Built In Electric Ovens – safety notice

The following notice has been published in the UK  national press:

SINGLE BUILT-IN ELECTRIC OVENS
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

OWNERS OF THE ABOVE APPLIANCES MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY ON THIS SAFETY NOTICE.

Our quality control programme has identified under certain circumstances there is a potential risk of fire whilst using the grill function on a limited number of Single Built In Electric Ovens branded Electrolux, Zanussi-Electrolux, Moffat and Tricity Bendix.

News – Product recall:Travels Worldwide iPod and MP3 Charger sold at ASDA

Travels Worldwide iPod and MP3 Charger sold at ASDA

Product name: Travels Worldwide iPod and MP3 Charger sold at ASDA

Retailer:    ASDA

RRP: £10.00

Product description : As part of our ongoing quality checks we have found that the above ‘Travels’ Worldwide iPod & MP3 Charger does not meet our high quality expectations.
The charger is supplied with three plug pin attachments. It is possible to plug in these attachments directly to the electrical mains supply without the charger fitted. When plugged in, these plug attachments can potentially allow access to hazardous voltages. As there is a risk of electrocution, we have decided to recall this model.
We are pleased to say that no one has been hurt.

Model or type: Model numbers AC70USB

Barcode: 5060123866100

Instructions: If you own one of these worldwide iPod & MP3 chargers, disconnect it from the mains supply and stop using it. Bring back the charger to your nearest store and we’ll give you your money back. You don’t need the packaging or the receipt. It goes without saying we are very sorry indeed.
For further information please contact ASDA Customer Relations.

Date: 8/6/2009

News: Product Recall – Universal laptop adaptor MEIND

Product name: MEIND.

Product description: Laptop AC/DC adaptor. The set was also marked with Swiss, Demko, Cebec, Fimko, VDE, Semko, Nemko, Ove and Kema Keur approval marks.

Country of origin: China

Risk type: Electric shock, burns and injuries

Risk description: The product poses a risk of electric shock because:
- the internal insulation is not sufficient between live parts and the metal enclosure or between the input and output circuits. The appliance connector contacts are too close to the engagement surface,
- the cross-sectional area of the wires of the supply cord is too small for the rating of the connector; the supply cord is marked as having 0.75 mm2, but the actual size is only 0.5 mm2,
- the plug is not fitted with a fuse. The only means of protection against overload or short circuit would be the device at the source of the mains supply.
The product does not comply with the Low Voltage Directive and the relevant European standard EN 60950.

Instructions: Voluntary withdrawal from the market and recall from consumers by the importer.

Reduce risk of fire at home

Although the main causes of fires in the home are smouldering cigarettes and unattended chip pans, electrical fires due to faulty appliances are on the rise. As consumers, we are purchasing more and more electrical goods… and we may be taking their safety for granted. Some 8,000 fires are reported in the UK as having been caused by electrical faults. And many more incidents go unreported.

However, it’s not only fires we should be concerned about but also injuries like burns and electric shocks. We should be particularly aware when there are children living in the home.

Electrical Appliance Fire Safety

Instead of relying only on smoke dectectors, why not make doubly sure your family is protected by having all your portable appliances PAT tested? Testing does not take long and can be arranged to fit in with your working hours so you need not take time off work. I test all appliances that are plugged into wall-socket, e.g. audio equipment, TVs and video equipment, kettles, toasters, hairdryers, kitchen appliances and all other portable appliances.

Contact me on 01656 658664 or 07795 373090 for a special domestic rate and another reason to feel safe in your home.

More information:

What to check for

There are particular danger signs you should look out for on all the electrical items you have around your home:

• hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow frequently, flickering lights, and scorch marks on sockets or plugs – these are all signs of loose wiring or other problems that should be fixed
• badly wired plugs – if you can see the coloured wires sticking out, they can come loose and debris can also get into the plug
• frayed power leads – the outer covering of all power leads should be in good condition and not damaged
• repaired power leads – split or frayed leads should not just be taped over as this is not a secure repair; they should be replaced
• overloaded sockets – too many electrical appliances plugged into one socket or adapter can overload it, which will lead to overheating
• badly positioned cables – they should not be anywhere they could be tripped over, or near to water, or close to cookers or other sources of heat
• don’t run cables under rugs or carpets where they can wear through without anyone noticing
• cables and plugs should never be in danger of getting wet – so don’t put a vase of flowers on the TV, for example

