UK and Ireland
Inspections frequencies: Confectioners
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Confectioners

A guide to inspection frequencies and applicable legislation for typical plant and equipment utilised across the UK and Ireland

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    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.

    Manufacturers rely on a wide range of equipment and process plant for their day-to-day operations, with various work processes occurring depending on the type of business operation.

    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 confectionery production industries are listed below, together with the applicable legislation, inspection frequencies, and images.

    Applicable legislation (1) Typical equipment Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) Equipment image
    Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 Blocks (manual/powered) 12 Link
    Jib crane (manual/powered) 12 Link
    Fork-lift truck 12 Link
    Fork-lift truck: lifting attachments 12
    Trolley 12 Link
    Passenger/goods lift (electric) 6 Link
    Mobile elevating working platform (MEWP) 6 Link
    Overhead travelling crane 12 Link
    Vacuum lifter 6
    General lifting support equipment (e.g. runway track) 12 Link
    Pallet truck 12 Link
    Scissor lift 6/12 Link
    Dock leveller (hydraulic) 12 Link
    Dock leveller (pneumatic) 12 Link
    Lifting beam (and frame/lifting attachments) 12
    Jack (e.g. bottle/trolley/transmission jack) 12 Link
    Miscellaneous lifting accessories 6 Link
    (1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable.
    Applicable legislation (1) Typical equipment Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) (2) Equipment image
    Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 Steam boiler 14 Link
    Steam vessels 14/26
    Other pressure vessels 13-120
    Refrigeration system (>25kW) 60 Link
    Air receiver (>250 bar/litres) 26 Link
    Air/oil receiver 72
    Calorifiers 14
    Jacketed vessels 14/26
    Steam pipework and manifolds 14
    Autoclave/steam steriliser 14 Link
    Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Refrigeration and air conditioning systems (<25 kW) 12
    Hot water boiler (<110ºC) 12 Link
    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.
    Applicable legislation (1) Typical equipment Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) Equipment image
    Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Hot water boiler (<100ºC) 12 Link
    General mechanical and electrical plant (e.g. motors, pumps, etc.) 12 Link
    (1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable.
    Applicable legislation (1) Typical equipment Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) (2) Equipment image
    Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Low voltage electrical installations 36 Link
    Portable appliances 12 Link
    (1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable.  (2) The frequency of period inspection for electrical systems, installations and equipment covered by EAWR 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.
    Applicable legislation Typical equipment Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) Equipment image
    S.I. No. 299 of 2007: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 Blocks (manual/powered) 12 Link
    Jib crane (manual/powered) 12 Link
    Fork-lift truck 12 Link
    Fork-lift truck: lifting attachments 12
    Trolley 12 Link
    Passenger/goods lift (electric) 6 Link
    Mobile elevating working platform (MEWP) 6 Link
    Overhead travelling crane 12 Link
    Vacuum lifter 6
    General lifting support equipment (e.g. runway track) 12 Link
    Pallet truck 12 Link
    Scissor lift 6 Link
    Dock leveller (hydraulic) 12 Link
    Dock leveller (pneumatic) 12 Link
    Lifting beam (and frame/lifting attachments) 12
    Jack (e.g. bottle/trolley/transmission jack) 12 Link
    Miscellaneous lifting accessories 6 Link
    Applicable legislation Typical equipment Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) Equipment image
    S.I. No. 445 of 2012: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 Steam boiler 14 Link
    Steam vessels 14/26
    Other pressure vessels 13-120
    Refrigeration system (>25kW) 60 Link
    Air receiver (>250 bar/litres) 26 Link
    Air/oil receiver 72
    Calorifiers 14
    Jacketed vessels 14/26
    Steam pipework and manifolds 14
    Autoclave/steam steriliser 14 Link
    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 Link
    Expansion vessel (used for hot water systems) 12
    Applicable legislation Typical equipment Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) Equipment image
    S.I. No. 299 of 2007 (Regulation 30): Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 Hot water boiler (<100ºC) 12 Link
    General mechanical and electrical plant (e.g. motors, pumps, etc.) 12 Link
    Applicable legislation Typical equipment Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) Equipment image
    S.I. No. 299 of 2007 (Part 3): Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 Low voltage electrical installations 36 - Industrial (1) Link
    60 - Commercial (1) Link
    Portable appliances 3-60 (2)
    (1) Unless specified otherwise by a risk assessment/the manufacturer. (2) A general guide, 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.