PAT testing is essential for compliance with health & safety legal requirements and fire risk assessments. Ignoring electrical safety legislation may invalidate insurance.

Under current U.K. legislation, every business has a legal obligation to make sure all their electrical items are safe in the workplace.

PAT testing isn’t only limited to business and large companies. From self-employed builders and bakers. Mobile hairdressers and handymen to landlords and lock-smiths. The law dictates that all should receive a regular safety inspection on their electrical equipment.

The Health & Safety Executive states that 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances. The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and self-employed persons to comply with the provisions of the regulations and take reasonably practical 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:

• Where appliances are used by employees
• Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc
• Where appliances are supplied or hired
• Where appliances are repaired or serviced

The level of inspection and testing required is dependant upon the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which is in turn dependant upon the type of appliance, the nature of its use and the environment in which it is used. The Institution of Electrical Engineers publish the “Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment” we work to this code of practice therefore ensuring your equipment is safe.