OHSS: H&S Management Standard 111 Portable Appliance Testing Management Standard: Portable Appliance Testing 1. Legal Framework 1.1. the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; 1.2. the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; 1.3. the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER); 1.4. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; 2. Purpose and Scope 2.1. The purpose of this management standard is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of staff, students and others who use portable electrical appliances within Newcastle University. 2.2. It does not cover the purchase of new or second hand equipment which is considered a separate topic. 2.3. It applies to all electrical appliances and equipment provided by the University and used by staff, students or visitors as part of University business. 2.4. Health and Safety Executive leaflet INDG236 (rev3) entitled Maintaining portable electrical equipment in low risk environments states that PAT includes any electrical equipment your employees use at work, whether it is their own or supplied. Any portable electrical appliances used by staff for work including personal items should be included in the list of Page 1 of 5
items requiring testing. Electrical items belonging to students fall outside the scope of PAT but some Units for example Accommodation and Hospitality Services have a policy on PAT in accommodation and other local arrangements may be applied. 3. Definitions Portable 3.1. There is no legal definition of portable equipment. However, in this guidance it means equipment that is intended to be connected to a generator or a fixed installation by means of a flexible cable and either a plug and socket or a spur box, or similar means. This includes equipment that is either hand-held or hand-operated while connected to the supply, intended to be moved while connected to the supply, or likely to be moved while connected to the supply. 3.2. Portable and moveable equipment includes electrical equipment that can be easily moved around such as kettles, vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, fans, heaters, TV s; small appliances such as irons, toasters. 3.3. It also includes larger items that could be moved (but only rarely) e.g. fridges, microwaves, photocopiers, vending machines, desktop computers etc which are considered to be moveable items. 3.4. Extension leads, mobile phone and other battery charging equipment and cord sets that supply portable equipment are classified as portable equipment because they operate in the same environment and are subject to the same use as the equipment they serve. Portable equipment also includes appliances which have been fixed for security purposes such as those in public areas e.g. kettles, hairdryers, hand dryers, lamps etc. The electrical supply to the equipment is assumed to be at a voltage that can give a fatal electrical shock, i.e. more than 50 V ac or 120 V dc. Earthed equipment (Class I) 3.3. This equipment relies on the metallic (exposed conducting) parts of the equipment being effectively earthed. If this earth connection is lost there is a possibility of the exterior of the equipment becoming live, with a potentially fatal result. Double insulated equipment (Class II) 3.4. This equipment is constructed with high-integrity insulation and does not have nor need an earth connection to maintain safety. If you cannot see this symbol, that the electrical equipment is a Class I appliance you should assume Standards and Responsibilities The following table sets out the standards that all University staff and students must adhere to. The Occupational Health and Safety Service will monitor compliance with this management standard and carry out management audits on a regular basis according to the University Audit Programme. The following management structure is provided to clearly define where accountabilities are held for managing the potential risks of portable appliances. Page 2 of 5
Standard 3.1 Inspection and Testing of Portable Electrical Appliances and Equipment As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger 3.2 Monitoring a) Robust management assurance arrangements must be in place and working effectively for the monitoring, reporting and review of activities involving PAT. b) Assurance monitoring must be provided via a range of means, such as local inspections and HASMAP audit action plan updates. c) Senior management must ensure that they actively receive, consider and act on reports in respect to PAT. Roles and responsibilities Head of Unit Ensure arrangements are in place to inspect and test portable appliance and equipment owned by the Unit. Principal Investigator (PI), managers or supervisor All staff and students using portable electrical appliances or equipment Arrange for formal visual inspection and combined inspection and testing of all portable appliances and equipment by competent Unit staff or external contractors in accordance with the Universities PAT testing frequencies. Ensure arrangements are in place to inspect and test portable appliances. Nominate staff to receive documentation on the results of PAT. Ensure any faulty equipment under their control is taken out of use until it can be repaired or replaced. Carry out user checks in accordance with University PAT guidance. Do not use and report any faulty portable electrical appliances or equipment to their line manager or other school staff. Head of Unit Ensure necessary Unit assurance monitoring and reporting arrangements are in place. Principal Investigator (PI), managers or supervisor Ensure necessary Unit assurance monitoring and reporting arrangements are in place. Review the frequency of PAT in light of results especially in relation to equipment failures. OHSS Receive reports of PAT results from all external PAT companies & monitor relevant incident reports on an annual basis. These results will inform Page 3 of 5
Standard d) PAT arrangements will be included in the scope of HASMAP audits. Roles and responsibilities an ongoing review of PAT frequencies. Frequency of Inspection and Testing of Equipment When a Unit carry s out PAT for the first time all portable electrical equipment should be tested regardless of its classification or the type of business. This initial test provides a baseline and gives a complete list of all the electrical equipment in a Unit. In reality most units will already have a regime for PAT and the frequencies listed in the table below should be applied. A small number of Units may be able to justify different testing frequencies if they have their own competent staff and evidence including past testing records. Type of business * Battery operated equipment (less than 40v) Industrial or workplaces with a high risk of equipment damage Information technology rarely moved. This includes extension leads connected to IT equipment where access will be difficult or disruptive. Double insulated (class II) equipment moved occasionally (not hand held) Double insulated (class II) equipment hand held or items that are moved frequently. Earthed (class I) equipment. Extension leads or power cables not connected to IT User checks* Not recorded Formal visual inspection* Combined inspection and test* No No No Yes, daily Annually Annually No 4 years 4 years No 4 years 4 years Page 4 of 5
Type of business * equipment or not dedicated to an item of equipment should be maintained as an individual item** User checks* Not recorded Formal visual inspection* Combined inspection and test* * further information on the type of business and what constitutes users checks, formal visual inspection and combined inspection and testing is provided in the guidance document and should be read in conjunction with this management standard. **extension leads or power cables which are likely to be used should be tested annually. Any extension leads or power cables which are kept as spares and are for occasional use may be exempted from the PAT regime provided the Unit has a system for ensuring these items will receive a PAT before being used or issued to staff or students i.e. a PAT will be carried out by a competent member of staff prior to use. Page 5 of 5