Avoid Electrical Shock & Damage in the Workplace

Transcription

1 Expert Electrical Safety News and Advice News Page 4-5 A Common Sense Approach Page 6-9 PAT Selector Guide Page 10 Questions & Answers Page 11 Issue 5 Nov 2011 Avoid Electrical Shock & Damage in the Workplace

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3 CONTENTS Welcome Welcome to the latest issue of Current Knowledge There is no doubt that electrical safety testing and the PATs sector in particular faces a number of live challenges. Growth in the PAT sector has inevitably generated fierce competition and this has been exacerbated by the entry into the market of those contractors looking to diversify away from the downturn in traditional electrical installation. This in itself has put pressure on prices and the need for contractors to carry out tests more effectively and efficiently. To some extent this situation has been offset by the growth in opportunities provided, with the overwhelming majority of organisations and large employers now recognising their statutory responsibilities for maintaining a safe electricalal working environment. However, there is no doubt that many still choose to ignore the risks posed by faulty equipment and in the pursuit of savings during difficult economic times, health and safety procedures are often among the first activities to be hit by cost cutting. Where it exists, this apparent complacency brings with it huge risk factors in terms of human SUBSCRIBE Jim Wallace Editor life, injuries and damage to property. These are risks that no employer can afford to take. For this reason, in this issue of Current Knowledge we take a step back and revisit the whole issue of maintaining electrical safety in the workplace what are the regulations, how big is the risk, what is required and how can compliance be maintained. Our aim in doing this is to remind all involved of the importance of ensuring the safety of electrical appliances, and at the same time illustrate how this can be achieved through a common sense approach involving realistic and adequate precautions. As always, we hope you find the articles useful and we d welcome your views on anything of interest Best regards Jim Wallace, Editor, Current Knowledge Expert PAT & 17th Edition news and advice For a free subscription to future issues of Current Knowledge please us your details at subscriptions@current-knowledge.com 03 Welcome News News and views from the electrical sector A Common Sense Approach An overview of workplace electrical safety and compliance 10 PAT Selector guide A special chart to help you choose the right tester for the job 10 PAT Workshops Sign up for your free place. 11 Question Time Bob answers the latest readers questions on a range of electrical safety matters. Publisher: Seaward, Bracken Hill, South West Industrial Est., Co. Durham, SR8 2SW Editor: Jim Wallace Assistant Editors: Siân Sweeney and Ian Watson Distribution: info@current-knowledge.com letters@current-knowledge.com Tel: +44 (0)

4 NEWS Seaward PAT technology boosts Hawkesworth growth Investment in new test instrumentation is helping one of the UK s leading providers of portable appliance testing services to expand its operations and services to customers. Hawkesworth Appliance Testing has equipped its entire network of test engineers with new Seaward PrimeTest 250 portable appliance testers as part of an investment strategy to ensure that clients meet their safety testing responsibilities as costeffectively and efficiently as possible. Hawkesworth has 110 test engineers carrying out over 11 million PAT tests at over customer locations and has become the largest independent PAT testing company in the UK and Ireland. The introduction of Seaward PrimeTest 250s across the company s national electrical safety testing network has now been completed as part of an investment strategy aimed at improving working efficiencies and productivity. The handheld PrimeTest 250 is a comprehensive PAT tester that includes all of the electrical safety tests required to meet the IEE Code of Practice including RCD trip time, protective conductor current and touch current. As part of its all round test capability the unit also includes a 250V DC insulation test for testing sensitive electrical appliances and surge protected leads, and can also be used to test 3 phase industrial plant and equipment with the use of a special adaptor. The unique range of tests incorporated in this lightweight and highly versatile instrument means that most workplace appliances can be tested using long life battery power. However the capability of the new tester also extends to powered earth leakage and touch current measurement tests when required. Ross Maddock Senior Operations Manager for Hawkesworth said: In an ever changing economic climate investment in new technology is imperative to stay at the forefront of the PAT sector. We work closely with clients to help them keep their businesses running safely by carrying out the appropriate tests at the right time and by giving them professional advice on risk management. Our responsibility to clients extends to ensuring that the tests are carried out as efficiently as possible but without any compromise on the validity or integrity of the testing process. The PrimeTest 250 helps Hawkesworth fulfil this requirement by providing a versatile and lightweight PAT test solution for the wide variety of electrical appliances and equipment used in all commercial and industrial workplaces. 4 Managing health and safety issues The British Safety Council has launched in their workplace. an e-learning version of the well This course, which can be completed in established IOSH Managing Safely 24 hours, includes an introduction to course. health and safety management, the The course, which is intended for identification of hazards, assessing and managers and supervisors in allorganis controlling risks, understanding your responsibilities, investigating accidents and tions across all sectors, provides delegates with sufficient knowledge to be incidents and measuring performance. able to manage health and safety issues More details at

