HSE - Laptop computer charging trolleys safety alert

[JSchlackman]

This Heath & Safety Executive alert has been doing the rounds on Twitter today, and although its actually a few years old and has been posted about before, I think it's worth a read for those who weren't here when it came out in 2009:

 

Guidance - Laptop computer charging trolleys safety alert

 

A HSE investigation into an electric shock incident involving a laptop charging trolley found that when a 3-pin plug supplying the trolley was removed from the supply socket there was sufficient stored electric charge on the pins of the plug to give the user an electric shock. In addition some trolleys have been identified that have two supply cables contrary to good electrical engineering practice, inadequate plug and cable storage facilities and unsuitable earth terminations.

 

If your laptop trolley does not have a written Declaration of Conformity and a valid CE mark, you need to take action.

 

The guidance the HSE lay out for non-CE marked trolleys is important because even if you think some of the steps they recommend are over the top, anyone investigating an incident in future will lay the blame squarely with the school if the guidance has not been followed.

 

Trolleys with a valid CE mark should need no further action (note the HSE wording before the action items: "The following recommendations are for situations where laptop computer charging trolleys remain in use where there is no Declaration of Conformity and CE marking"). That said, some of the advice is good practice even for those that conform with the regulations.

 

 

So, anyone got a trolley that isn't CE marked? Just checked our Bretford again and looks like we're in the clear.

Edited February 22, 2013 by JSchlackman