Page 108 - HIL Operatives Training Manual V4 16022024_Neat

O P E R A T I V E S T R A I N I N G M A N U A L V E R S I O N 4

• Electrically power operated hand tools are 'work equipment' as defined by the Provision
and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Suitable and sufficient risk
assessments shall be carried out and only tools that are suitable for the purpose shall
be provided and used.
• These tools present significant risk of electric shock to users and neighbourhood
workers if incorrectly selected for the task or environment, if the tool becomes defective
or the flexible cable is damaged.
• It is forbidden for any unauthorised person to connect up, attempt to repair, or otherwise
interfere with any electrical circuit, apparatus or appliance.
• The selection of new portable electrical equipment and power tools must include
consideration of the environment in which the tool is to be used, the method of
minimising the risk of electric shock in the event of a fault and training and maintenance
requirements.
To minimise electric shock risk, portable electrical power tools should:

1. Conform to the appropriate British Standard or European Norm (EN) (e.g., BS EN
50144) and for new tools must carry the ‘CE’ mark.
2. Be of the classes conforming to ‘all insulated’ or ‘double insulated’.
3. Suitable for use either on 110 Volt DC or 110 Volt AC single-phase 50Hz supply, fed
from a double wound transformer with the mid-point of the secondary winding earthed.

• Portable electrical equipment / power tools (PEPT) must only be used by trained
competent persons.
• Portable electrical equipment / power tools, extension leads etc must be examined and
tested on a regular basis (every 6 months or sooner for areas of high risk, such as
building sites, workshops, factories etc and every 12 months for office areas or similar)
• A record of the examination and test must be kept and the portable electrical equipment
/ power tools, extension leads etc fitted with a label displaying the test date.
• PEPT should be inspected prior to use and any damage to cables, outer casing or
plugs should be reported to your Manager and the tool removed from use until it is
repaired.
• All PEPT should be 12V DC, 110V AC or air driven but where they operate from the
mains supply (240V AC) they should be equipped with a residual current circuit breaker
(RCCB) between the tool and the mains supply.
• Tasks involving PEPT can be complex and varied and it is the responsibility of the
operator that personal protective equipment appropriate to the risks is worn.
• For all tasks involving revolving machinery eye protection must be used.
• For handheld grinding operation, in addition to eye/face protection, respiratory
protection may be required.
• Small items being worked on must never be held in the
hand or by a handheld tool but should be securely
clamped in a fixed vice or other suitable device.
• When using PEPT leads/flexes are to be as short as
possible and where leads have to cross floors,
walkways etc., precautions must be taken to warn
others of the risk from trailing leads.
• Never use PEPT with extension leads still on their
storage drum as overheating of the cable could occur.
• While using electrical mains powered PEPT all
exposed conductive surfaces should be connected to
earth.

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