Safety
The most obvious reason to carry out electrical safety testing is the fact that electrical devices and systems do degrade over time, especially when in the continuous use of a work environment. At some point this degradation can lead to a fault and an electrical fault can be very serious. The chief dangers include:
Shock - contact with a live part can lead to electric shock and burns. This can range from a minor incident through to a fatality.
Fire - electrical faults are a common cause of fire. This endangers both property, equipment, buildings and the people within them.
The Law
There are multiple regulations which cover the topic of electrical safety within the workplace, educational establishment,
rental property, etc. These include:
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998
- "Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for which it is provided."
- "Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair."
(Regulation 4-1)
The PUWER 1998 covers most risks that can result from using work equipment. With respect to risks from electricity, compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is likely to achieve compliance with the PUWER 1998.
PUWER 1998 only applies to work equipment used by workers at work. This includes all work equipment (fixed, transportable or portable) connected
to a source of electrical energy. PUWER does not apply to fixed installations in a building. The electrical safety of these installations is dealt with only by the Electricity at Work Regulations.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- "All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger."
- "As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger."
(Regulation 4-2)
'System' means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of
electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment. '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.
(Regulation 2-1)
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
This Act places the duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This also applies to the self employed.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
"Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:
(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work, and
(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking".(Regulation 3-1)
Insurance
Insurance companies typically state that all electrical equipment must be safety tested. Clearly, failure to carry out this procedure will invalidate insurance and allow insurance companies to avoid paying for claims.
Accreditation
Complying with Quality Assurance (such as ISO 9000\9001 or BS5750) requires recorded compliance with the above regulations. PAT testing and the recorded results that ABEL Technical Services can produce will help towards this.
Conclusion
Obviously, with the possible safety issues, the legal issues, the insurance issues and possible accreditation issues it makes sense to have PAT testing as a recognised procedure. Contact ABEL Technical Services for more information.
