Travelers Case Study

One way in which risks of non-compliance can be reduced is using external specialists to provide an Electrical Compliance Audit Service.

One example of such a service is jointly offered by NAPIT and Travelers, one of the world’s leading insurance companies, to their policyholders. NAPIT and Travelers have developed an alliance to help businesses determine the extent or otherwise of their compliance against the Electricity at Work 1989 Regulations (EaWR), BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations, and the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).

This service is completed by a competent NAPIT Auditor who will assess three areas;

• Safe Systems of Work
• Safe Place of Work
• Safe People at Work

It involves looking in detail into a number of areas, such as, the presence of risk assessments and method statements, safe working procedures, staff and contractor competence, qualifications and training records, procedures for safe isolation, adequate maintenance records including, programmes of works for undertaking Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), and procedures for the rectification of identified faults.

Compliance Audit Study

A recent typical compliance audit was carried out at a manufacturing facility and examined the documentation and processes and procedures around the Electrical Duty Holder’s responsibilities.

This was a one day on site audit, which is fairly typical and examined;

• A review of past and current Electrical Installation fixed wiring check documentation (EICR’s) and the implementation of the recommendations or observations
• Electrical certification for installation work- Electrical Installation and Minor Works Certificates (EIC’s and MW’s)
• Safe working and control of employees and contractors, via Permit to Work systems
• Competence of those working in and around electrical installations
• General overall condition of the electrical installation through site walkabouts

“The service has proved a real benefit to our customers with specialist external advice identifying weaknesses in their current arrangements which should help reduce the likelihood of electrical fires, business disruption or injuries associated with unsafe conditions”. Richard Harrison, Head of Risk Control at Travelers

Our findings and recommendations following the audit were as follows;

• From the current EICR’s, the findings were not implemented or programmed into a schedule of works. Of a greater concern was that the most critical deficiencies recorded in the EICR (referenced C1 category findings) were not addressed
• Lack of electrical certification for recent fixed wiring installations/modifications. Poor site documentation covering schedules and schematics
• No process or overall control for personnel working in or around electrical installations. Inappropriate Risk Assessments and Method Statements with minimal Permit to Work/safe isolation implementation
• In-house electrical qualifications out of date or missing

Our recommendations included scheduling a programme of works for the current EICR defects and recommending suitable training courses which were available through one of NAPIT’s approved training centres.

Demonstrating compliance with the EAWR

In defending any proceedings for contravention of the EaWR, a person must be able to prove that he or she took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of that offence. By having a comprehensive Compliance Audit of your electrical system, procedures and documentation carried out by an experienced Auditor, you will have clearly demonstrated your commitment to complying with the EaWR.

Further benefits of a compliance audit;

• Potential reduction in risk, including fires of electrical origin or injury to persons
• Risk education – offering industry knowledge and best practice guidance
• Recognition of better risk management by insurers when setting premiums
• Travelers clients benefit from a 10% discounted rate
• Leading technical advice and recommendations following the audit, for example; follow up recommendations, training, Duty Holder support, EICR/defect scheduling