The Inspection Guide
Periodic Inspection
Welcome to the Bureau Veritas inspection guide, which provides information
on a range of services to facilitate mechanical and electrical, as well as health,
safety and environmental service compliance.
Contents
Introduction 03
Regulations04
- General health and safety
- Work equipment
- Lifting
- Electrical
- Pressure systems
- Power presses and machinery
- Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
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Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 09
Power presses and process machinery 09
Pressure System Safety Regulation (PSSR)
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Electrical
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Health Safety and Environment Services - Health and safety at work - Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) - Fire risk assessment 12
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Contact details 16
Powerful solutions for forward-thinking organisations
Bureau Veritas is one of the world’s leading professional service companies, with a comprehensive
range of conformity assessment and certification solutions spanning diverse market sectors. Our
global network of experts provides clients with the guidance and support to achieve, maintain and
demonstrate full compliance with their quality, health and safety, environment (QHSE) and social
responsibility requirements.
Our clients are progressive organisations who depend on us to deliver powerful, tailored, yet costeffective solutions.
A unique portfolio of services
Our full range of compliance related services
are highlighted below:
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Management systems and permits
HSE compliance management
HSE management tools
HSE training services
Asbestos
Indoor air and water hygiene
Periodic inspection and testing of electrical
installations (Fixed and PAT)
Examination of lifts and lifting equipment
to LOLER and PUWER
Examination of pressure vessels to PSSR
Examination of local exhaust ventilation
equipment to the COSHH Regulations.
We also offer a full suite of quality, health,
safety and environmental services:
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Vendor inspection and audit
Risk and safety assessments
Asset integrity management
Industrial product certification
Health, safety and fire risk management
Environmental studies and impact
assessment
Sustainability and corporate social
responsibility
Supply chain studies.
The Engineering Technical Specialists (ETS);
directed by our senior engineering team,
provide clients with the following compliance
verification and technical assurance services:
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PUWER assessment
CE marking
Type approval
Machinery directive works
Pre purchase Inspections
Failure mode and life cycle trend analysis
Lift management programmes
Expert witness
Technical training
Written schemes of examination
PSSR - Design inspections and repair
verification
Full details of all our services can be found on
our website at
www.bureauveritas.co.uk/portfolio
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Regulations
General health and safety
The Health & Safety at Work Act (HSAW) 1974 (1978 in Northern Ireland) covers all work places
and defines the obligation of all employers and employees to ensure a safe working environment.
Employers are required to assess risks and have policies and procedures in place to control those
risks. Whilst inspections are not a requirement under this legislation, they are recognised as part of
providing a safe working environment.
Work equipment
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 (1999 in Northern Ireland)
covers all work equipment and any activity involving the equipment – including starting, stopping,
programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning. Users
must carry out PUWER assessments and make sure that all equipment is both safely installed and
safe to use. Regular inspections must be carried out by a competent person and documented. Our
qualified team of Engineer-Surveyors are well equipped to carry out the inspections for you.
In addition to these general pieces of legislation, there are specific regulations which apply to
particular types of equipment, as follows:
Lifting
The key piece of legislation concerning lifting equipment is the Lifting Operations and Lifting
Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 (1999 in Northern Ireland). LOLER covers all working
equipment with a lifting function. It applies in addition to PUWER, to offer adequate safeguards to
people working with lifting equipment. The user is required to:
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use a competent person to plan lifting operations
ensure that the equipment is suitable
ensure that the lifting operation will not endanger people in the vicinity
assess requirements for inspections of the lifting equipment and accessories
have regular thorough examinations carried out by a suitably competent person.
Note that LOLER applies not only to the equipment itself, but also to the safe operation of that
equipment.
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Timing of inspections
Following the installation of new plant and machinery the requirements for initial examination vary
according to the regulations which apply. The prudent approach, and our recommendation, is that all
equipment is examined by a competent person following its installation / commissioning and before
it is first put into use. There are certain circumstances where this is a mandatory requirement, if you
require guidance on a specific situation then please contact us for advice.
