TEST integrity

It is a fact that electricity injures and kills people. Around 1000 electrical accidents in the workplace are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) each year and about 30 people die from their injuries.

Considering these facts alongside statutory health and safety responsibilities, the growing ‘blame culture’, the increasing vigilance of insurance companies and punitive corporate manslaughter penalties, you can see why maintaining electrical safety for staff has become a priority for all employers.

More and more organisations have come to understand their obligations under the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 and are turning to outsourced safety testing solutions to ensure that the risk posed by unsafe electrical equipment is minimised.

This was the sort of opportunity first identified by electrical contractor Robert Kitchener when he set up Kitchener 2000 in 1996 as a family business specialising in portable appliance testing.

Kitchener 2000 now employs 25 staff from its Accrington head office and carries out around 700 000 electrical safety tests each year for 500 customers. The company’s client base extends from Aberdeen to London and includes local authorities, hotel and leisure operators, utilities and extractive industries, NHS Trusts, manufacturing operations and engineering industries.

Kitchener remains faithful to his original principles: “We have always believed in using the best test technology available and we are committed to training and developing the potential of our staff.” All Kitchener 2000 test engineers hold NVQ Level 2 City & Guilds Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) qualifications gained through in-house training supported by accredited external providers. The company is ECA registered and holds IIP status. It won the Unique Business of the Year 2005 title from the East Lancs Chamber of Commerce.

Working strictly to the IEE Code of Practice, Kitchener 2000 not only undertakes regular testing of electrical equipment on client premises, but also manages the complete test programme on behalf of customers.

Before agreeing to take any PAT contract, Kitchener 2000 insists on a full site survey and assessment being made, not only to identify the full range of equipment to be tested, but also to identify working environments, patterns of use and the presence of any hazardous substances or working conditions.

When on site, engineers inspect and test all types of 110 V and 240 V electrical equipment using advanced microprocessor controlled testers capable of undertaking tests and recording the results in an internal memory. The engineer also produces test labels on-site as soon as they are undertaken for immediate visual verification that the equipment is safe to use.

Any items that fail the test are brought to the attention of the customer immediately, have a fail label fitted and are taken out of service or made safe by the engineer. PAT failure certificates are produced for every failed appliance.

At the end of the working day, engineers return to base and the test data is automatically transferred to a central database from which client reports and appliance registers are produced, along with pass/fail indications and next test details.

Kitchener explains: “We provide a comprehensive electrical maintenance service that combines full safety testing with the development of test records that will enable employers to fulfil their statutory obligations under the HSE Directive and the Electricity At Work Regulations.

“No doubt that customers would rather not have to do the testing. However, this view can change when they see the results of testing and the list of equipment repairs needed that could well have turned into a hazard.

Kitchener 2000 uses a total PAT solutions safety testing package developed by Seaward. This concept combines advance technology test instruments with automatic output of appliance labels and a specialist software-based records-keeping system.

Kitchener 2000 has traditionally used the Seaward Supernova test instrument at the heart of this system, but recently became one of the first PAT companies to utilise the benefits of the new Bluetooth enabled PrimeTest 300.

When combined with the practical expertise of his engineers, this latest test technology brings considerable business benefits for Kitchener 2000.

Kitchener says: “The test system configuration we use has been deliberately chosen to maximise productivity without compromising the quality of testing carried out.

“Direct printed labels take data straight from the tester and cannot be disputed. Computer-based records systems also mean we can provide accurate, up-to-date records immediately, on disc or by email, without producing reams of paperwork if the client does not want it.”

With technology and training providing the basis of a comprehensive service to customers, Kitchener has been able to build long term relationships, with high levels of repeat business and client recommendations.

As the emphasis on health and safety in the workplace continues and the Electricity At Work Regulations provide the impetus for further growth, this enterprising company is rightly looking towards the future with optimism.

Since I took the reins at BASEC it has started to move closer to the manufacturers who subscribe as clients; the contractors and specifiers who look for expert information and guidance; and the end-users of cable who want to understand practical issues.

The electrical industry is a challenging – and exciting – place to be these days. Keeping pace in today’s fast-moving business environment is difficult. Key is the rapid growth of China as the world’s workshop; then there is the volatility of the raw materials markets, especially copper; new EC and UK legislation; wide sweeping changes in the construction and fire sectors and new markets to consider overseas. These issues will not be solved easily or quickly. They are here for the long-term, and so is BASEC.

We have always believed in using the best test technology available and are committed to developing the potential of our staff.

How do you plan to meet industry challenges?

We have to meet today’s fast moving challenges head on. We are evolving all the time, but we must not lose sight of our core business: providing a first class service in cable certification.

Market conditions mean it has never been more important to distinguish quality products. Raw materials markets have seen alarming price volatility – and it is not over yet. This brings the potential for poor quality or dangerous cable products to be sold by unscrupulous firms.

At the same time, new legislation such as the Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) from the EC and Part P of the Building Regulations make new demands on industry.

The RoHS has implications for manufacturers, component and materials suppliers and the distribution chain for electrical and electronic equipment. Its aim is to restrict the use of six substances in new equipment to help prevent them entering the environment in the future. Anticipating the impact of RoHS, BASEC has introduced the Eco-Green Management Scheme to help manufacturers maintain compliance.

Part P has also had wide sweeping effects and we are providing advice to contractors and clients on how best to deal with the extra requirements.

What about the new fire safety regulations?

In the fire performance market, the Regulatory Reform Order will be implemented in October. This increases the responsibility of the manager or owner of premises, with the emphasis being placed on risk assessment. Indeed, the safety of people and property should never be compromised and this is one of the cornerstones of our work.

Many owners will take the easy approach and install top quality systems. Although cables have been around for a long time, there are significant technical developments underway to tailor performance for particular applications, particularly in the data and fire areas. BASEC is working closely with manufacturers on new products as they emerge.

Is BASEC involved with any new areas?

There are several new areas where BASEC is working including the construction sector, which is changing rapidly. Many buildings are now being built in kit form including wiring and plumbing, and new cable products are emerging to satisfy these needs.

The scope of our work is broadening to include new user sectors such as transport and security – there is a plethora of new electrical devices on our roads and railways and cctv is now everywhere.

Why should firms seek the BASEC mark?

The BASEC mark stands for quality and we want to enhance and build that. It adds to a company’s equity if it can display a mark on its products that means something of real value. The BASEC mark means products have undergone rigorous and professional testing, production surveillance and often retesting. In short, there is nothing to hide and everyone in the supply chain is aware of that.

How can firms make use of BASEC’s services?

Through an expanding range of services, supported by our expert assessors, we want to become more accessible. We see communications with those ‘on the ground’ as a priority.

We have an enquiry helpdesk, a new web site, accept e-mail enquiries and will be regularly communicating and asking for feedback through our e-bulletin. We are encouraging current and prospective customers to register on our web site for some of these new services. We are also a supporter of Voltimum.

What plans are in place for future changes at BASEC?

Looking to the future, we believe training is an area we should consider getting involved in. We hold knowledge and expertise through our assessors and we see the key industry issues on a daily basis from where we sit.

Learning and development is an increasingly important part of our industry. Product specifications, development, the manufacturing processes and environmental management are key and we are looking at how we can bring something to the party here.

We work closely with the BSI and other bodies including the ECA, NICEIC and the British Cables Association to ensure we fully understand how products should be tested, approved and certified, and though the current agenda is long, nothing should deter us from that.