why PAt test?

The Duty of Care, Inspection, Repair and Maintenance of ALL electrical appliances and equipment is covered by Law and there are harsh penalties for any person deemed responsible for not complying with these requirements.

Failure to comply with the Electrical Regulations may constitute a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which carries a maximum penalty on summary conviction of a £5,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment.

electrical safety

PAT Testing is generally regarded as the best way of meeting the electrical regulations that exist to protect employees, customers and tenants. Without it you could be in a very difficult situation if an electrical accident were to occur.

Each year about 1000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).  Around 30 of these are fatal!

Portable electrical appliances are a major cause of fires both in the home and at work. Over 2,500 people are killed or injured as a result of electrical fires every year!

All portable electrical equipment is subject to damage through wear and tear during use, and therefore could render the equipment dangerous to the user.

Tests and inspections should be made at regular intervals, taking into consideration the rate of use of both portable and fixed appliances.

If you require more information on PAT testing / portable appliance testing please contact us.

 

Legislation

Current legislation demands that employers ensure portable appliances are safe. Here are some of the relevant regulations:

  • The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
  • Workplace (Health & Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
  • The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  • The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998
  • The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989