NHS issues safety alert on socket covers requiring removal from NHS premises!

[FatallyFlawed]

The NHS has just published a safety alert about socket covers which requires them to be removed from all NHS premises!

It says: "This Alert is issued to highlight how, in certain circumstances, the use of plastic 13A (13 amp) electrical socket inserts (sold as safety accessories) can overcome the safety features designed into socket outlets.13A electrical socket inserts should not be used in health or social care premises, nor supplied for use in a home or residence. Any socket inserts currently in use should be withdrawn from use and responsibly disposed of."

There is a full explanation here.

 

[Spoon]

https://www.cas.dh.gov.uk/ViewandAcknowledgment/ViewAlert.aspx?AlertID=102494
The full Department of Health directive and if you follow the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] link it will lead to the PDF where you will find it also applies to OFSTED regulated premises.

Help please. I can't see where it says it applies to OFSTED regulated premises in the 2nd link PDF.

 

[netblindpaul]

Back in I think the late 80's the NHS actually banned under a HTM the use of MK sockets in all NHS premises as the "new" shutter they used didn't need the earth pin and could be operated by any 2 pin plug, Crabtree then became the preferred brand while MK failed to tackle this known problem for many years, while they have now fixed the problem (not sure when) there are many more manufacturers in the marketplace to chose from now and having made such a poor modification with safety issues to their sockets back then MK has lost the trust they had with a lot of sparks who have moved on to other brands

The thing with that is that the two live pins actuating mechanism is valid under BS1363 and always has been, however, the pins must be rectangular and, compliant with BS1363 themselves, thus it is impossible ti open them with a round pin "euro" plug.
This is one of the issues with "socket protectors" they don't have to be designed to the pin dimensions of BS1363.

 

[Marvo]

From what I can gather this directive is legally binding for all NHS premises in the UK (please correct me if I'm wrong) so I've pinned this thread for now to get it better attention.

 

[netblindpaul]

From what I can gather this directive is legally binding for all NHS premises in the UK (please correct me if I'm wrong) so I've pinned this thread for now to get it better attention.

You are correct Marvo, it is legally binding for all NHS premises throughout the whole of the NHS estate in the UK.
This will also have further ramifications.
Thank goodness.

 

[Marvo]

^^agreed, it's long overdue.

 

[kingeri]

Just need to get them out of schools now though!

 

[Spoon]

I have emailed OFSTED the NHS alert link yesterday and asked if they have a similar alert. When I get a reply I will post it.

 

[Andy78]

Afaik ofsted have had a neutral stance on these for a few years now. They did insist on their use at one point though.

 

[Spoon]

Afaik ofsted have had a neutral stance on these for a few years now. They did insist on their use at one point though.

Lets see what they say when they read the NHS alert. See if they still sit on the fence... I can't see how they can though.

 

[Spoon]

Just in case anyone else would like to email OFSTED and ask them, below is there email address.
'[email protected]'

I wonder what they would do if they got load of emails asking about the NHS alert and if it also applied to OFSTED a well...

 

[Flanders]

I've started noting it as information on EICRs. I see them in nurserys and schools all the time I also point the caretaker in the direction of you tube if they don't believe me that they are unsafe

 

[NDG Elecs]

I've started noting it as information on EICRs. I see them in nurserys and schools all the time I also point the caretaker in the direction of you tube if they don't believe me that they are unsafe

It's dead easy to give a quick physical demonstration.
My missus doubted me about these things. So I got a voltstick and driver out and showed her the issue. She couldn't believe how flimsy some of the covers are.

To FF. Are you campaigning about the narrowed extension sockets which allow a standard (earth pin of a) plug to be inserted upside down? If not you should do, as these are even easier to open the shutters than the socket protectors in my view.

 

[JohnnyRingmain]

Any update on this from Ofsted?

Sent from my HTC Desire 626 using Tapatalk

 

[Spoon]

Any update on this from Ofsted?

No mate. I have been told that they are not quick about replying to queries. I will bug them again tomorrow if I haven't had a response.

 

[UNG]

No mate. I have been told that they are not quick about replying to queries. I will bug them again tomorrow if I haven't had a response.

Ofsted were quick enough to have a go at my brother's nursery when a potential customer complained that they weren't using these horrible socket covers, so much for sitting on the fence it had to be pointed out to them that they do just that