The Danger of Electrical Shock.
Electricity can kill. Each year about 1000 accidents at work
involving electric shock or burns are reported to the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Around 30 of these
are fatal. Even non-fatal shocks can cause severe and permanent injury. Shocks from faulty appliances may lead to falls. Those using electricity may not be the only ones at risk, faulty electrical appliances can lead to fires which may also cause death or injury to others.
Did you know that…?
The UK Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires that
“every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adopted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided”.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states
“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”
This means that employers (and the self-employed) must ensure that all electrical work equipment is safe, suitable for the purpose and properly maintained in good order.
Many insurance providers insist that portable appliance testing is carried out on a regular basis, and more are starting to join with this idea. If you suffer an avoidable accident, then under law if found guilty it may be deemed you have committed a criminal offence. Insurers will not pay fines or compensation resulting from a criminal offence.
Faults may arise in electrical appliances that are not readily apparent. For example internal damage from misuse or electrical connections may deteriorate over time due to corrosion or fatigue.
To identify such defects a regime of regular electrical safety testing should be deployed.
This is commonly known as Portable Appliance Testing or P.A.T.
Tesco Rapid Boil Illuminating Jug Kettle
28/02/08
Prestige Deco 1.5L Cordless Dome Kettle
21/02/08
Asda Durabrand Microwave
01/02/08
Lee Stafford Hair Straighteners
31/01/08
B&Q Airforce 2000W Convection Heater
25/01/08
Vivicam 5660 Digital Camera Battery Charger
29/11/07
Electrical appliances submitted for test with known faults, product recalls or safety notices will be failed
For more details visit Trading Standards Central
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