Safety Management of School Equipment

Portable Appliance Testing

The Electricity at Work Regulations places a legal responsibility on schools to take practicable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of their portable appliances.  This in effect requires the implementation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing.  The HSE provides no absolute rules on the regularity of testing portable appliances. The Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations suggests that ‘regular inspection of equipment is an essential part of any preventative maintenance program’, but no attempt is made to specify the intervals of time implied by the word ‘regular’.  Therefore it is possible that your school may be spending more on Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) than is strictly necessary.  H&S Consultants (UK) Ltd can advise you with your PAT programme, ensuring you meet your legal requirements and also to ensure that you are not wasting funds by over testing your appliances.

PE and Playground Equipment

Strictly speaking the annual inspection of your PE and playground equipment is not a legal requirement, it is best practice.  However, there is no doubt that you would like to ensure the safety of staff and pupils when using such equipment.  Also consider how you would defend a claim of negligence should an accident occur due to a fault with your PE or playground equipment.  H&S Consultants (UK) Ltd will arrange for an annual inspection of your equipment by a competent body. We will also ensure that any remedial actions identified during the inspection are included in a workable action plan. All actions will be documented and held in a school file should they be required for audit.

D&T Equipment

Whether it’s your LEV or basic technology machinery such as belt sanders and disc saws, it is a legal requirement to ensure that this equipment is not only inspected but classed as serviceable.  H&S Consultants (UK) Ltd will manage the servicing and inspection system for all of your D&T equipment in order to meet your legal, insurers and best practice requirements.

Call us now on 07963 461991 or contact us here  to discuss how we can assist with the management of your school equipment and machinery.