Frequency Of Testing
Regular Testing Responsibilities
HSE Guidance Notes advise "regular testing" and this is generally interpreted as a requirement for annual testing. The competent test person should be able to advise on the frequency of testing resulting from his own experience and discussions with the user or dutyholder (who may be a non-technical person) regarding the "lifestyle" of the equipment.
Personnel responsible for the safe use of electrical equipment, for example contractors, managers of electrical/electronics laboratories (test equipment and tools) office managers (electrical office machines) are each regarded by the EAWR as 'dutyholders' and should operate a routine safety testing programme.
Where an employee is permitted to bring his own portable or transportable electrical equipment onto a site or into a Works, that employee under the Health & Safety At Work Act 1979 and Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 has an additional duty in that the equipment is to some extent "within his control". The employer must, however, monitor the employee's provision and use of such equipment and where applicable, must include the items in the schedule of appliances to be tested.
Principle For Frequency Of Testing
The underlying principle for frequency of testing is that the dutyholder (i.e. the person with the equipment "within his control") with the advice of the competent test person when necessary must assess the need for testing the equipment against the following:
- Type of equipment (portable, hand held or transportable)
- Style of use (continuous, infrequent, rough)
- Age of the equipment
- If regularly moved or transported and by what means
- Type and competence of personnel using the equipment
- Environment of usage (outdoors, construction sites, hazardous atmospheres etc).
- Results of previous tests
- Manufacturer's recommendations
- Effect of any modifications or repairs to the equipment
Long Term Safety Of Appliances
The requirement is not only to determine the immediate safety of the unit under test but to ascertain so far is reasonably practicable, that the unit will remain safe under the expected conditions of use at least until the next scheduled test date. Such a judgement may rely heavily upon the competence of the test person to offer sound practical advice.
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