Risk Assessment Form

Title of Risk Assessment Portable Electrical Equipment Date of assessment June 2020

Department Science Departments and Estates Date review due June 2022

Description of Task/Process This risk assessment covers the electrical hazards and appropriate control measures for typical portable electrical appliances. It does not cover the use of specific portable electrical and any hazards created during their use, which would need a specific risk assessment. It also does not cover live or high voltage works.

Assessment carried out by <name of individual person or competent persons>

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Additional information Note that this is a generic risk assessment so should be tailored to take into consideration any additional hazards present connected with the activity, the materials used, the people involved or the environment.

Portable electrical equipment is any item which has an electric lead (cable or flex) and a plug Including equipment directly powered from the mains and low voltage equipment powered from transformers (110 or 55v tools and equipment)

University of Warwick Electrical Safety Policy should be adhered to; including frequency of portable appliance testing (PAT) regimes under the University’s PAT arrangements (Estates Office Code of Practice Portable Electrical Appliance Inspection and Testing COP No: EC001)

All portable electrical equipment must be selected and maintained so as to be suitable for the task and the environment it is used in.

A suitable power supply must be available Portable equipment to be used outdoors or in harsh environments must be designed for the task and the location.

Battery powered or safe low voltage equipment must be selected where practicable. Portable equipment must be provided with adequate protection measures including residual current devices. If

these are not installed in the main building installation, or the equipment is subject to high levels of wear and tear, then portable RCDs should be provided.

Multi-plug adapters (‘adapter blocks’ that fit directly into a socket outlet) must not be used under any circumstances

Local rules/SOPs/COPs must be followed at all times The risks from the individual piece of equipment, the type of use and the environment where it is used must always

be assessed and where appropriate, only trained and competent individuals should use certain portable electrical items

Extension cables must not be connected together (i.e., an extension cable feeding another extension cable ‘daisy chaining’).

Where equipment fails a user visual inspection or a formal test it should immediately be removed from use and quarantined until either repaired or replaced as appropriate

User check guide: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/healthsafetywellbeing/guidance/electrical_safety/visualinspectionguide/ For more information, see HSE’s guide for maintaining portable electric equipment in low risk environments:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

Selection and use

Incorrect, inappropriate or poorly maintained equipment

Injury to user and others

Damage, wear and tear to equipment.

Electric shock; tingling and numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving limbs, amnesia, seizures, respiratory arrest, burns

Fire

Damage to infrastructure overhead or buried surfaces

Users, bystanders, building users, visitors

Eliminate/Engineering controlProcedures in place to ensure that equipment meets EU and UK design and manufacture standards

Eliminate/substituteType of use and work environment is assessed, lowest risk equipment is selected, and battery powered, or safe low voltage equipment purchased where required

Administrative controlStaff provided with information and training and are competent to use the equipment in the context of task and environment.Task risk assessments cross refer and control risks from use of portable equipment including physical risks (noise, hand arm vibration, ergonomics).Regular inspection and maintenancePre and post use user checks

L L

Hazards arising from Users, Engineering controls L Work activity itself to be L

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

design or purpose of the equipment

Including hot/cold pressurised, moving parts, noise vibration

hot surfaces

Minor burns, scalds, fire

visitors, Building users

Select and install equipment designed to minimise risksEnsure appropriate work area and suitable segregation

Administrative control:Adequate information instruction and training in correct usePre-use checks of equipment prior to switching on to ensure appropriate set-up and, it is suitable for use in the space and most appropriate for the work activity.

Cable must not overhang/cross the heating element of the equipment or other hot surface.New equipment will display a “Caution Hot Surface” sign. For other equipment, where heat is not an obvious hazard use a “Caution Hot Surface” sign and place near to the equipment in question. This is particularly relevant in shared spaces, where you may not be the only user or where the equipment may be left on for long periods

subject to separate risk assessment.

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

when the space is empty.If practicable, allow work piece to cool before handling.Training in use of equipment.

PPE:Wear applicable PPE in line with local procedures / SOPs for the space / activity. Suitable heat resistant gloves may be required for moving equipment prior to it having cooled down for example.

Equipment purchased outside of the UK and EU

HSE Enforcement action and reputational damage

Fire

Electric shock; tingling and numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving limbs, amnesia, seizures, respiratory arrest

Users, bystanders, building users, visitors

Eliminate: Do not use procured electrical equipment from outside of the EU.

