Portable Appliance Testing

According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all employers must maintain equipment to ensure that it remains safe. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 now addresses this requirement in a more specific way.

Regulation 4 (2) states that all electrical systems should be maintained to prevent danger to users. This regulation indicates that the best way to establish a maintenance program is to periodically perform inspection checks on all appliances. The Health and Safety Executive clarifies this point by advising on the frequency of component checks.

P.A.T Testing consists of electrical tests and visual appraisals of portable appliances. Anything with a lead and a plug -top must be included.

The electrical tests are an essential function, but the visual inspections make up the largest part of the test. Most appliances that fail the Portable Appliance Test first fail the visual test and this can be easily corrected. Often rectification consists of a change of a plug or fuse or simple wiring repairs.

Hays Electrical Services Ltd will issue a certificate upon completion of the Portable Appliance Test illustrating that you are complying with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Act.