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Each portable electrical appliance will be identified by
the BEO with a unique number permanently affixed to the
appliance. The individual sockets of multi-socket boards/blocks
and extension leads will be individually identified. The
number together with a description of the appliance will
be entered into a database.
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Inspection and testing procedure.
A formal test and/or inspection of each appliance will
be organised by the BEO and carried out by an electrician
at the appropriate frequency depending upon the category
of appliance. The categories of appliance and frequencies
of test/inspection are detailed in Appendix 1. If an appliance
does not fall within one of the categories listed, the Safety
Office must be consulted about the appropriate test/inspection
frequency.
The BEO electricians require the assistance of the department
owning the appliances and will only test those appliances
that are made available to them by the department. The electrician
will not, for example, search for equipment that is hidden
in cupboards.
It should be noted that, whilst the BEO will endeavour
to carry out tests/inspections of new (if they are a type
that requires testing - see paragraph 17), missed or repaired
appliances speedily, this cannot be at the expense of the
overall testing/inspection programme and inevitably delays
will occur.
Where testing is required, the electrician will utilise
a portable appliance tester (PAT) and follow a standard
set of tests detailed in Appendix 2. .
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Records.
A schedule of all appliances tested/inspected will be maintained
on a database together with the date, the name of the electrician
carrying out the work and the result.
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Labelling of appliances.
Each appliance will be labelled after a successful test/inspection
to indicate the date after which it must not be used unless
retested. The period between the date of test and the date
written on the label must not be greater than the period
listed in Appendix 1 for that type of appliance. No appliance
may be used after the date specified on the label until
it has been successfully retested. No appliance without
a test/inspection label may be used unless it is a new appliance
which complies with the conditions described in paragraph
17 below. Appliances which fail a test/inspection will be
labelled to indicate that they must not be used. Such appliances
must be repaired or condemned by a qualified person and
retested by an electrician before being taken back into
use. It is the responsibility of the Department owning the
appliance to arrange repair and notify the BEO for retesting.
Inspections and tests of new appliances
The following types of new or modified appliances must
not be used until tested by the BEO
hand tools and any associated leads
cleaning equipment and any associated leads
equipment manufactured or modified on campus or at a similar
establishment.
All other new equipment, because of the negligible failure
rates previously determined, may be used without testing
until that type of equipment is next due for testing within
that department. A label, indicating that the equipment
is new, must be fixed to the equipment by the department
and the date by which it must be tested written on the label.
This date will be the same as that written on the labels
fixed to other departmental equipment of a similar type
that has been tested. The labels may be obtained from the
Safety Office.
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User checks.
Employees have responsibilities whilst at work to take
reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves
and other persons who may be affected by the way in which
they carry out their work, and to report to supervisory
staff any situation which they may suspect is potentially
hazardous. These requirements form part of the University's
Statement of Safety Policy.
A simple checklist whereby users can periodically check
a portable electrical appliance visually for safety is given
in Appendix 3. Any faults identified must be reported to
the BEO, or, where appropriate, to a departmental technician,
and the appliance taken out of use. The frequency of user
checks will depend upon the type of appliance and the environment
in which it is used. For example, a heavily used floor cleaning
machine will require more frequent checks by the user than,
say, an office computer which remains undisturbed at a work
station. Advice on the frequency of user checks can be obtained
from the Safety Office or the BEO Electrical section.
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Students' own appliances.
This policy does not apply to portable electrical appliances
brought in to residential accommodation by students. The
safety of such appliances is the responsibility of the students
owning them. Students in residence will be provided with
written information on the safe use of such appliances on
first taking up residence and may in addition utilise the
check list in Appendix 3 of this document if they so wish
in order to ensure the safety of themselves and of other
persons who may be affected.
The responsibility for effecting repairs or replacement
of parts, etc to appliances brought to light by any such
inspections is that of the students.
Portable electrical appliances owned by students are occasionally
brought on to campus and used as part of their academic
work in departments. This policy applies to such appliances
as if they were the property of the University.
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Employees' own appliances.
Portable electrical appliances owned by employees are
occasionally brought on to campus and used in the workplace.
This policy applies to such appliances as if they were the
property of the University.
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Dangerous Appliances.
Where an electrician finds any portable electrical appliance
in use which in his opinion gives rise to an imminent risk
of serious personal injury to the user or others, he will,
where appropriate, remove the plug from the appliance or
take any other similar action to render the appliance safe.
No liability for loss of work/data or other inconvenience
will be accepted.
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