ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
The multi-faceted role of the electrical AE
Bill Reeves BEng, MSc, CEng, MIET, MIHEEM, Electrical Infrastructure and Authorising Engineer (AE) with Eta Projects, explains the value of the electrical AE, and outlines the extensive duties that the role demands in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
The fundamental role of the Authorising Engineer (AE) is to act as an independent professional advisor to organisations, to provide expert technical guidance and advice, and to ensure that they comply with regulatory and statutory legislation. However, not many organisations are aware of the expertise and value that an AE can contribute by ensuring that their health and safety policies and procedures are robust and providing technical guidance and leadership. The role of the AE is clearly defined in the NHS healthcare environment through the guidance in the Health Technical Memoranda, HTM 06-02, Electrical guidance for low voltage systems, and HTM 06-03, Electrical guidance for high voltage systems. The same level of guidance is missing in the private sector.
The core objective of HTM 06 and /or other electrical safety guidance publications for managing electrical systems safely is to ensure: n That electrical systems are fit-for- purpose and safe to use.
n That appropriate management systems are in place to ensure safe working.
n That the necessary staff, with appropriate skills and experience, are in place to operate and maintain the systems safety.
Criteria for, and appointment of, an AE The Authorising Engineer appointed by, say, a hospital’s Estates and Facilities management team, should be able to demonstrate both competence and experience in the role. An electrical Authorising Engineer should be appointed in writing by management. The Authorising Engineer should be appointed or re-appointed for defined systems and installations, with a single appointment lasting no longer than five years before reappointment. A person can be nominated by the Authorising Engineer, and appointed by the management, to provide absence cover or deputise for the Authorising Engineer, but these deputies should hold the same skills and qualifications as the primary appointment holder. Any person appointed – as far as is
n Ensure that candidates for appointment as Authorised Persons: •satisfy the qualification requirements. •satisfy the training and familiarisation requirements.
•can demonstrate adequate knowledge of each system, installation, and type of equipment, for which authorisation is sought.
•have satisfied the Authorising Engineer as to their competence and ability.
A completely failed bank of batteries.
reasonably practicable – should meet the criteria set out in the organisation’s electrical policy, and/or guidance, and must be acceptable to the management.
Responsibility of an AE An electrical Authorising Engineer (HV/LV) should be appointed in writing by the Designated Person to take responsibility for the effective management of the organisation’s Safe System of Work (SSoW). The person appointed should possess the necessary degree of independence from local management to act within the current guidance available. The Authorising Engineer (HV/LV) is responsible for ensuring the implementation, administration, and monitoring, of the application of current guidance and SSoW. These responsibilities are clearly defined in the healthcare sector through HTM 06-02 (LV) and HTM 06-03 for HV systems. The Authorising Engineer (HV)’s roles include the following: n Assessing and recommending in writing sufficient Authorised Persons (HV) to provide the necessary cover for all systems and installations for which the management team has responsibility.
n Maintaining a register of all Authorised Persons.
n Defining the exact extent of the systems and installations for which each Authorised Person (HV/LV) is responsible.
n If necessary, recommending the suspension or cancellation of the appointment of an Authorised Person (HV), and withdrawing their certificate.
The normal duties of an Authorising Engineer
To fulfil their normal duties, the AE is required to carry out an annual planned audit of the site HV/LV systems. In addition, they undertake assessments of current and potential Authorised Persons, and recommend them for appointment by the Designated Person for either the HV or LV system, or both, on a case-by- case basis. The objective of the annual audit is to assess and report on the status of the electrical systems with respect to compliance with current guidance, which in healthcare is contained within HTM 06-01: Electrical services supply and distribution, HTM 06-02: Electrical safety guidance for low voltage systems, and HTM 06-0: Electrical safety guidance for high voltage systems. The AE should also initiate and coordinate the investigation of reported injuries and/or dangerous occurrences involving electrical systems and installations within his or her sphere of responsibility, while the healthcare facility’s management must ensure that its obligations under RIDDOR are met.
Technical advice and guidance The AE will also provide technical advice and guidance where required. In addition, the AE will attend the client organisation’s Electrical Safety Group meetings, which play an essential role in communicating with operators, stakeholders and Authorised Persons, on any electrical issues and concerns. The requirements for an Electrical Safety Group are clearly defined in HTM 06-01. In fact, the role of AE is far broader in scope than as described in current guidance. The AE
January 2022 Health Estate Journal 39
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