110v or 240v power tools? Advice needed, please?

[Martin Pearson]

What about shopping centres? You say you don’t do any work on building sites but on site work doesn’t just mean building sites as far as I know. Worth checking, I don’t do any of that sort of work at all now so not up to speed with current legislation.

[Iain George]

I have always used battery tools for installation but if needed a 110v with a 240 transformer. That way you are covered in all situations. Don’t forget any powered tools need a PAC test.

[Tahsin Niyazi]

As stated above if you find yourself on a site where they don’t allow anything but 110v your stuck. Grab a converter and play it safe. My two cents anyway.

Tas

[Ewan Chrystal]

I’m in the middle of doing a NEBOSH Health and Safety course and this was the topic a few weeks back. This falls under PUWER (Provision and use of work equipment Regulations)
Technically, you don’t HAVE to use 110v but it is your duty as an employer (assuming you are) to protect the health and safety of your employees. If you HAVE to use 240v then an RCD or other device should be used.
Most sites nowadays insist on 110v but that is to do with their own health and safety policies. At the end of the day 240v can kill you and while it will still give you a jolt 110v probably wont.
Its all about reducing the risk as much as you can. There is no law that says you cant use 240v but if something happens to one of your employees then HSE will string you up.

[Gary Birch]

Battery drills here too. On any site induction we have been on it when we answer battery tools only the H&S officer just skips that bit. Buy the best you can afford though as the cheap ones are rarely up to the hard work. Of all tried I like Milwaukee

Cheers

Gary

[Seun Aderibigbe]

Thanks for all the advice all. I’ve made my list, let’s see what santa brings

Seun