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The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 imposes
a general duty on employers to maintain their electrical installation
and equipment (known collectively as the System) in a safe condition.
They also give the self-employed, employees and employers duties to ensure
that hazardous work (e.g. work on live conductors) is carried out in a
safe manner.
Ensuring that the electrical system is safe
The only way to do this is to check the system regularly. Essentially,
this involves a three stage operation:
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User Checks
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Formal Visual Inspection
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Test and Examination
1. User Checks
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Staff should check equipment before it is used and defects reported
using a Hazard Reporting Procedure (See Advice
Sheet 3: General Management Responsibilities).
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Where defects are found the equipment should be taken out of use.
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Examples of some defects that should be checked for include:
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Visible colour coded wire which indicate ineffective cord
grips or damage to cables;
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Damaged plugs;
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Malfunctions;
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Non-standard joins in cables i.e. taped joints and plastic
connector blocks;
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Signs of overheating, scorch marks and discolouration;
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Damage to casings or loose screws.
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2. Formal Visual Inspection
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This is similar to User Checks, but is carried out in a formal and
systematic manner.
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It would include removal of plug covers, checks on fuses, security
of cord grips and cable terminations and looking for signs of overheating
and damage.
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It is important to recognise when the limits of your competence are
reached.
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It is essential that proper instruction provides the necessary expertise
in this area.
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3. Test and Examination
Sometimes it may be necessary to seek advice from outside experts who
will carry out a test and examination. This involves more detailed investigation
into the installation and equipment in order to confirm safety.
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Installation: This is the fixed wiring from your meter through
to socket outlets and light terminations. There is an accepted and
recognised method for establishing whether your installation is in
a safe condition and suitable for its actual use.
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Appliances: It is not always possible to identify certain
electrical faults by visual examination alone. Therefore, it is sometimes
necessary to carry out Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) in which test
equipment is used to check earthing, polarity, cable terminations
and suitability for the environment. At this stage someone who is
competent should set the frequency for the test examination.
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Competence: When using an outside contractor, you must ensure
that their technical knowledge or experience is appropriate for the
work you are asking them to do e.g. membership of a recognised trade
body such as the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) or the
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting
(NICEIC) may be one indicator of competence. You must also be certain
when employing someone with Electrical Joint Industries Board Qualifications
that their expertise is in the relevant area e.g. a qualified television
engineer may not be competent to rewire a building.
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Employees should be competent to carry out visual checks provided
that they have been given the necessary instruction or training. The
use of PAT equipment by employees may be acceptable providing it is
subject to proper instruction and training and adherence to strict
testing procedures.
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4. Keeping Records
Although not a legal requirement, it is a good idea to keep written records.
You will then know exactly where you are with inspections and tests and
you can prove should you need to, that you have been complying with the
law. For installation tests, you should obtain a certificate of compliance
or test and examination such as that laid down in the current edition
of the IEE Wiring Regulations. A log book should also be maintained for
the results of the PAT testing. All equipment subject to PAT should be
individually identifiable.
Further information:
An open learning course on the Electricity at Work Regulations (HSE)
ISBN 0 11 885443 7; Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 (HSE) ISBN 0 11 883963 2; Maintaining Portable electrical
equipment in offices and other low risk situations (HSE (IND(G)160L);
Maintaining portable electrical equipment in hotels (HSE) (IND(G)164L);
Maintaining portable and Transportable Electrical Equipment (HSE (HS(G)107)
ISBN 07176 0715 1.
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Advice
Sheet 9: Electricity at Work
A copy of this advice sheet is available to download in the following
formats:
Advice
Sheet 9: Electricity at WorkMS
Word format 46kb 
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Sheet 9: Electricity at WorkPDF format 75kb 
Advice
Sheet 9: Electricity at Work Plain
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