5 NEWS HSE amends incident reporting rules Businesses have been reminded by the HSE that new incident reporting arrangements are being introduced as part of the RIDDOR requirements. Only fatal and major injuries and incidents will be able to be reported by phone to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), with all other work-related injuries and incidents reportable under RIDDOR to be reported via one of a suite of seven online forms available on HSE's website. Trevor Carlile, HSE's Director of Strategy said: "This should not be a significant change for many, as more than half of reportable injuries are already notified to HSE through the website. The new forms are intuitive and quick and easy to complete. The most important thing is that there will still be somebody at the end of the phone to assist those who are reporting a traumatic event that has resulted in a death or major injury. More details at The future of electrical contracting The NICEIC and the ECA have jointly produced their 2021 Vision: The Future of the Electrical Contracting Industry. This major research provides a long term vision of the industry and is based on a survey of 1,000 trade respondents. At a time when many contractors are recovering from recession and concentrating on survival, the ECA and NICEIC wanted to help the industry to see past the short term and prepare for the next stage of their development. The survey found that there are many perceived threats to the industry but also many opportunities including opportunities in the drive for a low carbon economy. It also highlighted that those contractors who are willing to develop and learn new skills will grow and thrive. The drive for sustainability in all areas of UK life will change the shape of the wider construction industry as well as the electrical contracting industry. The shift away from new build to refurbishment and renovation, the use of more sophisticated, integrated systems and the need, which has been recognised by the Government, for training to ensure that trades have the skills to help the UK work towards the sustainable vision. To read 2021 Vision visit or Hazards in the kitchen Earlier this year the Electrical Safety Council highlighted how dirty and chaotic kitchens are not just a health hazard they can also be a fire risk with almost 13,000 fires each year arising from the misuse of, and faults with, electrical cooking appliances. In particular the ESC warned that over half of all accidental fires in UK homes that s more than 20,000 per year - are caused by people s casual attitude to electrical safety and misuse of electrical appliances. In our opinion which is shared by the fire and rescue professionals we consulted - a considerable number of kitchen fires occur through a casual attitude to cleaning and safety in kitchens, explains Martyn Allen, head of technical development at the ESC, And our research also indicates that over a quarter of Britons suspect at least one of their electrical appliances is faulty. More details 5

6 A Common Sense Approach ELECTRICITY AT WORK- A COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO COMPLIANCE The dangers posed by electricity and dangerous appliances in workplaces are widely recognised. 6 The HSE claims that nearly 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable and transportable electrical equipment and reports around 1,000 workplace electrical accidents each year. Recently the Electrical Safety Council reported 28 electrocutions in 2010 with 9 in the workplace and 19 in homes and estimated a total of 2.5m incidents of electric shock of which 1.2m resulted in serious injury and resulted in admission to hospital. Even non-fatal shocks can cause severe and permanent injury. Shocks from faulty equipment may lead to falls from ladders, scaffolds or other work platforms. As figures elsewhere in this article illustrate, accidental fires started by poor electrical installations and faulty appliances can also cause deaths and injuries as well as causing significant disruption to business activities and damage to premises. However, workplace electrical health and safety obligations can be fulfilled sensibly and without the need for overly burdensome test regimes. In particular, by ensuring that inspection and testing measures adopted for workplace appliances are appropriate to the specific risks posed in each situation, this responsibility can be fulfilled safely and effectively. What the legislation says Although there are legal duties on manufacturers and suppliers covering the performance and integrity of new electrical or electronic equipment, responsibility for the safe operation of equipment in the workplace rests firmly with the employer. This general requirement to provide a safe working environment is included in the following legislation: The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 The Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 The Management of the Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 However, the particular legal requirements relating to the use and maintenance of electrical equipment are contained in the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR). Regulation 4(2) of the EAWR requires that all electrical systems should be maintained, so far as reasonably practicable, to prevent danger. This requirement covers all items of electrical equipment including fixed, portable and transportable equipment essentially anything connected to a building s electrical system with a plug. Extension leads and detachable leads are also regarded as portable electrical appliances. In addition to this overall requirement, Regulation 29 of the EAWR 1989 states that it shall be a defence if it can be proved that all reasonable steps were taken and due diligence was exercised to avoid the commission of any offence under certain regulations. A reasonable approach For duty holders - those responsible for ensuring a safe working environment - the key

