University of Brighton. Code of Practice for the safety inspection and testing of portable electrical equipment (PAT)

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1 University of Brighton Code of Practice for the safety inspection and testing of portable electrical equipment (PAT) INTRODUCTION 1. Nearly a quarter of all electrical accidents reported to the enforcement authorities involve portable electrical appliances. The majority of these accidents result in electric shock; others result in fires. A major cause of such accidents is failure to maintain. The likelihood of accidents occurring and their severity will vary depending on the type of electrical equipment, the way in which it is used, and the environment in which it is used. 2. In 1997, risk assessments based on an analysis of the failure rates of appliances indicated that certain categories of appliances were exhibiting low rates of failure and this fact, together with updated written guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) IND(G)160L Maintaining portable electrical equipment in offices and other low risk environments, prompted a move away from a rigid annual inspection and test regime to one where the frequency of inspection and test was dictated by the type of appliance, its failure rate, the working environment in which the appliance was being used, and the guidance on the frequency of testing given by the HSE. 3. Thus, this revised policy is largely based on guidance from the HSE referred to above, as well as booklet HS(G)107 Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment. The policy outlines the steps the University will take to control the risks arising from the use of portable electrical appliances. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS 4. The particular legal requirements relating to the use and maintenance of electrical equipment are contained in the Electricity at Work Regulations Regulation 4(2) requires that: as may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger. This legal requirement covers all items of electrical equipment including fixed, portable and transportable equipment, but the code of practice described in this document only applies to portable (including transportable) electrical appliances. DEFINITION OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE 5. For the purposes of this policy, a portable electrical appliance is taken to be an item of equipment which is not part of a fixed installation but is, or is intended to be, connected to a fixed installation, or a generator, by means of a flexible cable and a plug and socket. It includes equipment that is either hand held or hand operated while connected to the supply, or is intended to be moved while connected to the supply, or is likely to be moved while connected to the supply. 6. Though there are no universally accepted definitions of what is meant by portable electrical equipment, the definition given in paragraph 6 indicates the types of equipment covered by this policy document, the supply to being at a voltage which can potentially result in risk of fatal electric shock to any person, ie when it is more than 50V ac or 120V dc. Extension leads, plugs and sockets, and cord sets which supply portable equipment are classed as portable equipment since they operate in the same environment and are subject to the same use as the equipment they serve. 1 of 12

2 CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF THE EQUIPMENT 7. The reason for distinguishing between portable equipment and fixed equipment is that the electrical connections to portable equipment (eg the plug and flexible cable and its terminations) are likely to be subjected to, and more vulnerable to, physical damage and wear or harsh treatment, when in use, than is equipment which forms part of the fixed installation. The fixed installation is usually provided with a significant degree of protection against damage by the fabric of the building or fixed enclosure. 8. Equipment which is held by hand or handled when switched on will present a greater degree of risk because, if it does develop a dangerous fault, then the person holding it will almost certainly receive an electric shock. 9. For safety reasons some electrical equipment relies on the metallic (exposed conducting) parts of being effectively earthed (Class I type). If this earth connection is lost there is a possibility of the exterior of becoming live with a potentially fatal result. Anyone touching live metal will receive an electric shock. Another design of electrical equipment (Class II), which includes double insulated equipment (marked ), is constructed with high integrity insulation and does not have or need an earth connection in order to maintain safety. 10. The risk of receiving an electric shock will be greater when the user of portable electrical equipment is standing on the ground outside or a concrete floor, scaffolding or similar which is a good conductor, than if standing on a wooden floor or dry carpet and not in contact with earthed metal work. No appliance may be used outside a building unless the supply is via a residual current device or isolating transformer. IDENTIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT 11. Each portable electrical appliance will be identified by each department with a unique number permanently affixed to the appliance. The individual sockets of multi-socket boards/blocks and extension leads will be individually identified. The number together with a description of the appliance will be entered into a database. INSPECTION AND TESTING PROCEDURE 12. A formal test and/or inspection of each appliance will be organised by each department and carried out by an electrical contractor/competent person at the appropriate frequency depending upon the category of appliance. The categories of appliance and frequencies of test/inspection are detailed in Appendix 1. If an appliance does not fall within one of the categories listed, the Health and Safety Department must be consulted about the appropriate test/inspection frequency. The electrical contractor/competent person will require the assistance of members of the department owning the appliances and will only test those appliances that are made available to them by the department. The electrical contractor/competent person will not, for example, search for equipment that is hidden in cupboards. It should be noted that, whilst the electrical contractor/competent person will endeavour to carry out tests/inspections of new (if they are a type that requires testing - see paragraph 17), missed or repaired appliances speedily, this cannot be at the expense of the overall testing/inspection programme and inevitably delays will occur. 13. Where testing is required, the electrician will utilise a portable appliance tester (PAT) and follow a standard set of tests detailed in Appendix Persons carrying out testing of portable electrical equipment should be trained for the work they are to undertake. It is the Head of Department s duty to ensure that they are competent for the work they are to carry out. Basically, there are two levels of competency. 2 of 12

