace: The serial number, Description, age
and location of each appliance. Test date and initials of the tester should also
be recorded on the register each time the item is tested.
Secondly, each time a item is tested a log sheet should be completed by the
tester including a description of every visual inspection and electrical test
preformed, together with a pass/fail result for each test.
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Who is responsible for the maintenance of portable electrical equipment?
The regulations specify that employers and the self-employed are responsible for
all aspects of the portable electrical appliance in their place of work They
must ensure that equipment is used correctly and maintained.
In this sense and 'Employer' is seen as the people that are charged with the
management of hospitals, schools, factories, hotels etc.
Companies that manufacture, repair, sell or hire out portable electrical
equipment are also legally responsible for the safety of the items they supply.
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Where can you find out more?
The information supplied here is a guide the following publications are
recommended to help you comply with the relevant legislations and safety
standards to assess your obligations.
The Health & Safety Act 1974
HSE Guidance Note HS(R)25
memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at work Regulations 1989' (Tel:01787
881165)
HS(G)107 'The maintaining of Portable and Transportable Electrical equipment'
IND(G)160L 'Maintaining Portable Electrical equipment in offices and other low
risk environments'
IND(G)164L 'Maintaining Portable Electrical Equipment in Hotels and Tourist
Accommodation'
Federation of Electronic Industries (FEI -Tel: 0207 3312000) 'recommendations for
periodic Safety checks for business Equipment'
The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE - Tel: 01438 313311) 'Code of
Practice for In-service Inspection of Electrical Equipment'
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