WHY IS PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING NECESSARY?

Answer: Because it can save lives and there are Statutory Requirements that must be complied with.

Statutory Requirements For Employers
Within the UK there are statutory requirements relating to Health and Safety at Work that all Employers and Employees must comply with, by law.

These requirements are covered within legislation aimed at the prevention of dangerous electrical equipment in the workplace by the maintenance of electrical equipment in a safe working condition.

This legislation requires all employers to maintain electrical equipment in a safe condition.

Legislation
There are four mains areas of legislation relating to the safety of electrical equipment in the work place;-

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (Statutory Instrument No.2127)
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Statutory Instrument No.635)
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (S.I. No.3242)
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI No. 2306)

The following extracts from the relevant statutory documents summarize the requirements relating to the safety of electrical equipment in the work place.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health & Safety at Work Act requires businesses to;-
‘ensure that the provision and maintenance of plant and systems at work are, as far as reasonably practicable, safe and without risk to health'.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Regulation 4(2) states;- 
'As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger'. 

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 
This legislation requires the business to:- 
'access the risks of all persons associated with their electrical equipment, identifying the significant risks , e.g. portable Appliances and make a record of the assessment'’ 
                                           AND
‘as appropriate appoint a competent person to take responsibility for electrical maintenance including inspection and testing’ 

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Under these regulations, the business has a responsibility to maintain, in safe condition, all electrical equipment provided for that business. 

The Regulations require that;- 
'Every Employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state , in efficient working order and in good repair' 
                                          AND
‘Every Employer shall ensure that the result of an inspection made under this regulation is recorded and kept until the next inspection under this regulation is recorded.' 

What do you need to do?
If you have not already done so, it is esential that you protect your employees, customers and therefore your business, by establishing and operating an electrical equipment Inspection and Testing regime.
Remember, offences committed against the Regulations will always lead to prosecution, may invalidate your insurance and lead to compensation claims against your business. © PAT Inspection & Testing Ltd 2003 - All Rights Reserved

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