3 a) The first is where a person not skilled in electrical work routinely uses a simple 'pass/fail' type of portable appliance tester (PAT), where no interpretation of reading is necessary. The person would, of course, need to know how to use the PAT correctly. Providing the appropriate test procedures are rigorously followed and acceptance criteria are clearly defined, this routine can be straightforward. b) The second is where a person with certain electrical skills uses a more sophisticated instrument which gives actual readings which require interpretation. Such person would need to be competent through technical knowledge or experience, related to the type of work. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE 15. The standard PAT contains no user serviceable parts. Maintenance should be confined to ensuring that the unit is kept clean, dry and undamaged. The unit should be regularly inspected for physical damage and returned for service if damage is found. All connection leads should be regularly checked and should be replaced if damaged. All PATs require calibrating annually by the manufacturer. RECORDS 16. A schedule of all appliances tested/inspected will be maintained on a database together with the date, the name of the person carrying out the work and the result. LABELLING OF APPLIANCES 17. Each appliance will be labelled after a successful test/inspection to indicate the date after which it must not be used unless retested. The period between the date of test and the date written on the label must not be greater than the period listed in Appendix 1 for that type of appliance. No appliance may be used after the date specified on the label until it has been successfully retested. No appliance without a test/inspection label may be used unless it is a new appliance which complies with the conditions described in paragraph 17 below. Appliances which fail a test/inspection will be labelled to indicate that they must not be used. Such appliances must be repaired or condemned by a qualified person and retested by an electrician before being taken back into use. It is the responsibility of the Department owning the appliance to arrange repair and notify the electrical contractor/competent person for retesting. INSPECTIONS AND TESTS OF NEW APPLIANCES 18. The following types of new or modified appliances must not be used until tested by an electrical contractor/competent person: (a) (b) (c) (d) hand tools and any associated leads cleaning equipment and any associated leads equipment manufactured or modified within the University or at a similar establishment second hand equipment purchased by the University or given to the University. All other new equipment, because of the negligible failure rates previously determined, may be used without testing until that type of equipment is next due for testing within that department. A label, indicating that is new, must be fixed to by the department and the date by which it must be tested written on the label. This date will be the same as that written on the labels fixed to other departmental equipment of a similar type that has been tested. USER CHECKS 19. Employees have responsibilities whilst at work to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by the way in which they carry out their work, and to report to their line manager any situation which they may suspect is potentially hazardous. These requirements form part of the University s Statement of Safety Policy. 3 of 12

