PAT Testing News Round-Up - Issue 28

This issue covers:

Safety in electrical testing at work
New PAT infographic
Counterfeit products...now counterfeit electrical regulations
‘Plug and Play’ PAT with the new Apollo 500
Safety standards for landlords in Wales need to go further
NEW dates added - Free Seminars Explain New IET Code of Practice

Safety in electrical testing at work

The Health and Safety Executive has revised its Safety in Electrical Testing At Work (INDG354) publication.

The leaflet is aimed at people who manage or carry out electrical testing, and gives guidance on controlling risks and preventing or reducing danger arising from these activities. The intended audience is anyone involved in electrical testing that is linked to quality assurance tests on electrical components, as well as diagnostic testing, fault finding on electrical plant and routine safety checks.

The guidance reinforces the need to provide a safe working environment and to establish a safe system of work for all involved in electrical testing, and for those who work on or near all types of electrical equipment.

Download a free copy at www.hse.gov.uk/

New PAT infographic

A new ‘infographic’ highlights the potential impact of faulty electrical appliances and equipment. The special chart pulls together the top line facts and figures surrounding the issue and illustrates the important role that PAT testing plays in common sense preventative maintenance procedures.

As well as workplace accidents and injuries data provided by the Health and Safety Executive, there are also details on the extent of faulty appliances and leads causing accidental fires in business properties. In addition, reference is made to the growing evidence of the increased circulation of counterfeit electrical equipment and the safety problems associated with them - even Ebay regularly removes goods from online sale because of problems linked to faulty plugs.

Click to view our PAT Infographic.

Counterfeit products...now counterfeit electrical regulations

Mention is made elsewhere in this newsletter of the growing electrical safety problems associated with counterfeit goods, but now the IET has also alerted the electrical industry to the dangers of using counterfeit copies of publications like the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008(2011).

The announcement comes following the seizure in Dover by Kent Trading Standards of a consignment of 845 counterfeit copies of the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008(2011) which was intercepted by staff from the UK Border Agency as it made its way to the UK from Latvia.

Based on the retail price of legitimate copies of the publication, this seizure was worth in the region of £67,000 according to Kent County Council Trading Standards, which has been working closely with the UK Border Agency to investigate the incident.

The IET has warned that counterfeit copies of key industry publications have the potential to cause harm to individuals as the result of false or incomplete information being contained within them.

As the authority on electrical standards, the IET has issued a warning to the industry to ensure that copies of key publications like the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671:2008(2011) are purchased from reputable sources or directly from the IET through its website www.theiet.org/electrical.

‘Plug and Play’ PAT with the new Apollo 500

Seaward’s new Apollo 500 provides fast and efficient electrical appliance safety testing alongside advanced test data handling capabilities.

The new compact and lightweight unit incorporates all the recommended safety tests for workplace appliances in line with the IET 4th Edition Code of Practice. With both battery and mains power operation as standard, alongside fast start-up and power saving features, the new instrument is particularly suitable for high volume PAT applications.

A large colour display and intuitive menu-based operating system makes the Apollo 500 highly user friendly and a built-in risk assessment tool aids the user in determining the appropriate re-test periods.

The Apollo 500 also incorporates advanced data handling features that include an internal memory for up to 10,000 test records, USB upload and download to PATGuard 3 software, and remote data transfer to PCs via smartphones using Bluetooth connectivity.

Compatibility with Seaward’s PATGuard 3 software also means that complete test records can be easily and securely managed on a PC, with the fast production of reports, test certificates and client invoices.

The Apollo 500 is part of the new concept family of Seaward PAT testers introduced by the Apollo 600 - the all in one multi tasking tester and health and safety management tool.

Safety standards for landlords in Wales need to go further

The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) has welcomed a new housing bill in Wales, but says that steps still need to be taken to improve safety standards.

The ESC says that out of 1,721 domestic fires in Wales during 2012, 1,166 arose through electricity. Commenting on the new Welsh Housing Bill, Phil Buckle, Director General of the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), said: “We warmly welcome the Welsh Government’s aim of improving conditions in the Private Rented Sector (PRS). This new Bill offers a wide-ranging set of reforms for the sector that should improve the quality and standards of housing in Wales.

“However, we hope that the code of practice and training requirements for PRS landlords and managing agents – which will be introduced at a later date – will also aid in improving safety standards in the home. This is particularly important in the case of electrical safety, as the majority of domestic fires in Wales arise through electricity.”

In its engagement with Welsh government, the ESC has called for mandatory, five yearly checks, by a registered electrician, of both the electrical installation in a rented property and any electrical appliances supplied with it. In addition, mandatory provision of RCD protection in all properties has also been called for.

NEW dates added - Free Seminars Explain New IET Code of Practice

If you haven’t already, come and join us at one of our free breakfast seminars on the new fourth edition of the IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

New dates and venues added for the months ahead. For more details, or to book a place, go to www.seaward.com/seminars