PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Legal Requirement and ReferencesLegal 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 1989 - 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 ReferencesLegal Requirement and References

Regulations relating to Electrical Safety of Portable Regulations relating to Electrical Safety of Portable Equipment: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 TermsDefinitions 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?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 TESTINGPORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING

What Safety checks are carried out:What Safety checks are carried out:

Visual Inspection. This is the first test Visual Inspection. This is the first test carried out to ensure the appliance has carried out to ensure the appliance has no visual signs of damage and that the no visual signs of damage and that the cable terminations and fuse size are cable terminations and fuse size are correct.correct.

The insulation resistance of the The insulation resistance of the appliance is tested by injecting the item appliance is tested by injecting the item with 500 Volts DC to check if they is a with 500 Volts DC to check if they is a current leakage.current leakage.

PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

What Safety checks are carried out:What Safety checks are carried out:

Earth continuity, all metal parts and wires are injected with a high current 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 to ensure that joints and connections do not break down under a fault condition.condition.

Polarity. This is to verify that all conductors are connected correctly in the Polarity. This is to verify that all conductors are connected correctly in the plug and that the fuse is protecting the live conductorplug and that the fuse is protecting the live conductor

Load/Run test is carried out to determine if an appliance is working 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 correctly. This is by checking that it takes the expected amount of power when supplied with mains voltage.when supplied with mains voltage.

Flash test is carried out after major repairs have been carried out to an 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 appliance. It verifies that the Insulation properties are as good as it was when it left the factory.when it left the factory.

PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE PORTABLE & TRANSPORTABLE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENTELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE INTERVALSINTERVALS

Type of businessUser

checksFormal visual

inspection

Combined inspection &

test

Light industrial YesBefore initial use then 6-monthly

6 – 12 months

Hand-held, double-insulated (Class II) equipment, e.g. some floor cleaners, kitchen equipment and irons

Yes 6 months – 1 year 12 months

Earthed (Class I) equipment, e.g. electric kettles, some floor cleaners

Yes 6 months – 1 year 1 – 2 years

Cables and plugs, extension leads Yes 1 year 1 years

Extract from HSG107 - “Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment”

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF FAULTY TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF FAULTY APPLIANCES FOUND IN MASDAR CITYAPPLIANCES FOUND IN MASDAR CITY

Appliance plug condition Appliance plug condition observed observed Faulty Extension Leads and Faulty Extension Leads and jointsjoints

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 Courtyard Building Masdar CityCity

Electricity is the Electricity is the second leading cause of deathsecond leading cause of death in in construction.construction.

Electrocutions make up 12% of construction fatalities Electrocutions make up 12% of construction fatalities annually.annually.

Over 30,000 non-fatal shocks occur each year.Over 30,000 non-fatal shocks occur each year.

Over 600 deaths occur annually due to electrocution. Over 600 deaths occur annually due to electrocution.

Thank you…