4 20. A simple checklist whereby users can periodically check a portable electrical appliance visually for safety is given in Appendix 3. Any faults identified must be reported to the electrical contractor/competent person, or, where appropriate, to a departmental technician, and the appliance taken out of use. The frequency of user checks will depend upon the type of appliance and the environment in which it is used. For example, a heavily used floor cleaning machine will require more frequent checks by the user than, say, an office computer which remains undisturbed at a work station. Advice on the frequency of user checks can be obtained from the Health and Safety Department. STUDENTS OWN APPLIANCES 21. This policy does not apply to portable electrical appliances brought in to residential accommodation by students. The safety of such appliances is the responsibility of the students owning them. Students in residence will be provided with written information on the safe use of such appliances on first taking up residence and may in addition utilise the check list in Appendix 3 of this document if they so wish in order to ensure the safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected. 22. The responsibility for effecting repairs or replacement of parts, etc to appliances brought to light by any such inspections is that of the students. 23. Portable electrical appliances owned by students are occasionally brought into the University and used as part of their academic work in departments. This policy applies to such appliances as if they were the property of the University. EMPLOYEES OWN APPLIANCES 24. Portable electrical appliances owned by employees are occasionally brought into the University and used in the workplace. This policy applies to such appliances as if they were the property of the University. DANGEROUS APPLIANCES 25. Where an electrical contractor/competent person finds any portable electrical appliance in use which in his opinion gives rise to an imminent risk of serious personal injury to the user or others, he will, where appropriate, remove the plug from the appliance or take any other similar action to render the appliance safe. No liability for loss of work/data or other inconvenience will be accepted. 4 of 12

5 FREQUENCY AND TYPE OF INSPECTION AND TESTING OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES In the table below : = Combined Inspection and Test FV = Formal Visual inspection only Appendix 1 Type of Appliance Double Insulated Appliances Earthed Appliances Maximum period between tests (months) Type of Inspection & Test Maximum period between tests (months) Type of Inspection & Test Adapter frequency of that it is connected to if there is a reasonable expectation that is unlikely to be moved frequency of the equipment that it is connected to if there is a reasonable expectation that the equipment is unlikely to be moved Air Compressor 48 FV 12 Angle Grinder 12 FV 12 Answering Machine or Fax 48 FV 48 Battery Charger 48 FV 12 Beer Pump 48 FV 12 Blender 48 FV 12 Burnisher 6 FV 6 C.D. Player 48 FV 48 Camcorder 12 FV 12 Camera 12 FV 12 Cash Till 48 FV 12 Cassette Player 48 FV 48 Centrifuge 48 FV 12 5 of 12

6 Computer 48 FV 48 Computer Lead 48 FV 48 Creda Corvette 48 FV 12 Dishwasher 48 FV 12 Disc Drive 48 FV 48 Drill 12 FV 12 Drinks Cooler 48 FV 12 Electronic Instrument 48 FV 12 Enlarger 48 FV 12 Extension 1/3 way frequency of that it is connected to if there is a reasonable expectation that is unlikely to be moved frequency of the equipment that it is connected to if there is a reasonable expectation that the equipment is unlikely to be moved Extension 4+ way frequency of that it is connected to if there is a reasonable expectation that is unlikely to be moved frequency of the equipment that it is connected to if there is a reasonable expectation that the equipment is unlikely to be moved Fan 48 FV 12 Food Mixer 48 FV 12 Fridge Freezer 48 FV 12 Games Machines 6 FV 6 Glass Washer 48 FV 12 Grinder 12 FV 12 Hair Dryer 12 FV 12 6 of 12

7 Heater Room 48 FV 12 Heater Wall 48 FV 12 Henry Vacuum 12 FV 12 Hot Air Gun 12 FV 12 Hotplate 48 FV 12 Humidifier 48 FV 12 Ice Maker 48 FV 12 Iron 12 FV 12 Jigsaw 12 FV 12 Kettle 48 FV 12 Kettle Lead 48 FV 12 Knife 48 FV 12 Lamp desk 48 FV 12 Lathe Light 48 FV 12 Lead frequency of that it is connected to if there is a reasonable expectation that is unlikely to be moved frequency of the equipment that it is connected to if there is a reasonable expectation that the equipment is unlikely to be moved Lighting Rig 48 FV 12 Magnetic Stirrer 48 FV 12 Meter 48 FV 12 Microscope 12 FV 12 Microscope Lamp 12 FV 12 Microwave 48 FV 12 Miscellaneous Items 12 FV 12 Modem 48 FV 48 7 of 12

