Inspection and Testing of Installations

The Safety Health & Welfare at Work (General-Application-Regulations) 2007   sets out general duties for the testing of new and existing installations.  Regulation 89 of the legislation states

 “An employer shall ensure that—

(a) a new electrical installation and a major alteration of, or extension to,

an existing electrical installation is, after completion, inspected and

tested by a competent person …………………………………………

(b) an existing electrical installation is tested by a competent person in an

appropriate manner–

(i) from time to time where required having regard to the nature,

location and use of the installation, or

(ii) if an inspector so requires,

and a report of the test is completed by the competent person carrying out the test,

…………………………………………………………….

(d) all defects found during the testing and inspection of an electrical installation are rectified promptly so as to prevent danger.

The HSA has issued a Guidance Note giving a practical interpretation of the legislation to assist persons who have responsibilities in the area of electrical installations. This has been prepared following wide consultation across industry, including state bodies, groups representing employers, employees, contractors and other interested parties.

Guidance-Note on Periodic Inspection and Testing

Testing and certification should only be carried out by persons competent to do so.

Every new installation and every major alteration or extension to an existing installation, after completion and before being made live, must be inspected and tested so as to verify that the requirements of this part of the Regulations have been fulfilled. However, certain types of test may only be made after an installation has been made live. All the appropriate information, including diagrams of connections, wiring diagrams, charts, tables, schedules, equipment ratings and the like, must be available to the person or persons carrying out the verification. Precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of persons and to avoid damage to the installation and equipment during inspection and testing.

Where the installation is an extension or alteration of an existing installation, it must be verified that the extension or alteration complies with this part of the Regulations and does not impair the safety of the existing installation.