PAT Testing News Round-Up - Issue 19

• Revised PAT Guidance Will Require a New Approach
• HSE Penalises Electrical Faults
• HSE Reinforces Importance of Risk Assessment
• PAT & Risk Assessment Explained At Special Training Courses
• Safety Warning on Beko Tumble Dryers
• Free Seminars Explain New IET Code of Practice

Revised PAT Guidance Will Require a New Approach

The renewed emphasis on a risk based approach to workplace electrical safety testing will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for the PAT sector, says a leading test instrument manufacturer.

However, the Seaward Group also says that recently updated PAT advice creates major new opportunities for those PAT firms able to respond positively to the changes.

Jim Wallace, associate director of Seaward, says: “There is no doubt that the latest guidance on portable appliance testing will require a new approach to be taken by those involved in the industry.

“The clear message is that electrical equipment inspection and testing regimes should be based on a more focused and robust approach to assessing the safety risks posed by appliances.

“Those companies that can respond positively to the change in emphasis now have the opportunity to provide much more added value to their customers.

“This will mean moving away from a simple cost per test-driven service to the provision of more thorough support based on a more professional advisory, testing and record keeping service.

” The recently published fourth edition of the IET Code of Practice emphasises the importance of taking a proportionate response to ensuring that all workplace electrical systems are safe to use.

To do this it says that a structured approach to risk assessment should be adopted for the determination of inspection and testing intervals.

The new guidance has been developed in response to concerns that the implied legal requirement for maintaining the safety of electrical appliances was being applied too broadly, resulting in situations of costly over compliance, particularly in some of the more low risk working environments.

The changes have already led to some in the industry fearing for its future while others remain to be convinced that anything will change.

Jim Wallace says: “There is indisputable evidence that the periodic in-service testing of electrical equipment prevents injuries, saves lives and avoids workplace fires that would otherwise be devastating for those involved. This has not changed.

“In certain situations there has been a problem of an over-zealous approach to testing and over compliance with the regulations. The new emphasis on risk assessment is designed to overcome this, but also reaffirms that duty holders can accept advice from the person doing the inspection and testing.

“This is the opportunity for contractors. The key is having a proper understanding of risk assessment and being able to apply the same principle to other areas of workplace safety.

“If this new approach can be adopted, there is no reason why professional PAT firms should not continue to succeed.” More at www.apollo600.com.

HSE Penalises Electrical Faults

A Suffolk plastics manufacturer has been fined after electrical fittings at its production site were found to be dangerous.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uncovered serious issues with the construction and maintenance of the electrical systems at Techplas in Sudbury after investigating a separate unrelated issue.

HSE inspectors found live 400 volt cabling hanging off the wall, a broken socket with live 400 volt cabling coiled on the floor and fused spurs and electric switches hanging off single-core cabling, leaving the live 230 volt wiring inside exposed.

Guards had also been removed from a plastic forming machine, exposing heating elements that could become dangerous as soon as the machine was switched on.

HSE served three Prohibition Notices on the company ordering urgent improvements to be made. Magistrates were told the electrical systems posed a significant and immediate danger to workers.

After the hearing HSE inspector Saffron Turnell, said: "The state of the electrical systems at Techplas was simply appalling and it is only a matter of luck that nobody had been injured or electrocuted.

"Employers have a duty to ensure the workplace is a safe environment and this must include electrical installations, whether or not the work carried out at their premises directly involves electricity.” More at: www.hse.gov.uk.

HSE Reinforces Importance of Risk Assessment

Given the importance of carrying out proper risk assessments in determining electrical equipment inspection and test intervals in the fourth edition of the IET Code of Practice, it was interesting to learn of an incident from another sector where a company has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to undertake a thorough risk assessment.

In December it was reported that the owner of a Norfolk aggregate site has been prosecuted for failing to complete a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for moving rail wagons without a locomotive.

During a site visit to the company the HSE identified that although a risk assessment had been completed, it was unclear and failed to address all the hazards associated with the activity. Sibelco Ltd, of Station Road, Leziate, was fined and ordered to pay costs after admitting breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Steven Gill said: "This prosecution underlines the importance of companies suitably assessing and controlling risks associated with workplace transport - whatever form this takes.

"Although in this case a risk assessment had been carried out, it was not deemed to be suitable and sufficient." More details at www.hse.gov.uk.