PAT Testing News Round-Up - Issue 25

This issue covers:

September C&G PAT courses

Electrical safety testing specialist the Seaward Group has introduced new City and Guilds approved training courses covering all the practical and management issues associated with portable appliance testing (PAT) in the workplace.

The courses are designed to equip individuals with all the knowledge required to carry out portable appliance testing professionally, correctly and safely in accordance with best practice. The course includes an understanding of the requirements of the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) and the latest IET Code of Practice.

The two day City and Guilds 2377-22 In-service Inspection and Testing course is designed to help with the practical disciplines of electrical appliance safety testing. It is specifically designed for those with little or limited electrical or PAT experience and will be held in Peterlee, County Durham on 16th & 17th September 2013.

For more experienced operators, another two day City & Guilds 2377 course looks at PAT issues from everything from a basic electrical understanding of PAT testing to the new IET Code of Practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment. This will also be held at Peterlee, County Durham on 18th & 19th September 2013.

In both cases, the course content includes preparation for the online City and Guilds 2377 exams.

For full details visit www.seaward.co.uk/training or call 0191 587 4954.

HSE safety alert on blower fans

After becoming aware of an electrical safety issue with a particular design of fan blower that has been imported into the UK by a number of suppliers, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have issued an industry safety alert.

The alert concerns the type of fan blower typically used to inflate play equipment (small bouncy castles) and advertising inflatables. The type of fan design affected is one where the electrical socket is fitted to the front of the casing, below the blower outlet (i.e. not on a cable lead) and you can see the rear of the electrical socket & conductors.

During testing of one of these units, it was found that despite the manufacturer's plate stating the unit complied with the required standards, the connection did not stop water getting onto live contacts. This means anyone touching metal parts of the unit could get a potentially lethal 230v shock.

Owners/operators of electrical fans have legal duties to ensure these are safe and are strongly advised to bring this Alert to the attention of their competent examiner who should check that the fans comply with all the necessary standards. If the examiner finds this is not the case owners/operators should stop using the fans until they do comply and contact the supplier ASAP.

Full details at: www.hse.gov.uk.

Mandatory landlord safety checks welcomed

The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) has welcomed the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee’s recommendation that private sector landlords be required to undertake a mandatory five-yearly check of electrical installations in their properties.

The recommendation is detailed in the recent CLG Select Committee report into England’s private rented sector (PRS). It calls on government to introduce a requirement for a competent person to comprehensively review installations every five years, with a visual check being undertaken on change of tenancy. To achieve this, it asks government to liaise with the electrical industry to establish suitable certification.

“We are delighted that the Committee has made this recommendation”, comments Phil Buckle, Director General of the ESC. “We have, for some time now, been lobbying hard for such mandatory regulation in the PRS. The Government’s own data shows that 21% of England’s PRS contains category 1 hazards - the most dangerous risk to health and safety under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System.

“Independent research suggests that PRS tenants are more likely to be at risk of electric shock than owner-occupiers, or those in social housing. Government statistics also show that over half of all accidental fires in GB homes (more than 20,000 annually) are caused by electricity.”

For more information, visit: www.esc.org.uk.

Heatwave brings electrical safety danger

A loft fire attended by fire and rescue crews in the Newbury area prompted a local electrical safety warning.

A local newspaper reported that fire crews were called to deal with a blaze in a loft space among dry house timbers of a house in Round End, Wash Common.

The cause of the fire was put down to a light fitting that was left on after building work had been carried out in the loft. With roof joists registering temperatures approaching 30°C in the recent hot weather, the fire prompted the local fire chief to issue a warning about the dangers of any electrical items, or appliances used or stored in lofts being switched on for long periods - and specifically that all equipment should be safety checked and switched off after use.

Full story at: www.newburytoday.co.uk.

Electrocution danger from counterfeit phone chargers

Apple has unveiled a worldwide programme to replace third-party and counterfeit USB power adaptors at a cheaper price. The decision comes after a Chinese woman was reportedly electrocuted while answering her phone as it was being charged with a non-Apple device.

In a statement, Apple said: “Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third-party adaptors may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues.

“While not all third-party adaptors have an issue, we are announcing a USB Power Adaptor Takeback Programme to enable customers to acquire properly designed adaptors. Customer safety is a top priority at Apple.”

The announcement was welcomed by the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) which has previously issued warnings about the dangers of cheap USB chargers.

ESC Director General, Phil Buckle, said: “Whilst everyone loves a bargain, if a cheap electrical product turns out to be fake then it is, at best, a waste of money. At worst, it could result in the death of a loved one.”

'This is worrying as faulty electrical goods are a leading cause of severe electric shock in the UK and cause thousands of house fires each year.'

The Apple initiative will take place at stores and participating authorised service providers from August 16 to October 18.

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