The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging businesses to make the safety of workers their top priority for 2014.
The Health and SafetyExecutive (HSE) is urging businesses to make the safety of workers their top priority for 2014.
Hampshire electrical testing company, Intersafe, has backed the appeal, which comes as new figures show 148 people were killed and more than 20,600 workers suffered a major injury at work in 2012/13. Both of these statistics represent an improvement on previous years but the HSE says there is still room for improvement and is urging businesses to focus on their legal responsibility to ensure lives are not put at risk in 2014.
This will inevitably have an impact on facilities managers, who play a key part in ensuring the safety of staff and Intersafe warns that electrical safety should form a major part of facilities managers’ heath and safety strategy.
Managing Director,Adrian Pendle, says: “The dangers that faulty wiring and electrical items can present is huge. A simple loose wire can cause fatal injury and far-reaching impacts on a business. What is sad when these cases arise is that they could have easily been avoided had the business owners ensured their electrical testing was up-to-date.
“Periodic inspection,which is the testing of electrical wiring within a building, should take place every five years for offices and then varies for other types of workplace. PAT testing also needs to take place regularly as part of a preventative maintenance program.
“If businesses are able to ensure these tests are up to date they are going a long way to following the HSE’s advice and ensuring the safety of their workers.”
Not sure how often your workplace needs to be tested to comply with health and safety guidelines? Read Intersafe’s handy online guide.
Need reminding of when your electrical testing is due? Pop your details into our online tool and we’ll automatically remind you when you’re next due for testing.
Alternatively, call the Intersafe team today on 02380 610101 for a competitive quote.