Frequency of inspections
Lifting equipment which lifts people
6 months
Lifting accessories, including shackles, hooks, chains, fittings etc
6 months
All other lifting equipment including cranes and loading equipment
12 months
In accordance with an examination scheme
In all cases a risk assessment should be undertaken to ensure the examination frequency
is appropriate
LOLER definitions:
Accessory for lifting – work equipment for attaching loads to machinery for lifting
Lifting equipment – work equipment for lifting or lowering loads including attachments for
anchoring, fixing or supporting it
Work equipment – any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work
Electrical
The Electricity at Work Regulations (EAWR) 1989 (1991 in Northern Ireland) are made under the
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The regulations require that employers as ‘duty holders’ must
provide a safe working environment with regard to all electrical equipment and systems, regardless
of when they were manufactured, installed or brought into use.
The employer, self-employed and employee all have duties and obligations in complying with the
requirements of the regulations, which apply to all places of work, with no exemptions. All electrical
systems must be maintained in a safe condition and an important aspect of such maintenance is
periodic inspection and testing.
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Fixed electrical wiring inspection and testing
To meet the requirements of the IET wiring regulations all electrical systems, from the main intake
through to the final fixed appliances and accessories, must be inspected and tested on a regular
basis. The frequency of this testing is dependent on the type of premises and varies between three
months and five years.
Many companies struggle to complete the testing using in-house personnel due to lack of time,
resources and knowledge of this specialised field.
Portable electrical appliance testing
As part of our comprehensive service, Bureau Veritas are able to carry out all inspection and testing
on your portable electrical appliances. Results can be presented in hard copy, CD format or web
based reporting, with a summary of items inspected and tested together with the test results and
details of items that failed.
Risk assessments of fixed electrical installations
A risk assessment analyses the physical condition of the electrical installation and determines the
various levels of risk present both to staff and property. Identifying the levels and locations of risks
throughout an installation enables you to deal immediately with any previously unknown dangerous
situations. You will also be able to plan a maintenance / repair programme that spreads both the
workload and costs in a phased manner whilst targeting the high-risk areas first.
Tracing / labelling and scheduling of electrical installations
To assist with maintenance, we are able to generate detailed electrical distribution drawings and
distribution board schedules. These can be issued in any size and on computer disk in CAD form.
individual circuits can also be labelled for identification purposes if required.
Thermographic surveys
As part of fixed wiring inspection and testing programmes, or as a specific service, we can, with the
use of thermal imaging, identify problems before they cause breakdowns or become major safety
issues. In the vast majority of cases this can be done without any disruption to power supply. Regular
thermographic surveying can result in major cost savings through early identification of ‘hotspots’
and potential breakdowns.
Electrical safety auditing
Bureau Veritas can provide independent audits to assess your company’s compliance with relevant
codes of practice and regulations. The audit provides a true picture of areas where staff may be
at risk due to lack of procedures for working with or around electrical equipment. It also seeks
to establish that all relevant documentation and test results are available, together with random
visual inspections of the site. The results of such auditing can help to reduce insurance premiums.
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Emergency lighting inspection and test
Bureau Veritas tests and inspects emergency lighting to ensure compliance with BS 5266, which
comprises identification of the types of light, a duration test, the correct signage and the quantity
and placement of each light. On completion of the inspection and test a full report, NICEIC
certificate and system log (as required by BS 5266) are issued to confirm compliance.
Further electrical services offered include:
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electrical load analysis
high voltage testing and maintenance
public entertainment licensing testing.
Lightening Protection systems inspection and testing
Pressure systems
The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) 2000 (2004 in Northern Ireland) require pressure
systems to be inspected in accordance with a written scheme of examination.
The pressure systems safety regulations deal with plant containing a ‘relevant fluid’ which is defined
by the regulations as:
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a gas > 0.5 bar
steam at any pressure.
The range of equipment covered by PSSR is extensive and includes compressed air systems, boilers,
refrigeration, air conditioning plant and others. Plant not containing a ‘relevant fluid’ is still subject
to certain regulations under PSSR. To ensure compliance, we recommend this type of plant, typically
hot water boilers, is inspected also.
