Inspection by the user

A microwave oven should only be used if an inspection confirms all of the following points.

• The surface of the door is not damaged.
• The door fits squarely and securely and opens and closes smoothly.
• The door hinges are in good condition.
• The oven is clean and in particular the door edges and interior surrounds are not covered with food or burnt material.
• No corrosion is evident on the door, the door hinges or the oven interior.

Precautions for radiation safety in the use of Microwave Ovens

• Follow the oven manufacturer’s instructions on recommended operating procedures and safety precautions.
• Never tamper with or inactivate the interlocking devices.
• Never use the oven without the trays provided by the manufacturer unless specifically allowed in the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never operate the oven without a load (ie. an absorbing material such as food or water) in the oven cavity unless specifically allowed in the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never rest heavy objects such as food containers on the door while it is open.
• Clean the oven cavity, the door and seals with water and a mild detergent at regular intervals (do not use abrasive cleaning pads).
• Supervise children using microwave ovens

We offer a microwave oven leakage and safety testing service to compliment our portable appliance testing work, which can be carried out at the same time as your PAT testing. We are able to test both consumer and industrial microwaves.

Microwave ovens provide a convenient and safe way of cooking food in the workplace, however faults can occur and unless periodically tested they may become a health and safety hazard without you being aware.

Lack of cleanliness and poor maintenance of the door seals can lead to leakage levels in excess of the recommended limit. Testing of the unit involves measurement of the radiation levels around the oven using microwave detection equipment to ensure compliance with legal limits. The safety interlock switches and the door seals are inspected for any signs of damage to ensure that they function correctly and safety.

This testing is done to comply with the following standards:
BS EN 60335-2-90 2006 Safety of Household Electrical Appliances
BS EN 60335-2-25 2002 Requirements for Microwave Ovens