Substitute:In research departments, if the equipment is specialist and options are limited in terms of manufacturer, procure through an EU supplier/distributor.

Administrative control:Ensure CE marking is on the equipment upon arrival and Certificates of Conformity are supplied.

H

Admin:If the item does not carry a “CE” mark, meets British Standards and/or the item is not fitted with a British Standard plug it is to be tested and brought up to current standards by a competent electrician prior to being put in use. Where this is not possible the item should be removed from use and suitably disposed of.

L

Mains power/sockets Users, Engineering control: L Admin: VL

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

Electric shock; tingling and numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving limbs, amnesia, seizures, respiratory arrest, burns

Fire

bystanders, building users, visitors

Where practical, all distribution boards should be fitted with residual current devices (RCD) or other suitable breaker

Administrative control:Fixed wiring installation is tested at least every 5 years by the UniversityUser must not overload circuit Pre-use visual checks carried out by user to ensure socket not damaged prior to use.

User to report any defective power sockets to the Estates Servicedesk to ensure that they are taken out of use.

Hand-held equipment e.g. power drill, hedge cutter, soldering iron

Electric shock; tingling and numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving limbs, amnesia, seizures, respiratory arrest, burns

Users Eliminate:Purchased within the UK or EU and meets British Standards

Substitution:Where practicable replace mains powered equipment with battery-operated or where not practicable, safe low voltage (110 or 55V)

Engineering control:Where practicable, purchase Class II double insulated or Class I earthed equipment. Class II would include hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, electrically powered drills. The equipment will bear a label where the volts & power are indicated. Class II

L L

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

Fire

Contact with services in building structures overhead, or buried. Particularly when using drilling or cutting equipment

double insulated bears a double square sign (one in another). If there is a rating plate but no double square, treat as Class I appliance, or it will be depicted by this sign. Class I equipment normally includes items such as toasters, kettles, washing machines and irons etc.

Administrative control:Suitable for the intended service environment/weather conditionsThe manufacturer’s guidance on loading (i.e., the total amperage of appliances that can be plugged in) must be followedPre-use checks carried outMaintained and serviced in line with Manufacturers’ guidancePA tested in line with University Policy.Training.Switch off equipment before cleaning, maintenance, servicing and when not in use.Do not overwind cabling when

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

moving from one location to another or when putting away as this can cause damage to cables.Ensure SOPs/safe systems of work are in place for tasks and users are adequately trained and competent

PPE:Wear applicable PPE in line with local procedures / SOPs for the space / activity.

Movable equipment e.g. hot plates, kettles, vacuum cleaners

Electric shock; tingling and numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving limbs, amnesia, seizures, respiratory arrest

Fire

Users, visitors

Eliminate:Purchased within the UK or EU and meets British Standards

Engineering control:Where practicable, purchase Class II double insulated or Class 1 earthed equipment.Equipment suitable for the intended service environment/weather conditions e.g. carries relevant IP (“ingress protection”)Rating as defined in international standard EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529) or ATEX rating, noting that the latter applies to all equipment

L L

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

intended for use in explosive atmospheres, whether electrical or mechanical, and includes protective systems.The manufacturer’s guidance on loading (i.e., the total amperage of appliances that can be plugged in) must be followed.Pre-use checks carried out.Maintained and serviced in line with Manufacturers’ guidance.PA tested in line with University Policy.Training.Where appropriate, switch off equipment before cleaning, maintenance, servicing and when not in use.Do not overwind cabling when moving from one location to another or when putting away as this can cause damage to cables.

PPE:Wear applicable PPE in line with local procedures / SOPs for the space / activity

Stationary equipment (>18kg) e.g. fridge,

Users, visitors

Eliminate:Purchased within the UK or EU L L

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

freezer, incubator

Electric shock; tingling and numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving limbs, amnesia, seizures, respiratory arrest

Fire

Loss of power could result in loss of anything critical contained within the electrical equipment e.g. freezer.

Manual handling injuries when locating or relocating larger electrical equipment.

and meets British Standards. Engineering control:

Where safety critical, purchase with inbuilt E-stop, interlocks.Equipment suitable for the intended environment e.g. carries relevant IP rating as defined in international standard EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529) or ATEX rating.

Equipment may need to be on a separate circuit / backed up by an uninterrupted power supply.

