CONTENTS Welcome


Welcometothelatest issue ofCurrentKnowledge


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 themarket 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 testsmore effectively and efficiently. To some extent this situation has been offset


by the growth in opportunities provided, with the overwhelmingmajority of organisations and large employers now recognising their statutory re- sponsibilities formaintaining a safe electricalal working environment. However, there is no doubt thatmany 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


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04-05 News News and views from the electrical sector


JimWallace 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 ofmaintaining electrical safety in the workplace – what are the regulations, how big is the risk, what is required and how can compliance bemaintained. Our aimin 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


10 PAT Selector guide


A special chart to help you choose the right tester for the job


Best regards JimWallace, Editor, Current Knowledge


10 PATWorkshops 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, SouthWest Industrial Est., Co. Durham, SR8 2SW Editor: JimWallace Assistant Editors: Siân Sweeney and IanWatson Distribution: www.current-knowledge.com Email: info@current-knowledge.com letters@current-knowledge.com


Tel: +44 (0)191 586 3511 www.current-knowledge.com 3 03Welcome


06-09 A Common Sense Approach


An overview of workplace electrical safety and compliance


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