Portable Electrical Equipment - QBE Standards-9
QBE's short guide to the concerns associated with the use of portable electrical equipment at work. It highlights best practices, legal requirements and includes guidance and further information for employers.
Content
Portable Electrical Equipment
Annually, the HSE receives reports concerning electrical shock and burns at work involving approximately 1000 people, of which around 30 are fatal. Nearly a quarter of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable equipment. Most accidents are electric shock incidents, but many result in burns from arcing or fire. Conditions which lead to accidents include poorly made connections, insulation damage or failure causing leakage and exposure to live connections, misuse of equipment, servicing equipment without disconnecting supply, and failure to inspect and maintain the equipment.
MINIMUM STANDARDS
1. A risk assessment is carried out for each item of equipment, reflecting factors such as voltage, typical use and location of use e.g. there is high risk of mechanical damage in construction environments and there may be other hazards to consider such as trips over trailing cables. 2. All items of portable electrical equipment in use, including cable leads, are logged in a register and identified by a unique serial number. The register indicates how often each item should be recalled for routine testing, inspection and maintenance. 3. A documented policy/system is in place, with responsibilities stipulated, of ‘risk based’ inspection, maintenance, and testing of portable (and transportable) equipment in accordance with the register. 4. A formal documented visual inspection system regime is implemented including training and information to help employees carry out user checks. Information and guidance is provided to those responsible detailing the frequency of inspections, responsibilities, hazards to look out for and the procedures to follow when faults are found. 5. A competent person, as defined in the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, is permitted to test equipment where it is suspected of being defective, is due for a combined inspection/test, or where competence is required due to the specialist nature/hazards of the equipment or the environment in which it is used. 6. Faults or defects are rectified immediately or the equipment removed from use until it is made safe. 7. Records of inspections, testing and maintenance are logged and kept for the life of the equipment plus 3 years. 8. Emergency and first aid procedures are in place to ensure shock victims receive quick and appropriate medical treatment. 9. A purchasing policy is in place ensuring that equipment is selected, where reasonably practicable, with the latest/best practice protections. This will include the use of reduced voltage systems (e.g. 110V centre-tapped to earth), insulation protections (e.g. double insulation), and with built in protections such as circuit breakers and residual current devices. Specialist equipment will be required for hazardous/flammable environments.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require any electrical system (portable appliances are systems) to be constructed, maintained, and used so as to prevent danger. The IEE Regulations (BS 7671) make recommendations for the inspection and testing of electrical installations. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 contain provisions for risk assessment, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations requires the provision of suitable & safe work equipment. Insured’s should also consult the various legislation covering duties where equipment is used in explosive atmospheres.
GUIDANCE & USEFUL INFORMATION
• HSE Website electricity pages: www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/index/htm
For further information contact [email protected]
1
Dear reader
Thank you for taking the trouble to read this publication. QBE Risk Management believe that best practice organisations are those where senior individuals facilitate and engage in the processes of sensible risk management. We make this document available to all interest parties in an effort to share knowledge and promote good practise. Our services are available only to clients insured by QBE in Europe. Our insurance products are sold through insurance brokers. We cannot offer advisory services to anyone else, however we would be delighted to hear if you have found this document useful or believe there are risk management issues that do not receive appropriate attention in the media. Regards QBE Risk Management Team email: [email protected] www.QBEeurope.com/RM
Disclaimer
This document has been produced by QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (“QIEL”). QIEL is a company member of the QBE Insurance Group. Readership of this Forum does not create an insurer-client, advisor-client, or other business or legal relationship. This Forum provides information about the law to help you understand and manage risk within your organisation. Legal information is not the same as legal advice. This Forum does not purport to provide a definitive statement of the law and is not intended to replace, nor may it be relied upon as a substitute for specific legal or other professional advice. QIEL has acted in good faith to provide an accurate Forum. However, QIEL and the QBE Group do not make any warranties or representations of any kind about the contents of this Forum, the accuracy or timeliness of its contents, or the information or explanations (if any) given. QIEL and the QBE Group do not have any duty to you, whether in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise with respect to or in connection with this Forum or the information contained within it. QIEL and the QBE Group have no obligation to update this report or any information contained within it. To the fullest extent permitted by law, QIEL and the QBE Group disclaim any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage suffered or cost incurred by you or by any other person arising out of or in connection with your or any other person’s reliance on this Report or on the information contained within it and for any omissions or inaccuracies.
QBE European Operations
Plantation Place 30 Fenchurch Street London EC3M 3BD tel +44 (0)20 7105 4000 fax +44 (0)20 7105 4019
QBE European Operations is a trading name of QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited, no.01761561 ('QIEL'), QBE Underwriting Limited, no. 01035198 ('QUL'), QBE Management Services (UK) Limited, no. 03153567 ('QMSUK') and QBE Underwriting Services (UK) Limited, no. 02262145 ('QSUK'), whose registered offices are at Plantation Place, 30 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BD. All four companies are incorporated in England and Wales. QIEL and QUL are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. QUL is a Lloyd's managing agent. QMSUK and QSUK are both Appointed Representatives of QIEL and QUL.
