January 2000 New Guidance Complements Latest Quarries Regulations The Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) has produced Guidelines for the Periodic Testing and Examination of Fixed Low Voltage Electrical Installations at Quarries, in response to the new Quarries Regulations 1999, which came into force on the 1st January 2000. Under the regulations, a quarry manger or operator must have an up to date suitable written scheme for the systematic inspection and maintenance of all plant used in a quarry. Where necessary, examination, testing and repair must also be included. In particular, the written scheme should state the frequency and detail of inspection and any qualifications required for persons carrying out the inspections. Richard Morgan, Technical Director of SAFed said. "We have reviewed how tests should be undertaken and what constitutes good practice for periodic examination and testing so as to take advantage of new techniques, modern test equipment, and the changing requirements of legislation. The findings of this review process have culminated in the production of our guidelines." Support for SAFed's guidelines has been given by the Quarries National Interest Group, the HSE and by the engineers within the quarrying industry. They represent what is regarded to be good practice and a model to be used when designing periodic examination and testing schemes which form part of the duties placed on quarry operators. The guidelines provide details of recommended tests and examinations which may be applied to electrical installations in Quarries, together with a description of the technical rationale behind them and the recommended periodicity for undertaking such tests and examinations. In addition, they set down the procedures to be implemented in order to undertake correctly the recommended tests and examinations and also to achieve accurate information and results. Ends Back to Press Release Index Notes to editors. SAFed's Guidelines for the Periodic Testing and Examination of Fixed Low Voltage Electrical Installations at Quarries is available from: SAFed Publications, Nutmeg House, 60 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NY. Phone +44 (0)20 7403 0987 Fax +44 (0)20 7403 0137 E mail info@safed.co.uk Price per copy: £25 (inclusive of postage and packing).