by safe + sound » Fri May 18, 2012 10:13 am
I see the HSE guidance Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments INDG236 (rev2), published 04/12 raises more questions than it answers.
“larger items that could be moved (but only rarely), eg water chillers, fridges, microwaves, photocopiers, vending machines, washing machines, electric cookers, fax machines, desktop computers, electric beds etc are considered to be movable items”
Does this mean Stationary Equipment no longer exists as a type of equipment?
“hand-held items, such as hairdryers, that do not have a plug but have been wired in (or fixed) are still considered to be portable appliances, but large electrical items, such as water boilers that are wired in, are not portable appliances as they are not designed to be moved and would come under the scope of fixed installation maintenance”
So water boilers are now part of the fixed installation but electric cookers are not?
It’s about time government departments and other agencies got their act together and worked to produce clear and common guidance for us all. It would be nice if the introduction of BS EN62638 and a new Code of Practice achieves this but I won’t be holding my breath.
Apologies for the cynicism, I must be having a bad day.