7 A Common Sense Approach phrase in the EAWR is that electrical systems should be maintained to prevent danger so far as is reasonably practicable. According to the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), in its Health & Safety Briefing No. 34a Use of Electricity in the Workplace, the requirement for reasonable practicability requires that the risk present is considered on the one hand against the cost and physical difficulty of reducing the risk to an acceptable level on the other. In order to mitigate the risks associated with faulty portable electrical appliances, the Health and Safety Executive s (HSE) Memorandum of Guidance on the EAWR identifies that an adequate system of preventative maintenance can provide a means of complying with the regulations. This approach includes ongoing checks by the users of the equipment, periodic formal checks by a competent person and a programme of combined inspection and testing. Guidance on inspection and testing is also provided by the IEE Code of Practice for In- Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. The third edition of the code provides a wide range of information on the tests to be carried out, periodic testing, tester competency and a range of other issues. Importantly the International Electrotechnical Committee has also now written and proposed BSEN62638 as a new British Standard. When formally adopted this document will provide formal best practice advice on electrical inservice testing procedures and practices and will also establish common guidance throughout Europe. Assessing and managing the risk In determining the need for effective electrical inspection and testing of appliances, risk analysis is the key to the decision-making process; Nothing ever fails, so I don t need to test does not constitute a risk analysis. Only when the risk has been properly assessed and understood can it be managed. Risk is regarded as a combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm and risk analysis involves the systematic use of available information to identify hazards and estimate the risk. It follows that risk should take into account the working environment, the user and their likelihood of abusing the equipment or reporting damage, the equipment construction (Class I or Class II) and equipment type (e.g. hand held equipment might be dropped and some might be used in association with water such as some cleaning appliances). For all of these reasons risk analysis is the critical element in determining the frequency of inspection and testing. How often should I test? The aim of planned and proactive PAT testing safety programmes is to detect potential problems with electrical appliances before they occur but there are no absolute rules regarding how often an item of electrical equipment should be tested. Clearly combined inspection and testing measures should be appropriate to the particular risk posed by the equipment and its environment. This means that maintenance procedures in offices and other low risk areas might be required less frequently than in other high risk environments such as factory workshops or construction sites but will still be needed to verify safe working conditions. The underlying principle for frequency of testing of appliances is therefore that the duty holder (the person with the equipment "within their Fig 1: Demonstrating Compliance Maintain Records Label Assets control), with the advice of the test company, must assess the need for testing the equipment against the following criteria: 1. Type of equipment (portable, hand-held or transportable). 2. Type of construction Class I or Class II 3. Style of use (continuous, infrequent, rough). 4. Age of the equipment. 5. If regularly moved or transported and by what means. 6. Type and competency of personnel using the equipment. 7. Environment of usage (outdoors, construction sites, hazardous atmospheres etc). 8. Results of previous tests. 9. Manufacturer's recommendations. 10. Effect of any modifications or repairs to the equipment. Frequency of testing is therefore an important factor that requires proper consideration. Guidance is available in the HSE Guidance Note Maintaining Portable and Transportable Electrical Equipment and also in the IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. Please see Fig 1. Compile Asset Register Determine environment, user, construction, type Define Frequency of Test and Inspection Perform Test and Inspection Record Results What electrical equipment is on site? What is the risk and how is it best managed? IEE Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment HSE Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations HSR25 advises that records of tests should be kept throughout the working life of equipment 7

