Microwave Testing

Legal Position 

In support of the Consumer Protection Act and the Health and Safety at Work Act, the  Health and Safety executive and the Government Inspectorate (weights and measures),  requires that those responsible for people using microwave powered ovens ensure that the  microwave leakage is reliably measured and that there is adequate control of the quality of  this service. “The Provisions and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998” & “The  Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999” also apply 

The Potential Dangers 

The risk of ‘injury’ resulting from the use of microwave ovens fall into two categories: 

* Operator Safety – leakage of energy from microwave ovens is normally small but because of the dangers associated with exposure, the British Standards Institute has set maximum safe levels of leakage ‘ for the life of the oven’ (BS 5175). 

* Consumer Safety – tests commissioned by the government and conducted by the  

Institute of Food Research, revealed that a significant percentage of microwave ovens were failing to heat food to high enough uniform temperatures to kill  bacteria. This increases the possibility of food poisoning being contracted by anyone eating food which has been cooked or re-heated in a microwave oven. 

Omnisafe provides a practical and cost effective safety inspection and testing service  covering both operator and consumer safety. The testing, which is carried out by  experienced and fully qualified electricians, encompasses the following points: radiation  leakage levels are accurately measured by using a calibrated microwave monitor (traceable  to the National Physical Laboratory); door seals, hinges and safety interlocks are inspected  and tested; power output is measured, as is timer accuracy; the uniformity of heating is  tested by using measured portions or chilled foods and quick response electronic  thermometers.  

The microwave is labelled and a detailed written report is supplied, giving test results  together with any appropriate recommendations. Recommended frequency of testing is  variable and dependent on the usage of the oven and the findings (i.e. levels of leakage) of  the initial inspection. Usually, annual testing is sufficient but in some instances more  frequent testing may be advisable. 

Omnisafe operates a totally unbiased independent safety service and would therefore  decline to offer any quotation for repair or replacement of any microwave oven.