SWPAT Risk Assessment and Method Statement
Introduction:
This document is designed to provide information on the procedures followed by Smith Wood Portable Appliance Testing (hereafter called SWPAT) with regard to undertaking In-service Inspection and Testing, previously known as PAT testing. For ease, it shall be referred to as PAT testing throughout this document.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause loss or injury is maintained in a safe condition. However, the Regulations do not specify how this must be done, by whom or how frequently, but most Insurers instruct that PAT testing is the approved method of ensuring this safety and at a frequency of a maximum 12 months between tests.
SWPAT are able to undertake PAT testing at various locations, for example Static Caravans, mobile homes, HMOs, small industrial premises, shops etc. SWPAT will only test items within the parameters of this RAMS statement.
Scope:
This document details the framework that will ensure that procedures are performed in accordance with the current guidance given by The Health and Safety Executive, and are designed to protect the testers, operators and equipment users from danger of shock, fire or hazard from portable electrical equipment.
Specifications:
BS1362 - Specification for general purpose fuse links for domestic and similar purposes
BS1363 - 13 amp plugs, socket-outlets and adaptors.
BS EN 60320 - Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes.
BS EN 60335- Specification for safety of household and similar electrical appliances
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Definitions:
Authorised Personnel - The term authorised personnel applies to individuals authorised to undertake testing under the identity of SWPAT.
Customer - The customer is the person who engages SWPAT to undertake testing. The customer shall be responsible for specifying any exclusions in the testing, and shall also be responsible for payment for testing undertaken.
Inspection Equipment – Any device used to test, inspect or otherwise quantify the characteristics of a piece of equipment.
Portable Appliance – Any item of electrical equipment that is connected to the mains circuit using a plug.
IEC Lead – A 3 pin lead, designed by International Electrotechnical Commission, used to connect electrical items to a mains supply, most commonly found on equipment such as computers.
General:
Data Management - SWPAT shall maintain and issue records of test results in either hard copy, email or both (as requested by the customer).
Safety - SWPAT personnel shall ensure that before commencement of any testing, all equipment is disconnected from mains supply. All precautions shall be undertaken to ensure no loss or damage to any customer's equipment.
Traceability - All measuring and test equipment shall be calibrated using a standard whose accuracy can be traced either directly or indirectly, to a national standard. All standards used shall be supported by certificates, reports or data sheets at testing, together with the accuracy and conditions, under which the standards results were obtained.
Frequency – Any PAT testing undertaken by SWPAT shall be undertaken at a minimum of 12 monthly intervals, unless specifically instructed by the Customer that these intervals shall be varied.
If any item of equipment becomes defective after an inspection by SWPAT (as opposed to during testing), it must be immediately taken out of use, and not used until it has been checked by SWPAT or another certificated tester.
Any new or replacement equipment introduced to the test location will need PAT testing before being used.
Procedure:
All inspection and test procedures shall be carried out in accordance with the instructions provided by the test equipment manufacturer to comply with the minimum requirements of portable appliance testing. SWPAT personnel shall Complete the relevant tests, and record the test results for each item of equipment. Prior to any test being carried out it shall be the SWPAT personnel's responsibility to ensure that the testing is carried out in a safe manner. All test equipment and tooling shall be available to complete the work, and shall be calibrated where required.
The SWPAT personnel shall agree with the customer a time and date for testing to be undertaken. Access to the test area will be arranged by the Customer. Any locked cupboards or outbuildings shall not be accessed by SWPAT staff unless specifically directed to do so by the Customer. The Customer shall be advised when testing is complete, and shall be provided with detailed test results in accordance with this procedure. Any test failures shall be highlighted to the customer. Any items failing PAT testing will be identified as defective, and will not be removed from the test location unless instructed to do so by the customer.
Where computers are involved the SWPAT personnel will request the equipment to be shut down by the operator responsible for the equipment, unless prior consent has been given by the clients representative for the authorised personnel to shut down the equipment. IEC leads shall be tested separately to the equipment to which they are connected.
A visual check will be performed checking the plug, connections, fuse rating, flexible cable damage and the body of the appliance.
The appliance shall then be connected to the test equipment.
The tests to be undertaken will be dependant on the different type of equipment such as:
Class 1 - an earthed appliance.
Class 2 - a double insulated appliance.
Extension leads
IEC leads
Once the type of equipment has been determined, tests are carried out by the test equipment automatically, and should a test fail, subsequent tests cannot be performed.
Following a test, a label will be affixed stating the appliance number, pass/fail and the retest date (normally one year from test date) if required.
Any replacement parts or minor repairs undertaken shall be noted on the report sheet.
If a successful test cannot be carried out, the authorised personnel shall quarantine the equipment and list any defects for presentation to the customer.
Minor defects will be rectified before testing is performed. (e.g. fuse change or re-termination of the plug, change of plug etc.)
When an appliance has failed, a label shall be affixed to the appliance stating that it has failed, the customer shall be informed so that the appliance can be repaired or replaced. SWPAT shall retain any test sheets.
SWPAT will perform all testing with the minimum of disruption to the location at which testing is being undertaken.
SWPAT shall not undertake testing of fixed (non portable) or transportable equipment, or of fixed installations not connected to the mains supply by a plug. This includes caravan or outbuilding systems that are typically plugged into a hook-up point.
SWPAT do not currently have the equipment to undertake testing of 50 volt, 110 volt or 3 phase 415 volt systems.
Inspection Equipment:
Inspection equipment is provided and maintained as follows.
All equipment shall be identified with a unique serial number.
Each item shall be calibrated in accordance with its relevant defined procedure and with a recalibration interval of twelve months. After calibration, access to internal adjustments is sealed, and each item shall display its current calibration label, detailing the next calibration due date and certificate of conformity reference number.
All calibration agencies are approved by the British Calibration Service of the National Physics Laboratory and work carried out is in accordance with BS5781: Part 1. SWPAT use CoMech Ltd as their preferred calibration supplier.
Any item of defective inspection equipment shall be quarantined, and then will be either disposed of or sent to the calibrating agency of recalibration for repair and calibration.
Records for Inspection Equipment:
Records of test equipment are maintained on an valid calibration certificate, which shall be provided to all customers together with test results.