8 A Common Sense Approach Duty of care To help meet the needs of all those who need to maintain electrically safe working environments, many field service organisations and contracting companies have set up specialist portable appliance testing operations. Other organisations have introduced inhouse testing protocols managed by maintenance managers, safety engineers, site electricians or facilities management personnel. In all cases, however the electrical inspection and testing procedures are implemented, the EAWR require that the work is carried out by a competent person. The IEE Code of Practice provides further clarification in this respect by advising that the competent person should possess sufficient technical electrical knowledge or experience to be capable of ensuring that injury is prevented. This is an important point in relation to duty of care obligations; legal responsibilities of the duty holder in this respect may only be discharged with the certainty that whoever is carrying out the testing is fully competent to do so. Where electrical safety is concerned, there is no room for taking risks or adopting dangerous cost cutting practices. However if some common sense principles are adopted, then, rather than exposing workers and premises to an increased risk, a future based on a reasonable and pragmatic approach to electrical testing ensure the safety and benefit of all involved. H.S.E Statistics Charts For Reported Accidents in the Workplace H.S.E RIDDOR figure Fatal injuries H.S.E RIDDOR figure Non-Fatal injuries Members of the plublic Self employed Employee Self employed Employee Number Number / / / / / / / /09p* / / / / / / / /09p* Year Year 2009/10(p) figures: Employees =3, Selfemployed = 0, No figures for members of the public provided 2009/10(p) figures: Employees =73, Selfemployed = 10, No figures for members of the public provided H.S.E RIDDOR figure Over 3 day injuries H.S.E RIDDOR figure Non-Fatal to members of the public Self employed Employee Employee Number Number / / / / / / / /09p* / / / / / / / /09p* Year Year 2009/10(p) figures: Employees =281, Selfemployed = 7, 2009/10(p) - no figure available 8

9 A Common Sense Approach Causes of accidental fires in buildings other than dwellings Information from annual UK Fire Statistics 2000 to ,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 Faulty Fuel Supplies Faulty Appliances & Leads Misuse of Equipment or Appliances Chip / Fat Pan Fires Playing with Fire Careless Handling of Fires or Hot Substances Placing Articles too Close to Heat Other Accidental Unspecified Cause Since 2005 this information has not been provided on the same basis. Nevertheless successive annual UK Fire statistics show that faulty appliances and leads continues to pose a growing problem as the main cause of accidental fires in other (non dwelling) buildings rising from 26% of all such fires in 2000 to 34% in 2008 (the last year for which figures are available) Total of 23,800 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings leads which represented 26% of all such fires a total of 6,200 fires 2001 Total of 23,800 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings leads which represented 26% of all such fires a total of 6,300 fires 2002 Total of 22,700 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings leads which represented 28% of all such fires a total of 6,400 fires 2003 Total of 23,100 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings leads which represented 28% of all such fires a total of 6,450 fires 2004 Total of 21,500 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings. leads which represented 29% of all such fires a total of 6,300 fires 2005 Total of 21,200 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings leads which represented 30% of all such fires a total of 6,400 fires 2006 Total of 20,100 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings. leads which represented 30% of all such fires a total of 6,100 fires 2007 Total of 19,000 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings. leads which represented 32% of all such fires a total of 6,000 fires 2008 Total of 17,500 accidental fires in other (non residential) buildings. leads which represented 34% of all such fires a total of 6,000 fires enquiry@seaward.co.uk for your Free copy of the Common Sense Approach and PAT Testing Guide 9

10 PAT Advice FREE PAT WORKSHOPS Everything you need to know about PAT Testing including a background to the requirements, practical, hands on use of the latest test tools and question and answer sessions. Work Shop Dates Stansted 11th November 2011 Bristol 18th November 2011 Glasgow 18th November 2011 Birmingham 25th November 2011 Leeds 25th November 2011 Peterlee 2nd December 2011 Morning or afternoon sessions available. Register now at: PAT Selector Guide Typical Users Tests Mains supply Check Low current Earth Continuity (e.g. 200mA) High current Earth Continuity (e.g. 25A) Insulation Resistance (250V) Insulation Resistance (500V) PE Conductor Current (Earth Leakage) Touch Current Alternative Substitute Leakage Flash Test IEC Lead Test 230V/110V INPUT/OUTPUT RCD Test 3 phase leakage Basic e.g. Seaward PrimeTest 50, PrimeTest 100 Care homes Schools Landlords Hotel / Leisure industry Dual Touch Battery Powered Intermediate e.g. Seaward PrimeTest 250 In-house safety testing engineers Electrical Contractors Dual Touch Advanced e.g. Seaward PrimeTest 350 PAT Companies Electrical Contractors Facilities Managers Service & Maintenance Engineers Dual Touch Mains Powered Advanced e.g. Seaward Supernova Facilities Managers Construction industry Hire Companies Manufacturers Service & Maintenance Engineers Dual Touch Additional Features Results Display PASS/FAIL Actual test reading Actual test reading Actual test reading Results storage Bluetooth Alpha-numeric keypad Barcode scanner input PE Resistance limit calculator Automatic test sequences Recommended Software Manual Data Entry Manual Data Entry Upload / Download Upload / Download Useful Accessories Pass labels Fail labels Register of portable appliances and test record PAT checkbox Pass labels Fail labels 3 phase leakage adaptor RCD adaptor PAT checkbox Register of portable appliances and test record Test n Tag printer RCD adaptor Bluetooth barcode scanner PAT checkbox PAT checkbox Test n Tag Printer Barcode Scanner 10 This table indicates features typical to portable appliance testers within the basic, intermediate and advanced categories - For product-specific information please contact the manufacturer.