Following an assessment, a written scheme of examination must be drawn up by a competent
person, and must include a definition of the items included in the system and details of frequency
of inspection.
Inspection procedures normally include both a thorough examination (with the system being shut
down and vessels opened up) and a working examination of the system under normal operation.
Inspection intervals may vary according to the application of the system(s). The intervals shown in
the table are those recommended by the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed).
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Power presses and machinery
Requirements for inspections of power presses are covered in Part 4 of PUWER – the safe Use
of power presses. This requires that power presses with automatic, photo-electric or interlocking
guards are thoroughly examined every 6 months. Power presses with fixed guards or enclosed tools
should be thoroughly examined every 12 months.
Process machines with guards should also be inspected regularly, although intervals are not
specified.
For paper guillotines and injection moulding machines, there are guidance notes which recommend
periodic safety inspections.
Other guarded machinery is covered in Part 2 of PUWER and should also be inspected regularly.
Although intervals are not specified, the frequency is determined by the risk from deterioration.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
There are three sets of Regulations, which require employers to operate and maintain LEV
equipment:
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The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
The COSHH regulations aim to ensure the safety of all people who deal with hazardous substances.
Employers need to assess the risks associated with the handling and use of hazardous substances
and eliminate the risks where possible.
To meet the requirements of these regulations employers are required to ensure that local exhaust
ventilation is thoroughly examined and tested by a competent person.
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Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations
Periodic inspection
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing Regulation(s)
Notes
Escalators and moving walks
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PUWER
Inspection under workplace regulations
SAFed guidelines 2011
Excavators
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PUWER
Excavators fall under PUWER if used only for
excavating but must comply with LOLER if
used for any form of lifting
Builders’ hoists
12
LOLER / PUWER
Cranes and lifting equipment
12
LOLER / PUWER
In all cases, 12 months will be reduced to 6
months if used for lifting persons
Forklift trucks
12
LOLER / PUWER
Goods, lifts and hoists
12
LOLER / PUWER
Passenger lifts
6
LOLER / PUWER
Lifting accessories
6
LOLER / PUWER
Lorry loader cranes
12
LOLER / PUWER
Motor vehicle lifting tables
6
LOLER / PUWER
Power presses and process machinery
Periodic inspection
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
Power presses and press
brakes
6
PUWER
12 months where press has fixed guards only
or enclosed tool
Paper cutting guillotines
6
Metal cutting guillotines
6
Plastic injection moulding
machines
12
Process machinery
Depends on
machinery’s hazards
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Pressure system safety regulation
Periodic inspection
PSSR requires a written scheme that has to have a nominated periodicity for the type of inspections required.
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
Compressed air systems
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PSSR
Normally inspected at 24 month frequency
Steam boilers and boilers
> 100°C
14
PSSR
Normally inspected at 12 month frequency
Refrigeration and air
conditioning systems
48
PSSR
Steam generation equipment
(autocalves etc)
14
PSSR
Normally inspected at 12 month frequency
Steam receiving plant
26
PSSR
Normally inspected at 24 month frequency
Other pressure systems
12 - 120
PSSR
Dependent on vessel type, contents and
application
Electrical
Periodic inspection
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Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
Electrical installations and
equipment
3 - 60
EAWR 1989. BS7671:
Requirements for Electrical
Installations (17th editions
IET wiring regulations)
Frequency varies according to the type of
installation and may be determined by local
licensing requirements for places of public
entertainment. Generally industrial premises
are 36 months and commercial premises are 60
months. Local licensing authorities may require a
12 month frequency for places where the general
public use for entertainment or leisure
Quarries
6 - 12
EAWR 1989 & Electrical
Safety in Quarries
The quarry operator should have a maintenance
scheme in place to increase the full inspection and
testing regime of every 6 months
Inspection and testing
of Portable Electrical
Appliances (PAT)
3 - 60
EAWR 1989. IET code of
practice for In-service
Inspection and Testing of
Electrical Equipment. HS
(G) 107 maintaining portable
and transportable electrical
equipment
Frequency varies according to the type of
equipment and environment. Risk assessment
should be carried out to set the inspection and
testing regime. Guidance on frequency is given in
IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and
Testing of Electrical Equipment
Electrical
Periodic inspection continued
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
Inspections of electromechanical plant and
machinery
12-24
EAWR and PUWER
Frequency varies according to usage and
environmental condition in which plant is operating
(eg temperature, moisture, dust, corrosive,
weather conditions variations in load etc).
