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Risk Management Services

Electrical Safety – Inspection and Testing

Electricity is a potential hazard that impacts both personal safety and property. Adequate training, supervision, and risk assessment is critical to avoid electrical accidents.

• Fixed equipment, wiring and switchgear should be tested and maintained regularly.• Inspection and testing should be carried out to identify and prioritise the maintenance

requirements of the fixed electrical installation.• Testing should be completed by an electrical contractor registered with the National

Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) or the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA).

Fixed installations – testing and maintenance

Guidance on safe working practices

Risk Management Services

The dangers of voltage

Low voltage is commonly defined as up to 600V ac (Alternating Current) between conductors and earth or 1,000V ac between phases. • The common mains voltage is within this category at 220-240V, 50Hz (where Hz = Hertz or

cycles per second)• Electrical injuries are caused by a wide range of voltages but the risk of injury is generally

greater with higher voltages, but even a low voltage (such as that produced by a single battery) can produce a spark powerful enough to ignite an explosion

• If a person comes into contact with a voltage as low as 50 volts, they can suffer injuries, such as breathing or heart problems or indirect effects (e.g: falling from height or coming into contact with moving machinery)

• Environments with dampness or metalwork increase the risk of injury from electric shock• Therefore, it is imperative that no work such as inspections, testing, and maintenance is

carried out on or near any live electrical conductor unless:• it is suitably covered with insulating material so as to prevent danger• suitable precautions are taken including training, qualification, experience, and

protective gear• it is unreasonable in all circumstances for it to be isolated; or• it is unreasonable in all circumstances for the person to be at work on or near it whilst its live.

• Install a management system to ensure that the electrical systems and equipment are installed, operated and maintained in a safe manner.

• Record findings of any hazards with the level of danger and steps taken to control the risks.• Carry out a risk assessment to identify potential hazards as well as cost, effort, time, and

difficulty in eliminating or significantly reducing any risk.

• All systems and auxiliary equipment (e.g. extension leads, plugs, and sockets) should be maintained to prevent danger.

• Employees should be trained to carry out tests and use appropriate equipment to complete inspections.

• Inspections and maintenance logs should be updated to assist in scheduling future inspections and to demonstrate that an effective inspection and testing regime is in place.

Portable Electrical Equipment should be subject to three levels of inspection:

1) A user check where the equipment is subjected to heavy work or used in harsh environmental conditions. These visual inspections should be more frequent by the user, e.g. at start of every shift.

2) A formal visual inspection, which may include:• removing the plug cover and ensuring that a fuse is being used (e.g. it is a fuse of correct

rating, correctly installed etc.)• checking that the cord grip is effective• checking that the cable terminations are secure and correct, including an earth where

appropriate, and there is no sign of internal damage, overheating or ingress of liquid or foreign matter. This formal visual inspection may not include taking the equipment apart

3) A combined inspection and test should be carried out by a competent person with appropriate equipment. This may involve stripping the equipment down.

The HSE publication HSG 107 Maintaining Portable and Transportable Electrical Equipment, provides a table of guidance on suggested initial maintenance intervals. However, the following factors should be considered before determining a suitable inspection and testing frequency:• Type of equipment and whether it is hand-held or not• Manufacturer’s recommendations• Initial integrity and soundness of equipment• Age of the equipment• Working environment in which the equipment is used (e.g. wet or dusty) or likelihood of

mechanical damage• Frequency of use and the duty cycle of the equipment• Foreseeable abuse of the equipment• Effects of any modifications or repairs to the equipment• Analysis of previous records of maintenance, including both formal inspection and combined

inspection and testing.

Portable Electrical Equipment

Electrical Safety - Inspection and Testing

Thermographic surveillance is recommended for fixed wiring of electrical installations. Handheld and/or fixed mounted infrared cameras are used to take images of both electrical installations and mechanical equipment. From the images or thermograms obtained, engineers can determine the operating conditions of electrical and mechanical equipment.

The advantages of infrared thermography include minimising:

• business interruptions by:• eliminating the need for scaffolding access• facilitating scheduled downtime for repairs

• energy losses by identifying:• energy inefficient machines• breaches in thermal seals/insulation

Thermographic surveillance

Dangerous substances can put peoples’ safety at risk from fire and explosion.• Employers and the self-employed have a duty to protect people from risks to their safety

from fires, explosions and similar events in the workplace. This includes members of the public who may be put at risk by work activity

• A complete assessment is required to identify and classify areas of the workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur and avoid ignition sources in those areas

• Both fixed and portable specific electrical precautions are required in some circumstances. E.g. Explosion proof lighting for hazardous areas.

Remember, any repair to electrical equipment within EPS (Equipment and Protective Systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres) which affects any essential health and safety requirements, could be considered a ‘substantial modification’ and therefore may require the equipment to be re-assessed.

Electricity in potentially explosive locations

Further Guidance:Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Guidance on Regulations – HSR25

HSE - Electricity at work. Safe working practices

HSE - Maintaining Portable and Transportable Electrical Equipment - HSG 107

HSE - Electrical safety and you - A brief guide - INDG231

HSE - Safety in electrical testing: - Switchgear and control gear - EIS37

BS7671: 2008 Amendment No.1: 2011 Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition. Inspection and Testing Guidance Notes 3

RISCAuthority RC30 - Selection of electrical and non-electrical equipment for use in atmospheres containing flammable and explosive gases or vapours

BSI report PD CLC/TR 50404:2003 Electrostatics - Code of Practice for the avoidance of hazards due to static electricity

Dangerous substances and Explosives Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)

ATEX Directive 99/92/EC (ATEX Workplace Directive)

ATEX Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX Equipment Directive)

Electrical Safety - Inspection and Testing

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The information contained in this document does not represent a complete analysis of the topics presented and is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended as legal advice and no responsibility can be accepted by CNA Hardy for any reliance placed upon it. Legal advice should always be obtained before applying any information to the particular circumstances.Please remember that only the relevant insurance policy can provide the actual terms, coverages, amounts, conditions and exclusions for an insured. All products may not be available in all countries.CNA Insurance Company Limited (company registration number 950) and Hardy (Underwriting Agencies) Limited (company registration number 1264271) are authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (firm reference number 202777 and 204843 respectively). CNA Services (UK) Limited (registered number 8836589). ’CNA HARDY’ is a trading name of CNA Insurance Company Limited and/or Hardy Underwriting Bermuda Limited (which includes Hardy (Underwriting Agencies) Limited) and/or Hardy Underwriting Asia PTE Limited and/or CNA Services (UK) Limited.The above companies are all registered in England with their registered office at 20 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 3BY. Switchboard: +44 (0)20 7743 6800 Facsimile: +44 (0)20 7743 6801 VAT registration number 667557779.

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CNA Hardy – Dedicated to Risk Management ServicesAt CNA Hardy, our Risk Management Services offering is aligned to the same four principles which drive our Winning Proposition: we offer more than just a policy - we deliver distinctive insurance solutions and we promise a superior customer service.

• People • Supported by a team of over 300 risk management specialists globally. • Our European Team are NEBOSH and UL Recognised Risk Engineers certified

with specialist qualifications in the areas they assess.• Product

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• Partnerships • We build collaborative relationships to compliment your existing resources to

help you manage and identify risk across your business.• Proven Track Record

• Our expertise allows us to identify and manage risks economically in order to protect lives, assets and profitability.

About CNA HardyCNA Hardy is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets. CNA Hardy is part of CNA Financial Corp, one of the largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance companies. Established in 1897, CNA has approximately 7,000 employees, serving businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia.