EIAT UK has been awarded accreditation from Alcumus SafeContractor for achieving excellence in health and safety in the workplace.

Alcumus SafeContractor is a leading third party accreditation scheme which recognises extremely rigorous standards in health and safety management amongst contractors. 

It is used by thousands of organisations in the UK including SMEs and FTSE 100 companies.

Based in Watton Norfolk and employing 30 people throughout the east of England, EIAT UK is principally involved in the Electrical Compliance Testing sector, specialising in Fixed Wire Testing, Remedial Repairs, Thermal Imaging, PAT Testing, Schematic Drawing and LED replacement lighting.  EIAT’s most recent clients have included major players such as Greene King, Interserve, Anglian Windows, Carillion, Norwich Airport and Engie.

Application for SafeContractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business.  SafeContractor accreditation will enhance the company’s ability to win new contracts, and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.

Gemma Archibald, Director of Alcumus SafeContractor said: "Major organisations simply cannot afford to run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies in place."

"More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that EIAT has done.  The firm’s high standard has set an example which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector.  SafeContractor plays a vital role in supporting our clients in meeting their compliance needs, whilst working with their contractors as they progress through the accreditation process.”

David Monument Managing Director of EIAT UK explained that “In today’s world Health and Safety is of paramount importance and forms an integral part of the ethos of EIAT UK.  All of our staff undergo regular training in all aspects of health and safety whether they are electricians working on our clients’ premises or office based staff the training is tailored to the needs of the individual.”

“EIAT works in the electrical compliance industry.  The ‘Electricity at Work Regulations’ requires that all electrical systems must be maintained to be safe at all times.  With over 1,000 accidents involving electrical safety reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) annually it is essential to inspect, maintain and comply with current legislation.

Health and Safety legislation is criminal law in the UK.  All business owners, their directors, managers and employees must be compliant with these regulations.  Making sure you are operating in an electrically safe environment and maintaining compliance with safety legislation is vital.

We are proud to have maintained our SafeContractor accreditation and thank Alcumus for all their help and support.”

Call us on 01953 885 000 or email admin@eiatuk.co.uk for more information

“Shockingly over the last year electricity accounted for four house fires a week in the County of Essex the majority of these fires started in the kitchen either caused by faulty wiring or faulty kitchen appliances.”

This statistic is not peculiar to the domestic market but mirrored when looking at the commercial work place.  Over 1,000 accidents involving electrical safety are reported to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) annually with 25% of fires starting from portable appliances.

There is an extensive range of interdependent British and EU standards and legislation that govern the use and maintenance of electrical systems and appliances.  The most prominent Electrical Safety Regulations being:

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 which states that all electrical systems and equipment used in the working environment should be in a safe condition.

The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 which states that Duty Holders have an obligation to test and maintain Emergency Lighting systems to the required safety standard.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the ’duty of care’ upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises.  This includes the self-employed.

The Health and Safety Executive recommend that in order to comply with the regulations an electrical inspection and testing programme should be undertaken at all places of work.

The Institute of Engineering and Technology have compiled the IET Wiring Regulations in accordance with BS 7671.

BS 7671 is the national standard in the United Kingdom for electrical installation and the safety of electrical wiring in domestic, commercial, industrial, and other buildings.  Although the Wiring Regulations are non-statutory, they are referenced in several UK statutory instruments and in most cases, for practical purposes, have legal force as the appropriate minimum standard for electrical installations.

Who is responsible in the Work Place?

Realistically, everyone has a ‘duty of care’ to ensure the safety of others whilst at work; however, the Duty Holder will have the ultimate responsibility for electrical safety.

To ensuring that adequate records are being kept it is essential to carry out Fixed Wire Testing, PAT and Emergency Lighting Inspection in accordance with BS7671. By implementing this practice, the Duty Holder can be assured that their legal obligations in so far as electrical safety is concerned have been addressed.

EIAT works extensively throughout Essex carrying out electrical compliance testing, Fixed Wire Testing, PAT testing and Emergency Lighting Inspection for our clients, helping the community of Essex to remain safe at work.