A whole new approach to electrical safety at work

06 February 2013

Seaward’s latest electrical tester establishes a brand new approach to portable appliance testing and maintaining workplace safety.

Uniquely, the innovative new Apollo 600 is equipped with an integral digital camera and onboard risk assessment tools to assist the user and ensure a proportionate response to the inspection and testing of electrical equipment in line with the latest guidance.

To do this Apollo 600 brings together a range of useful tools to ensure risk assessments are carried out correctly and that results are stored against sites, locations and assets along with visual evidence if required.

In addition to electrical testing, the new instrument also provides a simple and effective means of compiling complete reports for many other workplace inspections and testing requirements including fire alarm and detection systems

The combined risk assessment and electrical safety inspection and testing capabilities of Apollo 600 have been specially designed to mirror the latest advice provided by HSE and the fourth edition of the IET Code of Practice for compliance with the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989, and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

This new guidance stresses the importance of taking a structured approach to risk assessment for the determination of equipment inspection and testing intervals. This puts a new emphasis on the roles of the duty holder and the person performing the inspection and testing in the determination of retest intervals and the management of test results.

Apollo 600 includes all of the electrical safety tests required by the IET Code of Practice including, earth continuity, insulation resistance at 250V or 500V, protective conductor current, touch current, IEC lead polarity and portable RCD trip time, without the risk of tripping the installation RCD.

In addition to testing plug in appliances, the Apollo 600 is also fully equipped to test permanently connected and 3 phase electrical equipment as required by the new Code of Practice.

For broader safety requirements, the new tester can also record a wide range of other health and safety inspections and tests, including fire detection and alarm systems, and emergency lighting checks, together with the ability to output a wide range of safety labels and test reports and certificates.

All of this data can be linked with PAT results to provide a comprehensive workplace monitoring systems for health and safety matters.

The introduction of Apollo 600 is complemented by upgraded test results management software in the form of the PATGuard 3 program. The improved features of this high performance software include an intuitive user Interface that allows data to be downloading quickly and reports to be created easily.

The software enables users to tag photographs to assets, sites, locations and test results with the built in universal risk assessment tool allowing full recording and reporting of hazards and any corrective actions needed.

The new Apollo 600 and PATGuard 3 software are the latest additions to a comprehensive range of PAT testers, accessories and training materials provided by Seaward to help maintain electrical safety in the workplace. For full details of the new tester visit www.apollo600.com

Free PAT Seminars

To provide a broader understanding of the new fourth edition of the IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, Seaward is hosting a series of free breakfast seminars on topic.

The seminar will explain the changes in the new Code and how it will affect those involved in PAT testing or with a responsibility to ensure a safe working environment.

Topics to be covered will include a risk based-approach to testing, the implications for fixed appliances and what to do about hired equipment.

For full details visit: http://www.seaward.co.uk/userfiles/form-cop-workshops.php