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  • 4 weeks ago
This video provides an introductory overview of Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), emphasizing the employer's responsibility under UK law to maintain electrical safety in the workplace.

Key topics covered include:

What is a Portable Appliance? (0:08 - 1:36): Defined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a portable appliance is any movable item that uses a cable and plug. This includes everyday office and household equipment like kettles, heaters, computers, and even battery-charging equipment like mobile phone chargers.

Electrical Hazards (1:39 - 2:30): The primary risks associated with electrical appliances include electric shocks, burns, fire, and explosions caused by faulty equipment or static electricity.

Understanding Electric Shock (2:32 - 3:45): The video breaks down the severity of electric shock based on current levels (measured in milliamperes/mA), ranging from barely perceptible (0.5–2 mA) to potentially life-threatening or fatal cardiac events (over 50 mA).

Risk Assessment and Maintenance (3:46 - 4:07): Safety is maintained through structured risk assessments, which identify hazards and establish consistent maintenance and inspection plans.

Legislation and Compliance (4:10 - 5:07): While there is no single law exclusively for PAT, employers must adhere to broader regulations—such as the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974—to ensure equipment safety, maintain compliance for insurance purposes, and prevent danger to individuals.

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Learning
Transcript
00:06introduction to portable appliance testing what is a portable electrical appliance according to
00:13the health and safety executive hse a portable electric appliance pat is any item that can be
00:21moved either connected or disconnected from an electrical supply almost all portable that is
00:27movable appliances have a cable or lead and a plug portable and movable equipment includes the
00:34following electrical equipment which is relatively easy to move around such as kettles vacuum cleaners
00:41floor polishers portable heaters electric fans lamps radios microwave ovens small electric cookers
00:50laptops computer and film projectors onions hair dryers food mixers and toasters larger items such
00:58as water coolers fridges photocopiers and fax machines vending machines washing machines and dryers electric
01:06cookers and computers handheld items that do not have a plug but are fixed or wired in are considered to
01:14be
01:14portable appliances a good example can be the hair dryer however larger electrical items such as wired
01:21in boilers and heaters are not battery charging equipment that is plugged into the mains such as
01:27mobile phone chargers are included but not the phones themselves extension leads to multiple adapters and
01:35collection lead what are the risks the main hazards of working with electricity are electric shock
01:44burns from human contact with live parts injury from exposure to arcing fire from fog electrical
01:51equipment or installations explosions caused by poly maintained electrical apparatus or static electricity
01:58igniting flannable materials paper or dust electric shocks can also cause other types of injury such as
02:06when a person falls from a ladder or scaffolding risk can also come from obstructive or poorly laid out leads
02:13cables cables and wires rodents tend to be considered as part of general workplace health and safety
02:19rather than specifically electrical problems however always report cables and wires that appear to be in
02:26hazardous or risky position understanding shock risk all who are involved with electrical systems are termed
02:34duty holders by the law a good understanding of the dangers and effects of electric shock is necessary for
02:40those employees and workers who only have limited knowledge of electricity but are still charged with their
02:46company's appliance testing it will help give meaning and confidence to the inspection and that process
02:53electric shock electric shock is the term used to describe the passage of electric current through the
03:00body in such magnitude as to have harmful effects which can be extremely damaging and life-threatening
03:06the effects of current passing through the human body which originated from different amplitudes can be
03:12summarized as follows ma equals milli amperes or milliamps 1 to 2 milli amperes barely perceptible 5 to 10
03:21milli amperes the subjected individual will be thrown away from the appliance and will experience pain 10 to 15
03:28milli amperes the person will experience muscular contraction and won't be able to let go of the equipment
03:3520 to 30 milli amperes breathing is impaired more than 50 milli amperes may experience a heart attack
03:43and death a little about risk assessment the control of risk arising from the use of portable electrical
03:50equipment should be based on a risk assessment a risk assessment identifies hazards and institutes
03:56appropriate mitigation and measures to control risk in the workplace often partly by setting up an
04:02appropriate maintenance plan there will be no wrong risk assessment later in the course legislation
04:10while there is currently no absolute legal requirement for pat testing the government has produced
04:15regulations which govern the maintenance of electrical appliances the most effective way for employers to
04:22conform to these regulations is by pat testing the hse expects you to perform pat testing to ensure that
04:29you are compliant with the appropriate regulations insurance companies also expect compliance to validate their
04:35policies fully several published regulations that have been implemented are the health and safety at work act
04:431974 hswa the management of the health and safety at work act regulations 1999 the provision and use of work
04:53equipment regulations 1998 the electricity at work regulations 1989 ewr
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