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When it comes to electricity, you can’t play it too safe. Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, employers have a legal duty to ensure that the electrical installations on their premises are safe, to minimise the risk of a serious or fatal accident. A fundamental part of this duty of care is to ensure that electrical safety testing is conducted regularly to comply with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements for robust levels of inspection and reporting, particularly in buildings that are open to the public.

Due to rigorous testing practices and strict safety legislation, the UK has an enviable record of electrical safety, yet many accidents in the workplace as a result of electric shock are recorded every year. UK law requires that businesses ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in a safe condition, to protect employees and the public from harm. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is widely used to help businesses and non-commercial organisations, such as schools and hospitals, to meet their obligations.

Fire alarms are an essential safeguard of personal safety and their presence is mandatory to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Properly installing these systems should be a top priority and there are a handful of recommendations to keep in mind. Here are 4 factors to keep in mind.

In this article we consider the different types of boiler systems and which is best for large public sector organisations, particularly concerning price, reliability and operating costs over the long term.

Business directories and phone books list numerous electrical contractors, but how does one select the right firm of electricians? When projects are ambitious or non-standard in terms of their goals and involve significant expenditure, the choice of supplier becomes all the more important. Factors such as good communication, capacity, and compatibility with one’s business ethos need due consideration, too. Here we list some points to contemplate when choosing an electrical contractor.

Image: Lowe and Oliver undertook the complete Mechanical & Electrical installation of a new six storey Bournemouth University Student Building.

As a facilities manager, it’s important to know when your maintenance staff can undertake a job, and when you need to call in the big guns. While your onsite engineers can happily cope with the day-to-day breakdowns and maintenance routines of your university’s hot water system, it is often more cost-effective to call in specialist mechanical contractors for breakdowns, extensive upgrades and large-scale installations. How though, do you pick the right company?

As a company responsible for electrical and mechanical works on some of the UK’s most prestigious historic houses, public buildings, and industrial and commercial properties, Lowe & Oliver has to comply with a large number of Health and Safety and Electrical Regulations at Work (codes of practice), to ensure the safe installation, operation and maintenance of electrical supply and appliances. The following is an overview of four of the main areas of accountability.

As the manager or operator of any commercial premises in the UK, you are bound by Health and Safety legislation to ensure the safety of employees and any members of the public visiting those premises. A log should be kept of all assessments, findings, actions taken, when they were carried out, and by whom (must be a qualified electrician).

Out of sight, out of mind could well apply to most peoples’ thinking when it comes to their home or workplace electrics. It’s one of those (relatively) modern miracles nobody gives a thought about – until it starts going wrong.