Introduction
We have
constructed this Guide to help our non-domestic customers,
who have a duty of care, decide, what is applicable to
their situation.
It is commonly known small portable appliances require
testing once per year, Some are unaware what the
requirement is, or that their is, a requirement for the
larger appliances especially in kitchens
For example,"Electric cookers".
Many people assume cookers are a fixed appliance,with a
testing frequency of 4 years, which of course is incorrect.
This product group is classed as stationary equipment, with
a testing frequency of 1 year, therefore, therefore in this
example, there could be a non-compliance to "the Duty of
care"
Pat testing or
portable appliance testing is an important part of any
health &
safety policy.
The information following is intended to be used as a guide
only, to enable you to determine both "the legal"
and of course "technical requirements."
It is well known, that the Electricity at Work Regulations,
place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and
self-employed
persons, to comply with the provisions of the regulations,
including taking,reasonably practicable steps to ensure
that no danger results from the use of such
equipment.
This in effect requires the implementation of a systematic
and
regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing.
Legal
Requirements for electrical maintenance
The
Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an
obligation in the following circumstances:
Where appliances are used by employees.
Where the public may use appliances in establishments such
as dental
practices, schools, hotels, shops, etc.
Where appliances are supplied (landlords to tenants) or
hired.
Where appliances are repaired or serviced.
The level of inspection and testing required is dependant
upon the risk of the
appliance becoming faulty, which is in turn dependant upon
the type of
appliance, the nature of its use.
The
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the duty of
care upon both
the employer and the employee, to ensure the safety of all
persons using the
work premises,this includes the self employed.
The
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations
1999 states:
"Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient
assessment of:
1, the risks to the health and safety of his employees to
which they are
exposed whilst at work.
2.
The risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in
his
employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct
by him or his
undertaking."
The
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
states
"Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is
maintained in an
efficient state, in efficient working order and in good
repair."
This includes all work equipment (fixed,stationary,
transportable or portable) connected
to a source of electrical energy.
The
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:
"'Electrical Equipment' includes anything used, intended to
be used or
installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit,
transform, rectify, convert,
conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use
electrical energy."
Scope
of the legislation
It is clear that the combination of the HSW Act
1974, the
PUWER
1998 and
the EAW
Regulations 1989 apply to all
electrical equipment used in, or
associated with, places of work.
The scope extends from distribution systems
down to the smallest piece of electrical equipment.
"It is clear from the above,regulations, that there is a
requirement to inspect and test all types of electrical
equipment in all work situations."
Official HSE guides can be found from the HSE
Website
The
IEE Code of Practice gives guidance on the various
equipment types:
We
have highlighted the "Normal kitchen Domestic Appliances"
in green
Portable
appliance
An appliance of less than 18kg in mass that is intended to
be moved whilst in
operation or an appliance which can easily be moved from
one place to
another,
e.g.
vacuum
cleaner, kettle, etc.
Movable
equipment (transportable)
This equipment is either:
18 kg or less in mass and not fixed, e.g. electric fire.
or
Equipment with wheels, castors or other means to facilitate
movement by the
operator as required to perform its intended use, e.g. air
conditioning unit
Hand Held equipment or appliances
This is portable equipment intended to be held in the hand
during normal use,
e.g. hair dryer
Stationary
equipment or appliances
This equipment has a mass exceeding 18kg and is not
provided with a
carrying handle,
e.g.
refrigerator , washing machine ,
cooker
Fixed
Equipment
This equipment or an appliance which is fastened to a
support or otherwise
secured in a specific location,
e.g.
bathroom
heater, Storage Heaters etc
Appliances/Equipment
for building in
This equipment is intended to be installed in a prepared
recess such as a
cupboard or similar. In general, equipment for building in
does not have
exposure on all sides because one or more of the sides,
additional protection
against electrical shock is provided by the surroundings,
e.g.
built
in electric cooker
Assessing
the frequency of testing
The Memorandum of Guidance on
the Electricity at Work Regulations suggests
that 'regular inspection of equipment is an essential part
of any preventative
maintenance program'.
The factors which effect the frequency of testing must be
assessed by the
person responsible.
The frequency of
inspection & testing required will vary depending on
the following.
The
environment –
Equipment installed in a benign environment is likely to
suffer less damage than equipment in an arduous
environment.
The users –
If users report damage promptly hazards will be avoided.
Conversely, if equipment is likely to receive unreported
abuse, more frequent
inspection & testing is required.
The
equipment construction – The safety of Class 1
equipment is
dependent upon a connection with earth. If the flexible
cable is damaged the
connection with earth can be lost. Class 2 equipment is not
dependent upon a
fixed earth.
The
equipment type –
Appliances that are hand-held are more likely to be
damaged than fixed appliances. If they are Class 1 the risk
of danger is
increased, as the safety is dependant upon the continuity
of the protective
conductor from the plug to the appliance.
Typical
Class 1 have live parts
protected by basic insulation and if this fails
then protection against shock is by earth connection
supplied in the supply
cable to the fixed wiring. Items include toasters, kettles,
washing machines,
fridge, freezer,
cooker, cooker fan,
tumble drier, extension leads,
compressors, TV.
Typical Class 2 have double insulation to live
parts with no need for earth
connection as seen by use of 2 core cable. Items include
lamps, food mixers,
hedge trimmers, drills, irons, laminators, shredders,
heaters, radio, coffee
machines, hair driers and many IT equipment.
The
IEE Suggested Initial Frequency of Inspection & Testing
(PAT Testing) of Class 1 Equipment.
Type of premises
Schools
Type of
equipment ---------
visual inspection ---------
inspection & testing
Stationary
equipment--------------None ---------------------- 12
months
IT equipment --------------------- None------------------------12
months
Movable
equipment --------------4
months--------------------12
months
Portable equipment--------------- 4
months-------------------12
months
Hand-held equipment-------------4
months-------------------12
months
Type of
premises
Equipment used by the public including tenants
Type of
equipment ---------
visual inspection ---------
inspection & testing
Stationary
equipment--------------Monthly----------------------- 12
months
IT equipment --------------------- Monthly------------------------12
months
Movable
equipment
----------------Weekly------------------------12
months
Portable equipment---------------- Weekly------------------------12
months
Hand-held equipment--------------Weekly-----------------------12
months