Hydraulic hose

Ian Reed
Member - 5 posts

You should refer to the guidance to Regulation 7 of the Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000 contained in the Approved Code of Practice L122.

'89 This regulation complements regulation 5 which makes the designer, manufacturer and supplier responsible for providing adequate information about the system or its component parts. IT PROHIBITS THE USER/OWNER FROM OPERATING THE SYSTEM OR ALLOWING IT TO BE OPERATED BEFORE THE SAFE WORKING LIMITS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.'

'97 IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE PRESSURISED PLANT IN A SAFE MANNER, THE USER NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF ITS SAFE OPERATING LIMITS AND MAKE SURE THAT THESE LIMITS ARE NOT EXCEEDED.'

If you have information that states the fitting has a SWP of 250bar and you are operating outside that then you are in breach of the requirements of the Regulations.

The only caveat I would apply is to check that the system involved in within the scope of the Regs, there are quite a number of exceptions.

Dale Collins - Bond Pearce LLP
Online advisor - 9 posts

Good morning Andrew

I will assume for the purposes of this answer that the spec does not prohibit a pressure above 250 bar.

Whilst not in itself illegal, by running the fitting beyond its specification you are creating a number of other problems, for example;

1. Health and Safety at Work Act

The company is under a duty to provide a safe system of work, which is itself linked with the requirements to provide and maintain equipment and to use such equipment in accordance with its abilities. By KNOWINGLY using equipment beyond its spec it could be argued that you are increasing the risk of failure and, therefore, injury to employees.

2. Civil claims for damages

Again by using the fitting beyond its specified limit it could be argued, should there be a failure due to the limit being exceeded, that the company has acted negligently, and, therefore, should anyone be injured a claim for damages would be made and would very likely be successful.

There is a further possibility of action but this is subject to the article falling within the wide definition of "work equipment" (which includes "installation for use at work") within PUWER, and as I don't know how or where it is being used, I cannot comment on.

All in all it is not a good idea to use any tool or equipment beyond its known capabilities not only for the above reasons, but also because it may have an effect on any insurance policies you hold, for example, if it is discovered by your insurers that you were doing something in a way which was clearly beyond its capabilities they may try to argue that your actions take any claim outside of the policy.

Please ring me should you wish to discuss this further.

Dale Collins

0117 917 4064

dale.collins@osborneclarke.com