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Some companies claim "there is no legislation for PAT testing". However, PAT testing is by far the most effiecient way to test eletrical appliances for electrical safety and help satisfy Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

If PAT testing is not carried out, alternative means of satisfying these regulations will need to be demonstrated. Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is a Law!

Stream-Line PAT Testing supplies detailed test reports/certificates for you to keep as proof that businesses and Landlords have taken all necessary steps to help prevent fire/electric shock.

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Any type of business, the self-employed and landlords have a duty of care to their employees and the general public, and must comply to ensure that any electrical work equipment is safe, maintained and suitable for the purpose it is intended for.

Portable Appliance Testing is the inspection and testing of ALL electrical appliances to ensure the safety of the appliance itself and the health and safety of the employee(s) using the equipment. 

 

Legislation and Standards:

There is a legal requirement on Companies to maintain electrical equipment in a safe condition, by carrying out regular testing of portable and fixed electrical equipment to ensure it is suitable and maintained properly to avoid danger. This is defined by the following series of acts, regulations and code of practice:

1) "The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974" which imposes a general duty of care on the employer and employee to ensure the safety of all persons using work premises.

2) "The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999" which define the requirement to assess the risks to the health and safety of employees which may arise in the workplace.

3) "The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998" which define the requirement to ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided.

4) "The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989" which require that any electrical system or item of equipment connected to it, must be maintained as necessary to prevent danger.

5) The IET 17th Edition wiring regulations 2009, incorporating amendment 1 2011.

6) A practical method of implementing the above series of legal responsibilities and requirements has been defined by the Institution of Engineering and Technology in the "New Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, 4th Edition". Company’s procedures should be based on this document.

 

IGNORING ELECTRICAL SAFETY LEGISTLATION MAY INVALIDATE INSURANCE!!

 

The Duty Holder is required to meet all legislative requirements.

 

In the event of a claim, insurers would consider all relevant facts, including any statutory obligation of the business.

 

Health & Safety Considerations

Pat testing or portable appliance testing is an important part of any health & safety policy.

The Health & Safety Executive states that 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and self-employed persons to comply with the provisions of the regulations and take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of such equipment. This in effect requires the implementation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing. The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an obligation in the following circumstances:

 

• 1. Where appliances are used by employees.

• 2. Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc.

• 3. Where appliances are supplied or hired.

• 4. Where appliances are repaired or serviced.

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The level of inspection and testing required is dependent upon the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which is in turn dependent upon the type of appliance, the nature of its use and the environment in which it is used.

 

Who is Responsible?

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires, every employer to ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is provided, only used in the place and under the provisions for which it is provided. It also requires every employer to ensure work equipment be efficiently maintained and kept fit and suitable for its intended purpose. It must not be allowed to deteriorate in function or performance to such a level that it puts people at risk. This means that regular, routine and planned maintenance regimes must be considered if hazardous problems can arise.

Regulation 3 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 recognises a responsibility that employers and many employees have for electrical systems.

"It shall be the duty of every employer and self employed person to comply with the provisions of the Regulations in as far as they relate to matters which are within his control.

It shall be the duty of every employee while at work:

(a) to co-operate with his employer so far as is necessary to enable and duty placed on that employer by the provision of the Regulations to be complied with: and
(b) to comply with the provision of these regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control."

 

Assessing the frequency of testing

The Health & Safety Executive offers no absolute rules on the frequency of the testing and inspection of portable appliances. The Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations suggests that 'regular inspection of equipment is an essential part of any preventative maintenance program', but no attempt is made to specify the intervals of time implied by the word 'regular'. The reason for this omission is obvious; different situations require different measures in order to meet the requirement that the danger is prevented. The factors which affect the frequency of testing must be assessed by the duty holder who thereby makes the judgement.

In arriving at a judgement as to the frequency of testing, a duty holder is likely to assess the following factors:-

• 1. The environment - equipment installed in a benign environment will suffer less damage than equipment in an arduous environment

• 2. Users - if the users report damage as and when it becomes evident, hazards will be avoided. Conversely, if equipment is likely to receive unreported abuse, more frequent inspection and testing is required

• 3. The equipment construction - the safety of a Class 1 appliance is dependent upon a connection with earth of the electrical installation. If the flexible cable is damaged the connection with earth can be lost. Safety of Class 2 equipment is not dependent upon the fixed electrical installation

• 4. The equipment type - appliances which are hand held are more likely to be damaged than fixed appliances. If they are Class 1 the risk of danger is increased, as the safety is dependent upon the continuity of the protective conductor from the plug to the appliance.

 

Portable Appliance Equipment

There are many European standards and guidance notes regarding portable appliances and equipment, though they do not establish a common and specific definition of such equipment. Even so, there does seem to be a consensus of opinion that such equipment is either hand held whilst being connected to the supply, or is intended to be moved whilst connected to the supply, or is capable of being moved without undue difficulty whilst connected to the supply.

It is usual for this equipment to be connected to the supply via a plug and socket; however this is not a requirement for electrical equipment to be deemed portable or transportable. It is common to define a portable appliance by saying that it is 'anything with a plug top on the end of it'. This is a mistake as it may mean that there are some appliances in the system that are never tested.

The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (napit) define a portable appliance as 'any electrical item which can or is intended, to be moved whilst connected to an electrical supply.'

 

 

The IEE Code of Practice gives guidance on the various equipment types:

Portable appliance

An appliance of less than 18kg in mass that is intended to be moved whilst in operation or an appliance which can easily be moved from one place to another, e.g. vacuum cleaner, toaster, food mixer, etc.

Movable equipment (transportable)

This equipment is either:

18 kg or less in mass and not fixed, e.g. electric fire.
Or
Equipment with wheels, castors or other means to facilitate movement by the operator as required to perform its intended use, e.g. air conditioning unit.

Hand Held equipment or appliances

This is portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use, e.g. hair dryer.

Stationary equipment or appliances

This equipment has a mass exceeding 18kg and is not provided with a carrying handle, e.g. refrigerator.

Fixed Equipment/appliances

This equipment or an appliance which is fastened to a support or otherwise secured in a specific location, e.g. bathroom heater.

Appliances/equipment for building in

This equipment is intended to be installed in a prepared recess such as a cupboard or similar. In general, equipment for building in does not have exposure on all sides because one or more of the sides, additional protection against electrical shock is provided by the surroundings, e.g. built in electric cooker.

Information technology equipment

Information technology equipment includes electrical business equipment such as computers and mains powered telecommunications equipment, and other equipment for general business use, such as mail processing machines, VDU's, photocopiers.