ELECTRICAL SAFETY
An analysis of past maintenance records can also inform an assessment. The HSE recommends that after the first few visual checks, inspections and tests, the resulting data can be used to change the intervals between future inspections. A low failure rate can allow managers to wait longer between inspections, while a higher rate of failure would shorten the time before another check is made.
In the construction industry, weather conditions on site and ‘manual handling’ can take its toll on equipment. That equipment can be, electric drills, extension leads, portable grinders, pressure water cleaners, and electric kettles. Degradation of the protective casing or insulation or electrical cabling can all occur. Checking equipment will need to be on a more frequent basis. Portable equipment and the electrical connections to them are often more vulnerable to physical damage and wear or harsh treatment in arenas like construction; compared to equipment that is a fixed installation.
“THE HSE DEFINES TWO LEVELS OF COMPETENCY FOR THE PEOPLE
CARRYING OUT PAT.”
involves user checks, formal visual inspections and testing.
A risk assessment will aid the formation of such a maintenance plan. That assessment can begin with basic factors such as, a manufacturer’s recommendations, the equipment’s age, and the working environment in which the equipment is used. Other factors can be, is the equipment earthed or double insulated, is it hand held, how often is it used and is there a likelihood of mechanical damage?
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The HSE recommends that electrical equipment visual inspections carried out before any testing should include, checks on the fusing, the termination of cables and cores and the suitability of equipment for its environment. While such inspections can tell an evaluator a lot about a piece of equipment’s condition, often testing is the only way to be sure a costly failure is not imminent.
What the law does not require is the person carrying out a test to be someone with the sort of qualification that would be necessary for repair, namely an electrician. What is important for the HSE is the tester having the right equipment and enough knowledge to undertake the test and understand the results.
The HSE defines two levels of competency for the people carrying out PAT and it is the employer’s duty to make sure that they are competent. The first level is for someone who is not skilled in electrical work. They will use a straight forward pass or fail testing system where the results do not need expert interpretation. However, the tester must know
how to use the test equipment. The second level requires someone with appropriate electrical skills who has the relevant technical knowledge and experience with testing, so they can reliably interpret the readings from more sophisticated instruments.
“WEATHER
CONDITIONS ON SITE AND ‘MANUAL
HANDLING’ CAN TAKE ITS TOLL ON EQUIPMENT.”
The HSE specifies that all portable equipment is visually inspected either every six months or up to every four years, depending on the type of equipment. Equipment that is not double insulated should be tested either after one or up to five years; again, depending on the type of apparatus. Many companies approach portable appliance testing (PAT) with a blanket approach of annual testing, paying a fee per item. However, it is a myth that portable appliance testing is a legal requirement or that it needs to be undertaken annually.
PAT should be undertaken at a frequency related to the amount of movement it [the equipment] is subjected to and the environment it’s used in. In the construction industry, a power tool may need testing every six months, in addition to visual checks before each use. The HSE specifies for 110V equipment, weekly user checks and monthly visual inspections. For 230V equipment, weekly visual inspections are required, but users should make checks during every shift.
Another common-sense recommendation is the immediate removal from operation of damaged or faulty equipment for repair or disposal. If it is to be repaired then the HSE recommends someone with suitable training, skills and knowledge.
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