8 NV 250 Cleaner 12 FV 12 Oscilloscope 48 FV 12 Oven 48 FV 12 Overhead Projector 48 FV 12 Perculator 48 FV 12 Photo Copier 48 FV 48 Pirani Gauge 12 FV 12 Power Supply 48 FV 12 Printer 48 FV 48 Printer Lead 48 FV 48 Pump 48 FV 12 Radio 48 FV 12 Sander 12 FV 12 Signal Generator 48 FV 12 Slide Projector 12 FV 12 Soldering Iron 12 FV 12 Solenoid Valve 48 FV 12 Spectrometer 48 FV 12 Stereo 48 FV 48 Still 48 FV 12 Sunbed 48 FV 12 Television 48 FV 12 Toaster 48 FV 12 Transformer 48 FV 12 Typewriter 48 FV 12 Urn 48 FV 12 Visual Display Unit 48 FV 48 8 of 12

9 Visual Display Unit Lead 48 FV 48 Vacuum Cleaner 12 FV 12 Vacuum Pump 48 FV 12 Vending machine 48 FV 12 Video 48 FV 12 Washing Machine 48 FV 12 Water Bath 48 FV 12 Welder 12 FV 12 9 of 12

10 Appendix 2 PROCEDURE FOR FORMAL SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND TESTS OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES CARRIED OUT BY AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR/COMPETENT PERSON Note 1. All tests and inspections will be made with the appliance disconnected from the mains supply. 2. Owing to high test voltages, the appliance will, where practicable, be placed on an insulated surface and not touched whilst under test. Item Test Pass Condition 1 Appliance Visual inspection No physical damage All covers in place 2 Mains Lead Visual inspection Two layers of insulation and B.S. colours No damage Not badly kinked 3 Mains plug Visual inspection Good condition Correctly connected Cable clamp gripped to sheath Terminals are tight Correct fuse fitted 4 Either - mains lead or instrument connector (if lead detachable) OR grommet/clamp a) Visual inspection of panel male connector b) Attempt to open socket without tool c) Attempt to pull cable from female connector a) Inspection of grommet b) Sharp pull on cable c) Rotation of cable IEC 320 type or equivalent (BS 4491, CEE 22)* Unopenable No movement Cable insulation protected No appreciable movement No rotation 5 Mains ON/OFF switch Visual inspection Correct operation No damage 6 Conducting case a) Visual inspection: (if marked treat as item 7) Earth tester which will check resistance and pass a current of at least twice the fuse rating** No damage Earth resistance 0.1 ohm OR Earth resistance 0.5 ohm for loads fused at 3A or less 10 of 12

11 NB. With racked instruments the earth bond to the racking chassis will be tested b) High voltage insulation 500V d.c. minimum test No fault indicated after 5 seconds 7 Insulating case Visual inspection Makers double insulation mark visible Case undamaged - if in doubt, test using portable appliance tester Items 8, 9 and 10 will be carried out if applicable 8 Accessible fuse holders Visual inspection No damage Removal of carrier does not permit live *** part to be touched 9 Exposed output connections 10 Input/Output ports (where present) a) Check output voltage no greater than 50V unless so designed b) For outputs greater than 50V test short circuit current Check voltage No voltage greater than 50V Short circuit current less than 5 ma No abnormal voltage * Typically those found on jug kettles ** Portable hand tools containing motors will be subject to a test of at least 25 A *** i.e. Live at more than 50 volts when in use (NOTE: Appendix 2 has been taken from HSE Guidance Note GS23 (revised February 1990).) 11 of 12

12 Appendix 3 USER CHECKLIST FOR PORTABLE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE SAFETY 1. Is there damage (apart from light scuffing) to the cable sheath? 2. Is the plug damaged (eg. the casing cracked or pins bent)? 3. Are there inadequate joints, including taped joints, in the cable? Yes No 4. Is the coloured insulation of the internal cable cores showing where they enter the plug? 5. Does the appliance appear to have been subjected to conditions for which it is not suitable (eg. is it wet or excessively contaminated)? 6. Is there damage to the external casing of or are there loose screws or parts etc? 7. Is there evidence of overheating (eg. burn marks or discoloration)? 8. Is the main on/off switch damaged, does it operate incorrectly? An answer Yes to any of the above indicates that the appliance is potentially dangerous and must be taken out of use. 12 of 12