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Why do we have to test microwave ovens?
Microwave ovens can be heavily used and sometimes abused in a busy kitchen catering for a number of staff and customers. They can in time become damaged and even corroded, if not looked after correctly.
It is not unusual to see microwave ovens with broken door hinges, damaged or missing door seals, broken door catches or even cracks in the door glass.
Whilst these ovens are designed and manufactured to operate normally and seal in the micro waves, it is important that there are no gaps in the metallic seal.
These issues are not just in commercial kitchens and will often be seen in staff rooms or office kitchens.
When injury from exposure to microwaves occurs, it usually results from dielectric heating induced in the body; the same heating that cooks the food. Exposure to radiation can produce:
• cataracts by affecting the lens in the eye
• heat damage in other tissue as well, upto and including serious burns
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states:
“Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work”
The Provision and Use of Work and Equipment Regulations 1998 states:
“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair”
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:
“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”
The ONLY way to make sure that the Microwave Oven is working safely is to TEST it.
Firstly we conduct a PAT Test, the same as we would with any other electrical appliance, then we conduct the microwave test, then
A mug of water is placed in the microwave oven which is then put to maximum power, for one minute.
A microwave tester is then used to scan the door seals and the front glass. This will indicate the level of microwaves leaking out, is within an acceptable safe level, which is less than 5 mw/sq.cm
Microwave ovens are designed to switch off as soon as the door is opened; we would check that this works.
The door is fully checked for any damage to the seal and the microwave housing is checked.
Finally, the oven has to be labelled to show that both the leakage and the interlock (door etc.) tests have been carried out.
As with all stationery electrical appliances in commercial kitchens, a microwave should be tested annually. As all the other appliances are being tested annually it makes just as much sense to test the microwaves at the same time.
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