Petroleum installations
12 months or as
required by local
licensing authorities
EAWR 1989. Association for
Petroleum and Explosives
Administration (AEPA) and
The Institute of Petroleum
(IP) guidance for the design,
construction, modification
and maintenance of petrol
filling stations
Hazardous areas (explosive
atmosphere)
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EAWR 1989. BSEN60079
Explosive Atmospheres.
ATEX through DSEAR
(Dangerous Substances
and Explosive Atmosphere
Regulations 2002)
Types of inspections varies from a visual to full
detailed inspection and testing. Year 1 to be
detailed inspection and testing with years 2 & 3
visual inspection depending upon condition of
equipment and its usage
Emergency lighting
6 - 12
BS5266 Code of Practice for
the Emergency Lighting of
Premises
Full testing to be carried out every 12 months.
Every 6 months all system to be tested for
function. Generally Bureau Veritas will carry out 12
monthly tests
Lightning protection
12
BSEN62305 Protection
Against Lightning. BS7430
Code of Practice for Earthing
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Health safety and environment services
Health and safety at work
Periodic inspection
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
General H&S risk
assessment and
compliance audit
Review annually
HSAW 1974, Management
of HSAW 1999 (Reg 3),
regulatory, reform order
2005 (Reg 9)
The employer or person in control of the property/operation must
carry out a H&S risk assessment and a compliance audit at the
same time. We check the status in relation to approx 44 H&S
statutory requirements
Noise
Initial
Control of Noise at Work
Regulations 2005
Carry out risk assessment under Regulation 5
Health & Safety Policy
Review annually
HSAW 1974
Is the Health & Safety Policy held current and up to date?. How
is it made available to staff?. Review procedures and advice as
appropriate
Information, instruction
and training
Review annually
HSAW 1974
Insure that suitable induction and specific health and safety
training is given to enable members of staff to carry out their
roles and responsibilities safely
Permit to Work
Review annually
Management of Health and
Safety at Work Regulations
1997
Review any format and specific controls to high risk operations.
Identify any areas overlooked which permit control will benefit
the client to improve safety and risk
Confined spaces
Review annually
Confined Spaces
Regulation 1997
Identify and undertake any work activity under confined space is
complying with the regulation
DSE (Display Screen
Equipment)
Review when
any significant
changes arise in the
workstation set up or
staff health
Health & Safety (Display
Screen Equipment)
Regulations 1992
Ensure all DSE is undertake and review on a regular base
Manual handling
assessments
Review annually
Manual Handling
Operations Regulations
1992
Assess work activities in the work place which involves staff
moving materials and assess whether such manual handling is a
risk and necessary. Provide advise as required
Provision for first aid
Review annually
Health & Safety (First Aid)
Regulation 1981
Check the first aid coverage, training, facilities and provision to
ensure it is adequate for the needs of the client
Personal protective
equipment
As per manufactures
instructions
Personal Protective
Equipment at Work
Regulations 1992
Assess work activities in the work place which exposes staff to
high risk of injury that require further protection from harm.