Annually, the HSE receives reports concerning electrical shock and burns at work involving approximately 1000 people, of which around 30 are fatal. Nearly a quarter of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable equipment. Most accidents are electric shock incidents, but many result in burns from arcing or fire. Conditions which lead to accidents include poorly made connections, insulation damage or failure causing leakage and exposure to live connections, misuse of equipment, servicing equipment without disconnecting supply, and failure to inspect and maintain the equipment.
MINIMUM STANDARDS
1. A risk assessment is carried out for each item of equipment, reflecting factors such as voltage, typical use and location of use e.g. there is high risk of mechanical damage in construction environments and there may be other hazards to consider such as trips over trailing cables. 2. All items of portable electrical equipment in use, including cable leads, are logged in a register and identified by a unique serial number. The register indicates how often each item should be recalled for routine testing, inspection and maintenance. 3. A documented policy/system is in place, with responsibilities stipulated, of ‘risk based’ inspection, maintenance, and testing of portable (and transportable) equipment in accordance with the register. 4. A formal documented visual inspection system regime is implemented including training and information to help employees carry out user checks. Information and guidance is provided to those responsible detailing the frequency of inspections, responsibilities, hazards to look out for and the procedures to follow when faults are found. 5. A competent person, as defined in the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, is permitted to test equipment where it is suspected of being defective, is due for a combined inspection/test, or where competence is required due to the specialist nature/hazards of the equipment or the environment in which it is used. 6. Faults or defects are rectified immediately or the equipment removed from use until it is made safe. 7. Records of inspections, testing and maintenance are logged and kept for the life of the equipment plus 3 years. 8. Emergency and first aid procedures are in place to ensure shock victims receive quick and appropriate medical treatment. 9. A purchasing policy is in place ensuring that equipment is selected, where reasonably practicable, with the latest/best practice protections. This will include the use of reduced voltage systems (e.g. 110V centre-tapped to earth), insulation protections (e.g. double insulation), and with built in protections such as circuit breakers and residual current devices. Specialist equipment will be required for hazardous/flammable environments.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require any electrical system (portable appliances are systems) to be constructed, maintained, and used so as to prevent danger. The IEE Regulations (BS 7671) make recommendations for the inspection and testing of electrical installations. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 contain provisions for risk assessment, and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations requires the provision of suitable & safe work equipment. Insured’s should also consult the various legislation covering duties where equipment is used in explosive atmospheres.
GUIDANCE & USEFUL INFORMATION
• HSE Website electricity pages: www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/index/htm
For further information contact [email protected]
1
Dear reader
Thank you for taking the trouble to read this publication. QBE Risk Management believe that best practice organisations are those where senior individuals facilitate and engage in the processes of sensible risk management. We make this document available to all interest parties in an effort to share knowledge and promote good practise. Our services are available only to clients insured by QBE in Europe. Our insurance products are sold through insurance brokers. We cannot offer advisory services to anyone else, however we would be delighted to hear if you have found this document useful or believe there are risk management issues that do not receive appropriate attention in the media. Regards QBE Risk Management Team email: [email protected] www.QBEeurope.com/RM
Disclaimer
This document has been produced by QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited (“QIEL”). QIEL is a company member of the QBE Insurance Group. Readership of this Forum does not create an insurer-client, advisor-client, or other business or legal relationship. This Forum provides information about the law to help you understand and manage risk within your organisation. Legal information is not the same as legal advice. This Forum does not purport to provide a definitive statement of the law and is not intended to replace, nor may it be relied upon as a substitute for specific legal or other professional advice. QIEL has acted in good faith to provide an accurate Forum. However, QIEL and the QBE Group do not make any warranties or representations of any kind about the contents of this Forum, the accuracy or timeliness of its contents, or the information or explanations (if any) given. QIEL and the QBE Group do not have any duty to you, whether in contract, tort, under statute or otherwise with respect to or in connection with this Forum or the information contained within it. QIEL and the QBE Group have no obligation to update this report or any information contained within it. To the fullest extent permitted by law, QIEL and the QBE Group disclaim any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage suffered or cost incurred by you or by any other person arising out of or in connection with your or any other person’s reliance on this Report or on the information contained within it and for any omissions or inaccuracies.
QBE European Operations
Plantation Place 30 Fenchurch Street London EC3M 3BD tel +44 (0)20 7105 4000 fax +44 (0)20 7105 4019
QBE European Operations is a trading name of QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited, no.01761561 ('QIEL'), QBE Underwriting Limited, no. 01035198 ('QUL'), QBE Management Services (UK) Limited, no. 03153567 ('QMSUK') and QBE Underwriting Services (UK) Limited, no. 02262145 ('QSUK'), whose registered offices are at Plantation Place, 30 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BD. All four companies are incorporated in England and Wales. QIEL and QUL are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. QUL is a Lloyd's managing agent. QMSUK and QSUK are both Appointed Representatives of QIEL and QUL.
