PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Legal Requirement and References Abu Dhabi RSB Electrical Regulations - makes reference to the need to comply with the British Electrical and HSE regulations with regards to safety. Electricity at Work Regulations Duty of use and to maintain equipment so as to prevent danger Electricity at Work Reg 4.2 – Requires effective maintenance “so as to prevent danger” Abu Dhabi EHSMS Code Of Practice 15.0 (Electrical Safety) & 35.0 (Portable Power Tools of Abu Dhabi EHSM Regulatory framework V2.0 - “Equipment is maintained in accordance with the International Standards to ensure its continued suitability and Certification is maintained”

Legal Requirement and References Regulations relating to Electrical Safety of Portable Equipment: Duty on manufacturers and suppliers covering the safety of new equipment – ref. Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1992; This regulation has been adopted under the UAE HSE Regulations. Duty on the user to maintain electrical equipment along with history documentation. Duty on user to use as intended.

“PORTABLE” An appliance less than 18kg that is intended to be easily moved while in operation (eg drilling machine, laptop, vacuum cleaner, fan heater) “TRANSPORTABLE” An appliance that is 18kg (or less) and not fixed (e.g. Air Conditioner) or an appliance with wheels so that it can be moved by the user (e.g. photocopier/printer unit) “DOUBLE INSULATED EQUIPMENT (CLASS II)” This equipment (which includes double insulated equipment marked ) is constructed with high integrity insulation and does not have nor need an earth connection to maintain safety. “EARTHED EQUIPMENT (CLASS I) This equipment relies on the metallic (exposed conducting) parts of the equipment being effectively earthed. Definitions of Terms

PAT Testing - way of proving full compliance with the mentioned regulation. A test to be carried out with all portable equipment at a specific frequency to be performed by a person who is competent in the safe use of the test equipment and who knows how to interpret the test results obtained. Most Insurance companies have this requirement for PAT testing in their small print. WHAT IS REQUIRED? NEARLY A QUARTER OF ALL REPORTABLE ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVE PORTABLE AND TRANSPORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT – MAJORITY OF THESE ACCIDENTS RESULT IN ELECTRIC SHOCK

Portable Appliance Testing in-service inspection & testing of electrical equipment. Commonly known as "PAT", "PAT Inspection" or "PAT Testing“: Health and safety regulations require that electrical appliances are safe and maintained to prevent harm to users. Many equipment manufacturers recommend testing at regular intervals to ensure continual safety; the interval between tests depending on both the type of appliance and the environment in which it is to be used PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING

What Safety checks are carried out: Visual Inspection. This is the first test carried out to ensure the appliance has no visual signs of damage and that the cable terminations and fuse size are correct. Visual Inspection. This is the first test carried out to ensure the appliance has no visual signs of damage and that the cable terminations and fuse size are correct. The insulation resistance of the appliance is tested by injecting the item with 500 Volts DC to check if they is a current leakage. The insulation resistance of the appliance is tested by injecting the item with 500 Volts DC to check if they is a current leakage. PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

What Safety checks are carried out: Earth continuity, all metal parts and wires are injected with a high current to ensure that joints and connections do not break down under a fault condition. Earth continuity, all metal parts and wires are injected with a high current to ensure that joints and connections do not break down under a fault condition. Polarity. This is to verify that all conductors are connected correctly in the plug and that the fuse is protecting the live conductor Polarity. This is to verify that all conductors are connected correctly in the plug and that the fuse is protecting the live conductor Load/Run test is carried out to determine if an appliance is working correctly. This is by checking that it takes the expected amount of power when supplied with mains voltage. Load/Run test is carried out to determine if an appliance is working correctly. This is by checking that it takes the expected amount of power when supplied with mains voltage. Flash test is carried out after major repairs have been carried out to an appliance. It verifies that the Insulation properties are as good as it was when it left the factory. Flash test is carried out after major repairs have been carried out to an appliance. It verifies that the Insulation properties are as good as it was when it left the factory. PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS Type of business User checks Formal visual inspection Combined inspection & test Light industrialYes Before initial use then 6-monthly 6 – 12 months Hand-held, double-insulated (Class II) equipment, e.g. some floor cleaners, kitchen equipment and irons Yes6 months – 1 year12 months Earthed (Class I) equipment, e.g. electric kettles, some floor cleaners Yes6 months – 1 year1 – 2 years Cables and plugs, extension leadsYes1 year1 years Extract from HSG107 - “Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment”

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF FAULTY APPLIANCES FOUND IN MASDAR CITY Appliance plug condition observed Faulty Extension Leads and joints

Inspection found that the earth had inadvertently been connected to Live on a welding plug Consequently the metal chasis of the Welder was energised at 240Vac to earth Courtyard Building Masdar City

 Electricity is the second leading cause of death in construction.  Electrocutions make up 12% of construction fatalities annually.  Over 30,000 non-fatal shocks occur each year.  Over 600 deaths occur annually due to electrocution.

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