Safe Handling, Inspection and Maintenance of Portable Electrical Tools

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course covers the safe handling, inspection and maintenance of portable electrical tools and equipment. Participants learn how electricity causes injury, how to read equipment class markings, how to check tools before use, how to carry out recorded visual inspections and PAT tests, and what to do when something goes wrong.

PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS & TARGET GROUP

The course is for technicians, site workers, supervisors and HSE officers — anyone who selects, uses or looks after portable electrical equipment at work. Participants should be 18 or older with some background in a construction or industrial setting. No prior electrical qualification is needed..

COURSE DURATION

One day; 3 contact hours in a single session. Recommended class size: up to 40.

MODE OF DELIVERY

• Classroom presentation with PowerPoint slides and visual aids

• Live PAT test demonstration using a calibrated instrument

• Hands-on rating-plate exercise: participants identify equipment class and correct flex type

• Practical pre-use checks on real tools, plugs, cables and extension leads

• Group workshop using real workplace accident scenarios

• Knowledge check quiz with trainer debrief
  
  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Participants who complete the course will be able to:

1. Explain how electric shock injures the body and name the two ways a person can be exposed

2. Read the rating plate of any appliance, identify its class (I, II or III) and describe how each class protects the user

3. Match equipment type and work environment to the correct inspection and test frequency

4. Complete a pre-use check on a tool, plug, cable and extension lead

5. Describe what a formal visual inspection and a PAT test each involve: earth continuity, insulation resistance, leakage and functional checks

6. Follow safe handling rules for tools, extension leads, adaptors and RCDs on site

7. Respond correctly when faulty equipment is found, and act appropriately in an electric shock emergency
   
   

COURSE CONTENT

• Why portable tools carry the highest injury risk of any workplace electrical equipment

• How electric shock affects the body: current levels and the two routes to contact

• Legal duties: what the employer, supervisor, competent tester and each user are responsible for

• Equipment classes: Class I (earthed), Class II (double insulated), Class III (SELV)

• Equipment types and work environments: how risk level sets inspection frequency

• User checks before every use: plug, flex, socket, RCD, appliance body and working environment

• Formal visual inspection (recorded): plug wiring, fuse rating, cable condition throughout

• Combined inspection and PAT testing: earth continuity, insulation resistance, leakage and functional tests

• Extension leads, adaptors, RCDs and site power: correct use and common failure modes

• Nine rules for the safe handling and care of portable tools

• Record keeping: equipment register, test records, faulty equipment log and repair register

• Electric shock emergency response: step by step

• Use-case workshop: four workplace scenarios worked through in groups

ASSESSMENT

• Written knowledge check: 12 short-answer questions across all topics

• Practical check: participant walks through a full pre-use inspection on a tool, observed by the trainer
  
  

CERTIFICATE

On successful completion participants will be awarded the ETIWA Certificate of Achievement

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