Archive for the ‘Electrical Safety’ Category

Student PAT Testing for University / College

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

Are you a student about to leave home for the first time to live in rented accommodation or your new University’s campus? If you are,  you may be required to have all of  your electrical appliances tested to allow you to stay at your chosen residence.

It is the responsibility of your landlord / Site Manager to ensure that electrical items are safe to use. Because of this,  it is becoming increasingly common for landlords to need proof that all electrical items are safe prior to their use in the building that they maintain.

For insurance purposes it is highly likely that they may have already tested permanent electrical fixtures within the the accommodation however you may be required to do the same for your own appliances too.

Hallmarque PAT are a friendly family business who offer competent and efficient electrical testing at competitive rates.

To discuss your requirements and receive a free quote please contact us using any of the methods below.

Telephone: 01673 860655

E-mail: enquiries@hallmarquepat.co.uk.

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Free PAT Testing Quote

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

For your free PAT testing quote please contact us using any of the following methods.

Write to us:

Hallmarque PAT
1 Phillips Court
Welton
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN2 3LB

Telephone: 01673 860655
Mobile: 0777 351 3371

E-mail: enquiries@hallmarquepat.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!

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How do I know if someone is competent to do electrical work?

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

A person can demonstrate competence to perform electrical work if he or she has successfully completed an assessed training course that has included the type of work being considered, run by an accredited training organisation, and has been able to demonstrate an ability to understand electrical theory and put this into practice.

A successfully completed electrical apprenticeship, with some post apprenticeship experience is a good way of demonstrating competence for general electrical work. More specialised work such as maintenance of high voltage switchgear or control system modification is almost certainly likely to require additional training and experience.

[Source: HSE]

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How often should I test my electrical equipment?

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Electrical equipment should be visually checked to spot early signs of damage or deterioration. Equipment should be more thoroughly tested by a competent person often enough that there is little chance that the equipment will become dangerous between tests. Equipment that is used in a harsh environment should be tested more frequently than equipment that is less likely to become damaged or unsafe.

It is good practice to assess how often equipment being used for work purposes should be tested, write down your findings, make sure the testing is carried out, and write down the results of the tests.

[Source: HSE]

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Check that electrical equipment is in good condition

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Many faults with work equipment can be found during a simple visual inspection:

  • Switch off and unplug the equipment before you start any checks.
  • Check that the plug is correctly wired (but only if you are competent to do so).
  • Ensure the fuse is correctly rated by checking the equipment rating plate or instruction book.
  • Check that the plug is not damaged and that the cable is properly secured with no internal wires visible.
  • Check the electrical cable is not damaged and has not been repaired with insulating tape or an unsuitable connector. Damaged cable should be replaced with a new cable by a competent person.
  • Check that the outer cover of the equipment is not damaged in a way that will give rise to electrical or mechanical hazards.
  • Check for burn marks or staining that suggests the equipment is overheating.
  • Position any trailing wires so that they are not a trip hazard and are less likely to get damaged.

If you are concerned about the safety of the equipment you should stop it from being used and ask a competent person to undertake a more thorough check.

[Source: HSE]

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Electrical injuries

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Electrical injuries can be caused by a wide range of voltages but the risk of injury is generally greater with higher voltages and is dependent upon individual circumstances.

Alternating current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) electrical supplies can cause a range of injuries including:

Electric shock
Electrical burns
Loss of muscle control
Thermal burns

Electric shock

A voltage as low as 50 volts applied between two parts of the human body causes a current to flow that can block the electrical signals between the brain and the muscles. This may have a number of effects including:

Stopping the heart beating properly
Preventing the person from breathing
Causing muscle spasms
The exact effect is dependent upon a large number of things including the size of the voltage, which parts of the body are involved, how damp the person is, and the length of time the current flows.

Electric shocks from static electricity such as those experienced when getting out of a car or walking across a man-made carpet can be at more than 10,000 volts, but the current flows for such a short time that there is no dangerous effect on a person. However, static electricity can cause a fire or explosion where there is an explosive atmosphere (such as in a paint spray booth).

Electrical burns

When an electrical current passes through the human body it heats the tissue along the length of the current flow. This can result in deep burns that often require major surgery and are permanently disabling. Burns are more common with higher voltages but may occur from domestic electricity supplies if the current flows for more than a few fractions of a second.

Loss of muscle control
People who receive an electric shock often get painful muscle spasms that can be strong enough to break bones or dislocate joints. This loss of muscle control often means the person cannot ‘let go’ or escape the electric shock. The person may fall if they are working at height or be thrown into nearby machinery and structures.

Thermal burns

Overloaded, faulty, incorrectly maintained, or shorted electrical equipment can get very hot, and some electrical equipment gets hot in normal operation. Even low voltage batteries (such as those in motor vehicles) can get hot and may explode if they are shorted out.

People can receive thermal burns if they get too near hot surfaces or if they are near an electrical explosion. Other injuries may result if the person pulls quickly away from hot surfaces whilst working at height or if they then accidentally touch nearby machinery.

A single low voltage torch battery can generate a spark powerful enough to cause a fire or explosion in an explosive atmosphere such as in a paint spray booth, near fuel tanks, in sumps, or many places where aerosols, vapours, mists, gases, or dusts exist.

[Source: HSE]

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How do I know if my electrical equipment is safe?

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

You can find out if your electrical equipment is safe by carrying out suitable checks, such as inspection and/or testing. The level of inspection and/or testing should depend upon the risks. A simple visual inspection[7] is likely to be sufficient for equipment used in a clean dry environment. In addition, equipment that is more likely to become damaged or is operated in a harsh environment, is likely to require more demanding electrical tests.

Checks should be carried out often enough that there is little chance the equipment will become unsafe before the next check. It is good practice to make a decision on how often each piece of equipment should be checked, write down the decision, make sure the check is carried out, and write down the results. You should change how often you carry out checks according to the number and severity of faults found.

The best way to find out if specialised equipment is safe, is to have it inspected and tested by a person with specific competence on the type of equipment. This may be the original manufacturer or his authorised service and repair agent. A reputable servicing company that deals with the type of equipment should also be competent to check its safety.

[Source: HSE]

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