Warwickshire News Mine

Safety testing of portable electric tools such as drills, strimmers, wallpaper strippers, hedge trimmers, sanders, lawnmowers, battery chargers, pressure washers, carpet cleaners, angle grinders, welders, compressors and routers is being provided by Warwickshire Trading Standards Service.

Using electric tools for DIY or gardening is particularly hazardous because of the conditions we use them in, dust inside and water and damp conditions outside. In addition, the extremes of weather can also make equipment deteriorate faster outdoors and therefore be more dangerous to use.

The risks of injury or death from electric shock are greatly increased because of wet conditions and physical contact with the ground. Most of these tools are not used very often and also tend to be stored in cold, damp garages and sheds, so testing of this equipment is crucial.

The one off testing programme, funded by a grant from the Electrical Safety Council, supports the product safety work that is a very important area of work for Warwickshire Trading Standards Service.

Testing will be available on the following dates at the venues below:

Monday 1st March Rugby
Brownsover Community Information Centre
Hollowell Way, Rugby

Tuesday 2nd March Atherstone
North Warwickshire Borough Council
The Council House, South Street, Atherstone

Wednesday 3rd March Nuneaton
Nuneaton Fire Station,
Newtown Road, Nuneaton

Thursday 4th March Leamington Spa
Lillington Youth Centre,
Mason Avenue, Lillington, Leamington Spa

The booking hotline is now open, telephone or email:

01926 736477
(Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

patesting@warwickshire.gov.uk

Bookings for safety checks are available by appointment only and will be taken on a first come first served basis.The number of appointments is limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

If you are unable to take advantage of the testing programme, you can do a visual check of your goods by checking the warning signs below. Around 95% of faults or damage can be found by just taking a good look at the tools, switches, cable and plug.

Signs to look out for that could spell danger:

Hot plugs & sockets
Brown scorch marks on sockets & plugs
Damage to the cable covering the internal wires, e.g. cuts & abrasions
Damage to the plug, e.g. cracked casing or bent pins
Non standard joints, including taped joints, on the cable
Outer covering of the plug not entering the plug leaving exposed the internal coloured wires
Tools that have been used in conditions which are unsuitable, outside, wet or damp conditions
Tools that have been incorrectly stored
Damage to the outer covering of the appliance or obvious loose parts or screws
Never use a power tool which is damaged in any way (case, switch or cable etc.)
If a tool starts to make an odd noise or emit smells – stop using the device and get it checked by an expert.
Overheating, burn marks or stains on the appliance

If you see something that indicates the product might be unsafe stop using it and seek expert advice.

Warwickshire Trading Standards Service recommends the use of circuit breakers (RCD’s) at all times when electrical equipment is used in the garden to prevent electric shocks.

An RCD works by automatically switching off the electricity when it detects an earth fault, this can happen when a cable is mowed over or cut through. We have a number of RCD’s and extension cables to give away to residents who have equipment tested.

For a complete guide to electrical safety in the home visit the Warwickshire website: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards

Link to WCC