Administrative control:The manufacturer’s guidance on loading (i.e., the total amperage of appliances that can be plugged in) must be followed.Pre-use checks carried out.Maintained and serviced in line with Manufacturers’ guidancePA tested in line with University Policy. Training in use of equipment and in use of lifting aids if moving equipment.Where appropriate, switch off equipment before cleaning,

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

maintenance, servicing and when not in use.Equipment that needs to be pulled out or moved for maintaining to be moved using suitable lifting / moving aids to remove or reduce manual handling. This also applies when relocated large electrical equipment.

PPE:Wear applicable PPE in line with local procedures / SOPs for the space / activity.

IT equipment e.g. computer, mobile phone charger, televisions, photocopier, CCTV equipment

Electric shock; tingling and numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving limbs, amnesia, seizures, respiratory arrest

Users, visitors

Engineering control:Where practicable, purchase Class II double insulated equipment.Equipment suitable for the intended environment e.g. carries relevant IP rating as defined in international standard EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529) or ATEX rating.

Administrative control:The manufacturer’s guidance on loading (i.e., the total amperage of appliances that can be plugged in) must be followed.

VL VL

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

PA test in line with University Policy.Avoid extension leads and install extra power socket outlets as required.Where appropriate, switch off equipment before cleaning, maintenance, servicing and when not in use.For portable items, do not overwind cabling when moving from one location to another or when putting away as this can cause damage to cables.

Exposed wires/cables caused by friction over time or damage from being squashed, cut or overwound

Electric shock; tingling and numbness, weakness or difficulty in moving limbs, amnesia, seizures, respiratory arrest

Users, visitors

Administrative control:Operator to visually check work equipment cabling for damage prior to use (where reasonably practicable), including electrical cords to power tools.PA test in line with University Policy. Use of Residual Current Devices (if applicable).Cabling adequately protected from damage.

L

Administrative control:User to report any defective cabling or exposed wires to line manager / supervisor or where relevant Estates Servicedesk (dependent upon owner of equipment) to ensure item taken out of immediate use and it is quarantined for fixing or safe disposal, noting need for WEEE compliance.

L

Trailing cables User, bystanders,

Administrative control:Place equipment close to

L If extension leads cannot be avoided:

      L

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Hazards and how they may cause harm

Who may be at Risk? Existing Control Measures

Current Risk Level

(VL,L,M,H,VH)

Where current risk is M, H or VH, what additional Control Measures are required?

Action required by whom & by

when?

FinalRisk Level

Slips, trips, falls resulting in minor bruises to broken bones

visitors power supplies, or route cables along walls, in cable tidies, trunking etc.Avoid extension leads and install extra power socket outlets as required.If temporary, restrict access to area and fix down the cable.If unavoidable, use cable ties and cover strips so that damage is reduced and cables across walkways are obvious.Instruction or part of induction to space to point out potential cable trip hazards.Good housekeeping.

they must not be connected together (i.e., an extension cable feeding another extension cable ‘daisy chaining’)

they must be PA tested in line with University Policy

they must be of an appropriate length for the task

if cable reels are used, they must be completely unwound before use

Work should not be carried out until the assessment is completed and all required control measures are in place.

Overall Final Risk Rating (Highest level in final column above)

Low

Additional Comments from Risk Assessor(e.g. funding or practical implications)

Additional funds may be required for the maintenance of some portable electrical items which will need to be thought of before purchasing.

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University of Warwick Risk Assessment Form

Approved By <name of peer, supervisor or line manager> Position <insert role>

Date <insert date of approval>

Please print a copy, sign it and keep for your records

Document History

Version Date Reviewer CommentsV1.0 June 2020 H&S Services Team Generic version                                              

Severity Risk Level

Likelihood Superficial Minor Serious Major Extreme Very low Acceptable risk - no action required

Unlikely Very low Very low Low Low Moderate Low Tolerable risk - further control measures not required,

but status must be monitored

Possible Very low Low Low Moderate High Moderate Further control measures required to reduce risk as far as is reasonably practical

Likely Low Low Moderate High Very high High Urgent action required to allow activity to continue

Very likely Low Moderate High Very high Very high Very high Risk intolerable - activity must cease until the risk has

been reduced

Extremely likely Moderate High Very high Very high Very high

See ‘Matrix for risk evaluation’ for further guidance.

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