Highly versatile new PAT
The latest addition to Seaward’s range of portable appliance testers incorporates a unique range of electrical safety tests to ensure that all workplace electrical equipment does not pose a danger to users.
The new hand held PrimeTest 250 is the first electrical tester in its class to provide all the electrical tests required for compliance with the IEE Code of Practice for the In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment – and also includes a host of other features.
These additional test capabilities include an RCD trip time test, a 3-phase leakage test and a 250V DC insulation test suitable for testing sensitive electrical appliances and surge protected leads.
The unique range of tests incorporated in this lightweight and highly versatile instrument means that most workplaces 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. The inclusion of the RCD test is in
keeping with the latest IEE Code that, when extension leads or multiway adaptors are fitted with an RCD, the operation of the RCD should be checked using a test instrument to determine that the trip time is within specified limits. The new PrimeTest 250 meets this requirement and also comes with a special accessory to allow the RCD test function to operate without tripping any RCDs in the mains supply.
In addition, earth continuity and earth leakage on 3-phase equipment can be tested using a special in-line adaptor supplied with the instrument. As a result, 3-phase industrial plant and equipment used in factories, workshops, schools and colleges can all be tested safely and effectively.
Universal graphics on the case of the PrimeTest 250 guides the user through the test modes available and a single push button operation enables the appropriate sequence of electrical tests to be activated.
All electrical safety tests are carried out against pre-set limits and a large display
area gives a clear pass or fail indication, as well as digital test result values for those that require them.
The Primetest 250 forms part of a comprehensive range of portable appliance testers from Seaward that comprise eleven different models and test specifications to meet all workplace electrical safety testing needs. More from
www.seaward.co.uk.
SoloProtect service receives the thumbs up from Community Gateway frontline staff
Faced with the problem that its 74 frontline personnel were reluctant to use the bulky lone worker safety devices allocated to them, Community Gateway Association, a community housing association in Preston, looked for an alternative solution which their staff could deploy without having to carry around an extra piece of equipment. The solution came with Identicom®, the award-winning and ACPO accredited lone worker device from Connexion2, which looks like a normal ID badge and can be worn either around the neck on a lanyard or with a lapel clip.
Purchased as part of SoloProtect, the best of breed protection services includes the market leading Identicom® lone worker device with a 24/7 manned
monitoring service accredited to the highest UK standard, BS5979 Cat II. SoloProtect provides end user training, which has been delivered to thousands of lone workers.
The Community Gateway Association is a not-for-profit community business set up to meet the housing needs of people in Preston and the surrounding area. The housing association has around 6,000 high quality homes for people in need. SoloProtect has supplied 74 Identicom lone worker devices to Community Gateway personnel whose roles encompass Neighbourhood Officers; Rental Recovery Officers; Community Assistance Officers; Customer Liaison Officers; Support Line Response Officers and other frontline staff. Measuring 102x72x14mm and weighing just 68 grams, Identicom‘s innovative technology is all contained unobtrusively within the unit. When an employee is entering a new lone working situation, they use the device to leave an amber alert message (a short voice message facility); this provides important location information to SoloProtect’s Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) in the event of a red
Building & Facilities Management – July 2010
alert. If a red alert is activated the ARC’s support staff can discreetly listen in to what is happening and make an assessment as to the level of support required – involving the police if necessary and verifying the user’s location through the amber alert and location positioning technology. In the event of a verbal confrontation the ARC can also record the conversation for future action. “From time to time our staff do face instances of aggression and we need to ensure they have a means of raising an alarm if they are faced with a potentially hazardous situation”, said Leigh Bentley, Facilities Manager at Community Gateway. “We like the functionality of Identicom as it is simple to operate, very user friendly and provides a win, win, win situation for the organisation, workers and their families”.
Last year Community Gateway participated in the BBC 1 TV reality “Neighbourhood Watched”, which highlighted the good work undertaken by the housing association’s frontline staff in dealing with problem families, abuse and fly tipping. The programme showed officers dealing with extraordinary and difficult situations with incredible calm determination and perseverance.
www.connexion2.com
EmaIl:
rob.harris@connexion2.com feature :: health & safety 19
Health & Safety
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