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An update from HSE (Health and Safety Executive)
With reference to your query re the Safety Alert issued regarding socket covers.
There are no Health and Safety regulations that either require or ban the use of socket covers and therefore HSE has a neutral position on their use.
3-pin sockets of the type referred to should be manufactured in accordance with British Standard (BS) 1363. Compliant modern domestic and general equipment will have a shutter system that prevents access to live parts when the socket is not in use. When a 3-pin plug is offered up to the socket the earth pin (which is the top pin that is slightly longer than the two below in a standard plug) will push the shutter from its usual position and allow the live and neutral pins to enter the socket. The risk of anyone accessing live parts of such a socket is considered to be low due to this feature and there should therefore be no need to use a socket protector on this type of equipment. It is however a matter for the duty holder at the premises to consider the particular circumstances to determine the most appropriate means of protection. The ‘safe construction’ and maintenance of the socket outlet is the most important factor from our perspective. The Safety Alert provides advice about the risk within the NHS environment but we would see it as useful information to reference as part of any risk assessment.
There is no British Standard for socket covers that sits as part of, or alongside the requirements for the wall socket held within BS 1363. Therefore we would not advise directly on the use or otherwise of the covers. What we would advise is a Risk Assessment (RA) is done that considers whether extra measures are required. If the RA identified that extra measures were needed to reduce risks further, then care is needed so that any extra measures should not create more risks. The guidance provided by the alert appears sensible and contains further links to The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) guidance which HSE has referred people to previously. It also has links to the Fatally Flawed site which includes links to other information, in particular a written submission to a Consumer Rights Bill Committee in 2014. I have also added links below to references about socket protectors by ROSPA and the Child Accident Prevention Trust. You may also be interested in the response from OFSTED to a parent enquiry on the topic (via mumsnet) in the final link I have included below.
http://www.rospa.com/home-safety/resources/policy-statements/electricity/
http://www.capt.org.uk/safety-advice/keeping-children-safe-electric-shocks
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childminders_nannies_au_pairs_etc/946800-Ofsted-policy-on-Socket-Covers
With regards to the "There are no Health and Safety regulations that either require or ban the use of socket covers...." I am going to give them some electrical standards that will apply, when I have some spare time to look through the regs. First ones are 133.1.1, 133.1.3...
Can you guys help me out with this and post some.
They have also replied by using a 'no-reply email address'.... Do you ever get the feeling that some people just love putting their heads in the sand and just ignoring everything....
With reference to your query re the Safety Alert issued regarding socket covers.
There are no Health and Safety regulations that either require or ban the use of socket covers and therefore HSE has a neutral position on their use.
3-pin sockets of the type referred to should be manufactured in accordance with British Standard (BS) 1363. Compliant modern domestic and general equipment will have a shutter system that prevents access to live parts when the socket is not in use. When a 3-pin plug is offered up to the socket the earth pin (which is the top pin that is slightly longer than the two below in a standard plug) will push the shutter from its usual position and allow the live and neutral pins to enter the socket. The risk of anyone accessing live parts of such a socket is considered to be low due to this feature and there should therefore be no need to use a socket protector on this type of equipment. It is however a matter for the duty holder at the premises to consider the particular circumstances to determine the most appropriate means of protection. The ‘safe construction’ and maintenance of the socket outlet is the most important factor from our perspective. The Safety Alert provides advice about the risk within the NHS environment but we would see it as useful information to reference as part of any risk assessment.
There is no British Standard for socket covers that sits as part of, or alongside the requirements for the wall socket held within BS 1363. Therefore we would not advise directly on the use or otherwise of the covers. What we would advise is a Risk Assessment (RA) is done that considers whether extra measures are required. If the RA identified that extra measures were needed to reduce risks further, then care is needed so that any extra measures should not create more risks. The guidance provided by the alert appears sensible and contains further links to The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) guidance which HSE has referred people to previously. It also has links to the Fatally Flawed site which includes links to other information, in particular a written submission to a Consumer Rights Bill Committee in 2014. I have also added links below to references about socket protectors by ROSPA and the Child Accident Prevention Trust. You may also be interested in the response from OFSTED to a parent enquiry on the topic (via mumsnet) in the final link I have included below.
http://www.rospa.com/home-safety/resources/policy-statements/electricity/
http://www.capt.org.uk/safety-advice/keeping-children-safe-electric-shocks
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childminders_nannies_au_pairs_etc/946800-Ofsted-policy-on-Socket-Covers
With regards to the "There are no Health and Safety regulations that either require or ban the use of socket covers...." I am going to give them some electrical standards that will apply, when I have some spare time to look through the regs. First ones are 133.1.1, 133.1.3...
Can you guys help me out with this and post some.
They have also replied by using a 'no-reply email address'.... Do you ever get the feeling that some people just love putting their heads in the sand and just ignoring everything....