| What
are the Regulations ? |
| The
Electricity at Work Regulations 1990 (EAW) |
| The Electricity
at Work Regulations came into force in April 1990. They
require precautions to be taken against risk of death
or personal injury from the use of electrical appliances.
These regulations were made under the Health & Safety
at Work Act 1974 and set out the requirements for the
safety of electrical equipment. |
| Who
will be held responsible ? |
| The
Regulations specify that employers and the self employed
are liable for the correct use and maitenance of all portable
appliances at their place of work. Employers in this sense
include those people accountable for the management of
offices, factories, shops, hospitals, hotels, and all
other buildings used by the public. Those companies engaged
in the manufacture repair, hire or resale's of electrical
appliances are also legally responsible for the safety
of all items they supply. |
| What
premises do the Regulations Cover ? |
| The Regulations
cover all premises which are accessible to the employees
and any member of the public, typically these would include
offices, factories, banks, shops, and schools. |
|
|
| Which
portable appliances need to be inspected and tested ? |
| EAW
Regulation 2, IEE Code of Practice for Testing & Inspection
Regulation 5.1 (CPITR) |
All portable
appliances need to be inspected and tested during their
working life. In general a portable appliance is one
which;
(a) can be
carried from place to place between periods of use and
(b) is connected
to a power supply via a plug fixed to a flexible supply
cable
(c) any piece
of equipment which fits this description needs to be
inspected and tested regularly. |
| Who
should inspect and test portable appliances ? |
| EAW
Regulation 16, HSE Document PM32, CPIT Regulation 9.4,
PUWER 6 |
| Both visual
and electrical testing of portable appliances should be
carried out by a person with the knowledge and practical
experience of electricity and its hazards i.e. qualified
electrician with the relevant City and Guilds qualification
in Inspecting and Testing of portable electrical appliances.
Since the person or duty holder must make judgements on
the appropriate level of testing required they must understand
the operating principles of each appliance and have adequate
knowledge of the relevant safety standard. |
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