Check the equipment is appropriate and in good order. Provide
advice as required
DDA Regulation and keep
only the 2005
The DDA requires service providers and all workplaces to make
reasonable adjustments to overcome physical features, which
obstruct the less able
Provision for disabled
persons
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Vibration risk
assessment
Annually or if work
requirements change
Control of Vibration at
Work Regulation 2005
Ascertain if a vibration risk assessment is required or review if
one has been carried out. Provide advice as appropriate. Under
Regulation 6, carry out a risk assessment
Working at height risk
assessment
Annually
Working at Height
Regulations 2005
Ascertain if a working at height risk assessment is required or
review if one has been carried out. Provide advice as appropriate
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Periodic inspection
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
CMR (Carcinogenic
Mutagenic and Reprotoxic)
Initial
COSHH
Undertake regulation and carry out a risk
assessment of any material on site and
implement any changes suitable
Initial asbestos survey
Initial
Produce an asbestos
management plan
Initial
Control of Asbestos Regulations
2012, Regulation 4 (L127 ACoP)
Approved code of practice L143; would
not apply to buildings constructed after
November 1999. Buildings surveyed to
MDHS 100 and HSG 264
Review of the asbestos
management plan
12
Re - Inspection of asbestos
materials
3 - 12
According to the condition of the material
Management of asbestos
record
Ongoing
Tracking incidences and changes on a
database
Monitoring services
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
Air monitoring and 4 stage
clearance for asbestos
On request
Guidance notes HSG247/
HSG248
Reassurance air monitoring and the removal
or encapsulation of asbestos; ad hoc
Project management
On request
Legionella
Initial
COSHH. ACOP L8
Legal requirement to carry out a risk
assessment and review at least once every
2 years
Local exhaust ventilation
dust fume / vapour extraction
14
COSHH. Regulation 6&9
guidance note HSG 258
6 monthly for metal dust
6 monthly in non-ferrous foundries
Local exhaust ventilation
shot blast units
6
COSHH. Regulation 6&9
guidance note HSG 258
Independent project management and
observation on behalf of the client
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Fire risk assessment
Periodic inspection
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
Fire Risk Assessment
12 months / property
changes
Applicable to all equipment:
Should be reviewed following the expiry of time
recommended for remedial work arising from the
previous assessment
The Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005 (England
and Wales)
Maintenance and testing of
emergency lighting
Monthly / 6 months /
annual
Fire extinguishers
12
Fire exit routes and fire
exits
Daily
Fire alarm systems
Weekly / 6 months /
annual
Test alarm weekly from manual call-points
sequential through the building. All other actions
should be undertaken by a competent engineer
Smoke and heat detectors
12
Ensure that all part of fire alarm and detective
system are serviced and tested in accordance of
the recommendation in the fire risk assessment
Sprinklers
Weekly / 6 months /
annual
Test weekly by operation of test valve. All other
actions should be undertaken by a competent
engineer
Dry / wet risers
6 months / annual
The visual inspection may be done in-house, but
the annual pressure test should be undertaken by
a competent engineer
Hosereels
6 months / annual
The 6 monthly visual inspection may be done
in-house, but the annual pressure test should be
undertaken by a competent engineer
Fire drill
6 months / annual
Drills should be conducted not less than annually
for low to medium office / shop type risks, and not
less than 6 monthly for hotels and buildings to
which the public have access, or as recommended
in the fire risk assessment
The Fire Safety Regulations
2006 (Scotland)
The Fire Safety Regulations
2010 (Northern Ireland)
Carry out inspection of all emergency lights
Ensure that a suitable number and type of
extinguishers are provided and they are serviced
by an approved contractor
Carry out checks of all fire exits and fire exit
routes - record findings
We have endeavoured to ensure details are accurate. No responsibility can be accepted for any errors or omissions.
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Fire risk assessment
Periodic inspection continued
Equipment
Periodicity (months)
Governing regulation(s)
Notes
Ventilation and smoke
extraction systems
Tested weekly if
interfaced with fire
alarm systems
Applicable to all equipment:
Serviced annually by competent engineers
Smoke curtains
Tested weekly if
interfaced with fire
alarm systems
The Regulatory Reform (Fire
Safety) Order 2005 (England
and Wales)
Serviced annually by competent engineers
Fire / smoke dampers
Tested weekly if
interfaced with fire
alarm systems
The Fire Safety Regulations
2012 (Scotland)
Serviced annually by competent engineers
The Fire Safety Regulations
2010 (Northern Ireland)
Staircase pressurisation
Tested weekly if
interfaced with fire
alarm systems
Serviced annually by competent engineers
Fire suppression systems
6 months / annual
Serviced annually by competent engineers / room
integrity when material change takes place
Fire hydrants on site
12
Serviced annually by competent engineers
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