11 Question Time Need to know something? Then Bob s the man to ask. Q A What is the difference between Earthing and Bonding? Both Earthing and Bonding are associated with fault protection but they are distinct from each other in their purposes and general arrangements. Earthing is the name given to the connection of the exposed conductive parts of an installation (such as metallic enclosures of Class 1 electrical equipment) to the main earthing terminal of the installation. Bonding (or, to give it its full name, equipotential bonding) is the electrical connection of the extraneous conductive parts (such as metallic service pipes and exposed structural metalwork that are liable to introduce Earth potential) and exposed conductive parts within the installation to maintain them at substantially the same potential. Main binding connects extraneous conductive parts to the main earthing terminal of the installation. The purpose of earthing is to limit the duration of touch voltages. The purpose of bonding is to limit the magnitude of such voltages. For more details see the Autumn issue of Switched on from the Electrical Safety Council ( Q I am having a problem with carrying out an earth bond test on an office desk fan which is a Class I piece of electrical equipment. The trouble is I cannot get a good earth on the appliance and the metal work screws etc are not sufficient. A The guidance in the IEE Code of Practice is that "The continuity test should be made between accessible earthed metal parts and the earth pin of the plug." If earthed metal parts are not accessible they cannot be continuity tested. Make a note on the test record that the appliance is Class I but has no accessible earthed metal parts and as such an earth continuity test cannot be performed. Another way to view this is that the reason accessible metal parts are earthed is to provide protection against electric shock in the event of a failure in the basic insulation. If the part in question is not accessible there is no risk of electric shock. Q A Should I record the actual test results or is it ok to simply label the appliance after testing? Labelling an appliance after PAT testing is good practice as it provides a clear indication to the user that is has been safety tested and when the re-test is due. The label alone however does not provide details of what tests were performed or the safety margin between measured results and the allowable limits. Maintaining a record system of dates, tests carried out and other appropriate details makes it much easier to demonstrate compliance with the EAWR 1989 regulations if the electrical safety of an appliance is ever brought into question. be tested. Thanks for some great questions Keep them coming and look out for future TechTalk articles covering these topics. WIN Send us your questions for your chance to WIN an Ipod Touch 8GB 4th Generation. If you have a PATs question you would like to put to Bob, then send it to us at letters@current-knowledge.com and be entered into our prize draw. Closing date: 31st December 2011 Terms and Conditions: All entrants whose questions are received by up to and including 31st December will be entered into a prize draw to win an Ipod Touch 8GB 4th Generation. The winner will be drawn at random and notified by . Seaward reserves the right to publish questions in future Current Knowledge issues and other company literature including its websites. letters@current-knowledge.com stating your full name, address, address and contact telephone number. 11

12 The power in PAT testing. PAT aficionados will recognise Seaward as a powerful force in PAT testing. With over 50 years experience, we understand every aspect of the PAT process from beginning to end. Which means we can make your business of PAT testing quicker, easier and above all, more efficient. We call this process PATSolutions and it s available to anyone who wants to work in a better, smarter way. It involves everything from choosing the right tester and equipment, testing processes, using software, through to calibration services and training. And should you need advice, we offer a huge knowledge base on our website, or you could simply give us a call and chat to one of our many experts. Find your perfect Seaward tester by calling +44 (0) , or visiting