Risk Management
Services
Electrical Safety –
Inspection and Testing
We can show you more.
®
Risk Management Services
Electricity is a potential hazard that impacts both personal safety and
property. Adequate training, supervision, and risk assessment is critical to
avoid electrical accidents.
Guidance on safe working practices
• 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.
Fixed installations – testing and maintenance
• 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).
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.
Portable Electrical Equipment
• 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.
Electrical Safety - Inspection and Testing
Thermographic surveillance
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
Electricity in potentially explosive locations
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.
Electrical Safety - Inspection and Testing
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)
About CNA Hardy
CNA 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.
CNA Hardy – Dedicated to Risk Management Services
At 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
• Our Risk Management Consultants arrange site visits to advise on the complex
range of risks facing all businesses – from manufacturing & construction to
healthcare providers.
• 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.
cnahardy.com
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.
30643/0716
20 Fenchurch Street London EC3M 3BY United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)20 7743 6800