Electrical Safety (OBU-HAS-PROC-15.00)

4.1 Pro Vice-Chancellor Deans/Directors of Directorates must ensure that:

• Staff, students and others persons such as contractors engaged by the Faculty/Directorate are aware of the need to follow the requirements of this procedure and any local safe working procedures.
• Where testing of electrical equipment is carried out locally, there are appropriate processes in place to ensure this is conducted by competent staff and in line with local risk assessments/codes of practice.
• Staff have sufficient knowledge to recognize when portable appliances or any other electrical equipment may be damaged or otherwise present a risk, and to take it out of use.

4.2 Director of Estates and Campus Services is responsible for ensuring that:

• All new fixed installations are designed, installed and tested to the required standard.
• Appropriate resources and arrangements are in place to undertake the portable appliance testing (PAT) for the University.
• Appropriate processes are in place for the appointment, management and review of electrical contractors engaged by ECS.

4.3 Head of Maintenance is responsible for ensuring that:

• There is an appropriate process in place for the management, maintenance, inspection, monitoring and corrective actions associated with the LV electrical system and portable appliances.

4.4 Electrical Team Manager is responsible for:

• The development, maintenance and review of the ECS Code of Practice (CoP) for Electrical Safety
• Being the ‘Authorising Officer’ (AO) and as such appointing an appropriate number of suitable competent ‘Authorised Persons’ (AP)
• For developing a plan of corrective actions associated with the testing regime.
• Acting as Principle Duty Holder for the NICEIC Approved Electrical Contractor and will arrange the annual NICEIC audit and drawing up a plan to address any remedial actions identified.
• Implementing a portable appliance testing (PAT) process for the University and associated documentation including local procedure and risk assessment covering the frequency of testing. This process will include the provision of onsite ‘PAT clinics’.

4.5 Electrical Supervisor will act as Qualifying Supervisor for the NICEIC Approved Electrical Contractor scheme and will be responsible for:

• Being an AP in the management and control of electrical works including the issuing of electrical permits to work and carrying out electrical isolation.
• Supporting the Electrical Team Manager in the development, maintenance and review of the ECS COP for Electrical Safety.
• Ensuring the programme of corrective actions is implemented in accordance with the ECS plan.

4.6 Contracts and Compliance Manager (Electrical) is responsible for:

• The oversight of the way in which electrical contractors appointed by ECS undertake their work and ensure this is in line with the ECS CoP for Electrical Safety.
• This oversight will also include periodic checks on contractor performance and competence of their staff.
  
• Ensuring that records of electrical maintenance and testing are maintained in an appropriate and auditable manner.
  
• Acting as an AP as requested.
  
• Managing and organising the contractor and schedule for carrying out portable appliance testing across the University.
• Ensuring appropriate records are maintained in respect of portable appliance testing.

4.7 Line Managers are responsible for:

• Any electrical item purchased by their area(s) is suitable for the purpose it is being used, is appropriately risk assessed, installed by a competent person and is subject to appropriate maintenance and periodic safety checks.

4.8 Health and Safety team is responsible for:

• Advising on the standards and regulations that must be achieved in order to meet legal requirements in support of all electrical tasks undertaken by Faculties and Directorates.
• Providing advice and guidance on the development of associated documentation including codes of practice, safe systems of work, local procedures and risk assessments.
• Undertaking inspections and audits of this procedure and associated systems to ensure appropriate compliance.

4.9 All staff are responsible for:

• For routinely conducting a visual inspection of all electrical equipment they use including any University owned equipment that is used for hybrid working. These checks include:
• damage to the lead including fraying, cuts or heavy scuffing
• damage to the plug, e.g. to the cover or bent pins
  
• tape applied to the lead to join leads together
• coloured wires visible where the lead joins the plug (the cable is not being gripped where it enters the plug)
• damage to the outer cover of the equipment itself, including loose parts or screws
• signs of overheating, such as burn marks or staining on the plug, lead or piece of equipment
• equipment that has been used or stored in unsuitable conditions, such as wet or dusty environments or where water spills are possible 
  
• cables trapped under furniture or in floor boxes
  
• Appendix 1 provides details of recommended visual checks
• Reporting to their line manager/ECS helpdesk any equipment they have concerns about. Where concerns are identified, staff must take all reasonable efforts to ensure the equipment is not be used e.g. labelling the item.
  

4.10 Students must ensure that all personal electrical equipment that they bring onto campus is in a safe condition. Electrical equipment which appears hazardous, such as poor wiring, exposed mains connections is to be reported the accommodation manager.

4.11 Tenants are responsible for the safety of any electrical appliance that is brought into University owned property. ECS will undertake portable appliance testing on tenant’s equipment in line with this procedure.

4.12 Contractors are responsible for ensuring their own equipment is appropriately maintained, inspected and is fit for purpose. Electrical contractors must comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations and the ECS CoP for Electrical Safety.

6.1 Staff, students or contractors working on electrical equipment, machinery or installations must be competent to do so. This includes modifications to, or repair of, electrical equipment. The level of competence required will depend on the work to be done, and should be derived from a risk assessment of the task/activity.

6.2 Competency may be on the basis of qualifications, experience, training, knowledge and skills. Individuals may need to be regularly re-assessed to ensure that their skills and knowledge remain up-to-date. People who cannot demonstrate competence should not be allowed to work unless they are supervised by someone who is.