Portable Electric Tool Inspection Policy

Electric Tool Inspections

Portable electric tools are prone to excessive wear and tear when they are used in the construction trade. They therefore represent a high risk of being a source of injury to their user by either electrocution or physical impact or penetration wounds from disintegrating, fast-moving parts such as cutting discs or blades.

As an employer or engaging lead contractor, we have a legal obligation to ensure all electric hand tools brought onto our sites are fit for purpose and safe to use.

The following rules apply to all electric hand tools, whether they owned by the Company, the employee or a sub-contractor.

If a tool has not been inspected within the intervals stipulated by our Company Policy based on HSE Guide HSG107, it should not be used on one of our sites.

Battery Electric Hand Tools

The HSE recommend only visual checks by the user to ensure the casing is free form cracks and all the appropriate guards are in place. Our supervisors will carry out visual inspections on site to ensure such tools are fit for purpose and safe to use.

Please note, however, that the chargers for such tools must bear evidence of having been inspected and PAT Tested by a competent person within the last 12 months if they are brought onto site.

110v Portable Electric Tools

The user should visually check the tool, cable and plug for any sign of damage to the casing or lead insulation every time they use it. Tools should not be used if the manufacturer's supplied guards are not in place.

Our site supervisors will visually check all portable electric hand tools at least once a week to ensure all casings, leads and plus are free from damage and that all the guards that should be present are in place.

Each tool must bear evidence of having been inspected and PAT tested by a competent person at least once every three months (90 days).

230v Portable Electric Tools

Many of our clients ban the use of 230v tools on site, and any worker breaching that restriction will be subject to a serious disciplinary review that may result in their dismissal.

The directors have carried out a review of the existing small stock of 230v electric hand tools and have concluded they are in good condition and can continue to be used provided the Company's PAT-testing and visually inspection regime is adhered to. Their intention is to phase out all use of 230v tools on any of our sites by 31st December 2017.

Existing company-owned 230v tools can be used on site up to the 31st December 2017, provided they display a valid PAT-test certifcate dated within the last 30 days. Such tools must be checked by the user to ensure the cable, plug and casing is free from any sign of damage every time they use it. Tools should not be used if the manufacturer's supplied guards are not in place.

Employees can continue to use their own 230v electric tools up to 31st December 2017, provided they display a valid PAT-test certifcate dated within the last 30 days. Such tools must be checked by the user to ensure the cable, plug and casing is free from any sign of damage every time they use it. Tools should not be used if the manufacturer's supplied guards are not in place.

Sub-contractors can continue to use their own 230v electric tools up to 31st December 2017, provided they display a valid PAT-test certifcate dated within the last 30 days. Such tools must be checked by the user to ensure the cable, plug and casing is free from any sign of damage every time they use it. Tools should not be used if the manufacturer's supplied guards are not in place.

Our site supervisors will visually check all portable electric hand tools at least once a week to ensure all casings, leads and plus are free from damage and that all the guards that should be present are in place.

Inspection Completion Forms and Company Policy

1. Supervisor's weekly inspection schedule.

2. Inspection and PAT testing schedule.

3. Company Guide on frequency of inspections based on HSE Guide HSG107.

Marisco Group

Head Office:
Unit J5, The Fulcrum
Vantage Way, Poole, BH12 4NU

Tel: 01202 474001

Email: accounts@mariscosouth.com

Marisco South Ltd is registered with: