We cover all types of PAT testing call us on 0118 3231893 or email us

Legislation

There is a number of legislation relavent to electrical maintenance and safety. Here is a overview of one of the laws that relate to this type of testing although there are others and these should all be taken into account:

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires every employer to ensure
that equipment is suitable for the use which it is provided (Reg 4(1)) and only used for work for
which it is suitable (Reg 4(3)). They require every employer to ensure equipment is maintained
in good order (Reg 5) and inspected as necessary to ensure it is maintained in a safe condition.

Portable Appliance Inspection and Testing

As previously stated everyone at work has a responsibility to maintain safety in the workplace. Employers are responsible for maintaining equipment in good order. This is just as relavent if you are playing in band, are a landlord responsible for tenants or a B&B with guests staying.

Relating this to Portable Appliances means there are three catagories:

• User Checks - This is an important safety precaution. A lot of faults can be detected visually. This should be done before each use of the electrical appliance. Normally if the equipment is satisfactory then no documentation for this check is required.

For example: Broken, damaged or cracked plugs and sockets, equipment casing damaged or missing, damaged cables, faulty switches, unprotected moving parts, shields missing. Is the equipment suitable for purpose both for the job and the environment it is in etc.

If any electrical appliance is found to be faulty or damaged then it should be switched off and unplugged. Labelled so as not to be used and reported to a responsible person, for example the Manager of that department.

• Formal Visual Inspections - This has to be documented and must be undertaken by a competent person.

Formal checks are completed on a regular basis checking the environment the equipment is being used in. Suitability of the equipment and the condition of the equipment. We can undertake this task on your behalf.

• Combined Inspection and Testing

This is often known for portable appliances as PAT Testing or PAT. This includes everything in the Formal Visual Inspections of Portable Appliances as well as testing the appliances.

All the necessary details about Portable Appliance Testing relating to these three catagories are documented in The IEE Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

If you require formal visual inspections or combined inspection and testing please contact us

Useful sites

If you require further details relating to PAT Testing here are a few sites:

There are many documents and guides provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Some are downloadable some have to be bought. Here are a few of the HSE book headings relating to Electrical safety and your responsibility. Please check the HSE web site regularly for updates.

• Safe use of work equipment
• Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
• Electricity at work safe working practices
• Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment

There are a number of Electrical institutions that ensure the standard and quality of Competent persons. Two are NAPIT and NICEIC.

The Instituition of Electrical Engineers now known as The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

For PAT testing in Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire including Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, Camberley, Basingstoke, Aldershot, Newbury, Theale, Farnham and Frimley.