Keep electrical items in good working order

Follow these guidelines to keep your electrical items safe to use:

• maintenance – electrical appliances (especially ones that run at high speeds and contain motors, like the washing machine) should be serviced once a year by a qualified electrician
• wire plugs carefully – the outer covering of the power lead should go inside the plug and be secured there; all the wires inside should be held firmly in place
• use sockets safely – it’s better to use a bar adaptor on a lead than a block adaptor; only use one adaptor per socket and don’t plug an adaptor into an adaptor
• don’t allow the total current used by the appliances plugged into the adaptor to add up to more than 13 amps all together
• throw away damaged cables – if a lead has a crack or hole in it, stop using it; it’s safer to replace, rather than repair
• turn off and unplug – if you’re not using electrical appliances, turn them off at the wall and unplug them (unless the appliance is designed to be left on, like a video player that displays the time)
• use the right fuses in your plugs – they are designed to stop overheating; follow the guidance below to find the right one

Appliances up to:

700 watts = 3 amp fuse

700-1000 watts = 5 amp fuse

1000+ watts = 13 amp fuse

Dealing with an electrical fire

Only if it is safe to do so, pull the plug out, or switch off the power at the fuse box – sometimes this can stop the fire immediately. Never use water on an electrical fire and don’t take any risks – get everyone out and dial 999.

News: Product recall Dyson – Motorhead vacuum cleaner DC22

Product: Dyson – Motorhead vacuum cleaner DC22

Country of manufacture: Malaysia

Risk type: Electric shock

Risk description: The product poses a risk of electric shock because the hose on the item carries an electric cable to the wand and the motorised cleaning head. Five instances have occurred where the hose has become excessively worn, resulting in exposure of electric cables, which, if touched by the user could cause an electric shock.

Affected Products: Motorhead Vacuum Cleaner DC22 MTHD EU AC-511-EU-XXXXXX, DC22 MTHD CH AC-511-CH-XXXXXX

Instructions: Voluntary corrective actions taken by the manufacturer.

Date: 12th May 2009

What is PAT?

PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) should be part of any company’s  Health & Safety policy, whether the business be large or small. It has been stated by the Health & Safety Executive that 25% of all accidents in the workplace are small appliance related. Therefore it is extremely important that, in order to comply with the Electricity at Work regulations, all firms take responsibility for ensuring all portable electric appliances be subject to a systematic, regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing:

• 1. Where appliances are used by employees.
• 2. Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc.
• 3. Where appliances are supplied or hired.
• 4. Where appliances are repaired or serviced.

The Institution of Electrical Engineers publish the “Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment” (ISBN: 978-0-86341-833-4) . This guide forms the basis for portable appliance testing in the U.K.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes the self employed.

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states:

“Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:

• (a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work, and
• (b) the risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking.”

A PAT tester is qualified to test the appliances in loco, i.e. where they are in use.

This is the testing carried out as a routine to determine whether the equipment is in a satisfactory condition.

In-Service testing will involve the following:

• (a) Preliminary inspection
• (b) Earth continuity tests (for Class 1 equipment)
• (c) Insulation testing (Which may sometimes be substituted by earth leakage measurement)
• (d) Functional checks.

Electrical testing should be performed by a person who is competent in the safe use of the test equipment and who knows how to interpret the test results obtained. This person must be capable of inspecting the equipment and, where necessary, dismantling it to check the cable connections.

The IEE Code of Practice states, those carrying out the inspection and testing must be competent to undertake the inspection and, where appropriate, testing of electrical equipment and appliances having due regard of their own safety and that of others. What should be considered is that the ‘danger’ to be prevented, includes not just the dangers which may arise during the testing procedure to the tester and others, but also the dangers which may arise at a later date as a result of using equipment which has not been effectively tested.

The tester must have an understanding of the modes of electrical, mechanical or thermal damage to electrical equipment and appliances and their flexes which may be encountered in any environment.