Are you managing your electrical compliance?
Electrical safety is an area of facilities and estate management that worries many people, with good reason. Legislation and safety standards are complex and many employers are falling short of their statutory responsibilities. Following the introduction of the new Sentencing Guidelines in 2016 the number of senior managers finding themselves in breach of the law is likely to increase.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 state: ‘As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger’. Employers must prove their compliance with The IEE Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment for Portable Appliance Testing, and BS7671 (17th Edition) for periodic inspection and testing. Both stipulate that a system of recorded inspections and tests should be undertaken by someone who is competent in testing and inspection. In practice this means using a professional affiliated to an approved body such as the NICEIC and/or an individual qualified to C&G 2377 and C&G 2391 or equivalent or 2394 and 2395.
Licensing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders and others may require periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations (IET Guidance Note 3 Inspection & Testing). In the event of an insurance claim resulting from an electrical safety fault your insurance company will not cover your costs if you have not complied with legislation.
To fulfill the dutyholder’s responsibility and ensure compliance the HSE recommends that your first step is to assess the risk and this should be done by carrying out a Risk Assessment.
But unless you’re a qualified electrician how do you identify and judge the hazards? The easiest way to entirely fulfill the employer’s obligation is to get a qualified and unbiased expert to test the electrical wiring system in the building and the portable appliances within it.
Calbarrie Compliance Services is a market leader in electrical safety testing and we have extensive experience of working within all environments and sectors across the UK. We proactively manage our clients’ statutory responsibilities and schedule in testing dates well in advance. To discuss your electrical compliance requirements call us on 01242 587080.
