Electricity
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (SI 1989 No 635) control safety of electrical installations generally. Specific information can be found in the IEE Regulations for Electrical Installations.
When risk assessing you should not only look at the electrical installation but also the electrical equipment connected to it (except that equipment covered in the equipment section), these will tend to be the smaller items such as kettles and lamps. All such items should be Portable Appliance Tested (PAT) and certificated by a qualified electrician.
When assessing electrical installations the principal aim is to look for damage, wear and tear and overloading or any sign of deterioration in the installation. Section 4.1 of the IEE wiring regulations recommends periodic testing and inspection of electrical installations. Inspection and testing is necessary because all electrical installations deteriorate due to factors such as wear, tear, corrosion, damage, excessive electrical loading, ageing and environmental factors.
Again a qualified electrician should carry out the assessment of electrical installations and a record raised on completion of the inspection. Any risks identified by portable appliance testing or inspection of the premises electrical installation should be addressed as soon as possible and if necessary, a DANGER DO NOT USE notice placed on unsafe equipment, sockets, lights etc.
Periodic testing should be considered:-
  • to show compliance
  • on change of ownership or tenancy of the premises
  • on change of use of the premises
  • after alterations or additions to the original system.
  • any significant change in the electrical loading of the system
  • where there is any suspicion that damage may have occurred

In certain cases there is a statutory requirement for inspections at certain frequencies. For a list of intervals between inspections see table.

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