Healthcare: Doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeries

A guide to inspection frequencies

Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Periodic inspections and/or thorough examinations on their plant and equipment form part of this vital duty, whilst also ensuring employer conformity to applicable health and safety legislation.

Plant and equipment within the workplace needs to be examined and properly maintained to ensure it is safe to operate, and that it complies with applicable health and safety legislation; requiring statutory examinations at specific intervals, which exist outside normal equipment maintenance and servicing procedures.

Regular inspections may also serve as a good preventative maintenance programme to ensure the integrity of plant and equipment; helping to minimise machinery breakdowns and production downtime.

Inspection frequencies

Different types and categories of equipment have varying inspection frequencies according to applicable health and safety legislation.

Typical equipment and installations found within doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeries are listed below, together with the applicable legislation.

UK

Lifting

Applicable legislation (1)	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months)
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998	Passenger lift	6

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable.

Boiler/Pressure

Applicable legislation (1)	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months) (2)
Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000	Autoclave/steam steriliser	14
	Air receiver (>250 bar/litres)	26
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998	Refrigeration and air conditioning systems (<25 kW) (3)	12
	Hot water boiler (<110ºC) (3)	12
	Expansion vessel (used for hot water systems)	12

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable. (2) Examination intervals for statutory pressure systems are dictated by a Written Scheme of Examination; a legal document that details the items within the pressure system, including protective devices, and outlines the inspection frequency and requirements. (3) The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations are applicable if the item is used by employees at a place of work.

Electrical/Mechanical Plant

Applicable legislation (1)	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998	Alternator	12

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Applicable legislation (1)	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months)
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002	Fume extraction	14
	Dust extraction (metallic: dentistry)	6/14 (2)
	Dust extraction (non-metallic)	14

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable. (2) 6-month frequency if used for more than 12 hours per week. Otherwise, a 14-month frequency.

Electrical Systems

Applicable legislation (1)	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months) (2)
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989	Low voltage electrical installations: medical clinical areas	12
	Low voltage electrical installations: general areas	60
	Portable appliances	12

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable. (2) The frequency of period inspection for electrical systems, installations and equipment covered by the Electricity at Work Regulations is dependent on the type and use of the installation, the quality and frequency of maintenance and any external influences which the installation may be subject to.

Ireland

Lifting

Applicable legislation	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months)
S.I. No. 299 of 2007: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Passenger lift	6

Boiler/Pressure

Applicable legislation	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months)
S.I. No. 445 of 2012: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2012	Autoclave/steam steriliser	14
	Air receiver (>250 bar/litres)	26
S.I. No. 299 of 2007 (Regulation 30): Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Refrigeration and air conditioning systems (<25 kW)	12
	Hot water boiler (<110ºC)	12
	Expansion vessel (used for hot water systems)	12

Electrical/Mechanical Plant

Applicable legislation	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months)
S.I. No. 299 of 2007 (Regulation 30): Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Alternator	12

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Applicable legislation	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months) (1)
Health & Safety Authority: Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Guidance document	Fume extraction	12
	Dust extraction (metallic: dentistry)	12
	Dust extraction (non-metallic)	12

(1) Unless specified otherwise by the manufacturer.

Electrical Systems

Applicable legislation	Typical equipment	Inspection frequency (months)
S.I. No. 299 of 2007 (Part 3): Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Low voltage electrical installations: medical clinical areas	60 - Hospitals (1)
		12 - Operating theatres (1)
	Low voltage electrical installations: general areas	12-60 (1)
	Portable appliances	3-60 (2)

(1) Unless specified otherwise by a risk assessment/the manufacturer. (2) A general guide dependent on location, and unless specified otherwise by a risk assessment/the manufacturer.

How HSB can help

HSB Inspection Services: Our network of competent, multi-skilled Engineer Surveyors help customers throughout the UK and Ireland to maintain workplace equipment safety, optimise the efficiency of plant and equipment, and comply with applicable health and safety legislation; covering boiler/pressure, lifting, electrical/mechanical, dust and fume extraction, power press equipment, and fixed wiring installations.

HSB Risk Management Solutions: We can help businesses to reduce risks, costs, and deliver compliance via improved analysis of their equipment and health and safety practices. Consisting of three services, each service is further split into modules, allowing customers to build them to fit their business.

HSB Inspection Services HSB Risk Management Solutions