Inspection and Audit of Registered Electrical Contractors by the Safety Supervisory Body is fundamental to the operation of the electrical safety scheme. Essentially an inspection and audit programme provides verification that the registered contractors are compliant with the rules of registration. In addition it allows for corrective action to take place in the event non compliances are identified by the inspector.
The CER are now introducing a Performance Marking system which will assist all inspectors of both Safety Supervisory Bodies to evaluate registered contractors in a fair and consistent manner.
The marking form which will be used is shown here. Sections A to E cover the audit and sections F to M cover the inspection of the electrical installation work. The inspector will tick the items which are in order but where items are non-compliant penalty points in accordance with the numbers shown on the form are allocated to the contractor. The points in the red boxes are considered to be more serious breaches than the breaches in the amber boxes. The total of any penalty points awarded by the inspector is recorded on the contractors file and will be inputted to the Safety Bodies database for performance monitoring and development of a risk based inspection programme. Where penalty points equal or exceed certain limits the Safety Body will at its discretion apply one or more of the following options:
- Specified training to correct deficiencies
- Initiate a regime of inspection (including other installations self-certified by the contractor if breaches found are a concern for safety) including unannounced inspections
- Issue formal warning to the contractor to correct deficiencies
- Withdrawal of self-certification privileges pending completion of corrective actions
- Initiate disciplinary proceedings against the contractor
- The CER have instructed that this new Inspection and Audit procedure is to start on 1st of July 2010.
Click here to view the 'New Performance Marking' in full size (found on Page 3)