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PAT Testing
The ELECTRICITY AT WORK REGULATIONS (EAW) came into force in 1989. These regulations place legal onus on every employer where Portable Electrical Appliances are used to ensure they are in a safe working order, to prevent injury or death. The employee also has a responsibility placed on him or her to visually inspect and use the appliance in a safe manner.
Portable Electrical Appliances are interpreted as any item which plugs into a socket, covering such items as kettles, white goods, vacuum cleaners, power tools through to business machines such as computers, facsimile machines, etc.
The guidelines stating the frequency of testing we use are those issued by the IET which are stricter than those of the Health & Safety Executive. Frequency of testing varies considerably due to the differing environments and the amount of use of the particular appliance. The onus however is on the ‘DUTY HOLDER’ to ensure that the tests are carried out at the correct frequency. We will make recommendations for you based on the above to satisfy the demands of the regulations.
All appliances must be regularly maintained by inspection and or testing and, in order to prove this has been carried out, full records are recommended to be kept. Our records are fully computerised and kept in our main computer database.
If there should be an accident with an appliance that has not been maintained, inspected and or tested according to these Regulations, it could mean considerable trauma for the person injured and the person responsible for Health and Safety implementation. It may also cause problems with an insurance claim..
The service we offer is a professional management of inspection, testing and certification of all your appliances. We are equipped with the latest high-tech computerised testing equipment which exceeds tests recommended by the Regulations. Testing can be carried out on 110v, 240v portable appliances and machinery.
A mutually convenient date can be arranged to visit your premises and test all your appliances. On completion of the inspection and testing, any failures will be notified to you and a report printed and sent to you in order that you can make any necessary repair arrangements.
Our first test on the appliance is a visual inspection of the plug, wiring, fuse rating, condition of lead, etc. We often find the plug on the appliance to be fitted with a fuse of incorrect rating, and these will be changed to eradicate any danger this poses.
Our test equipment then carries out up to six further electrical tests, if required. Each test is clearly visible pass or fail on the LCD read-out. No further testing procedure is possible if an appliance has failed any test. If a fail label is issued, this appliance must not be used until it has been repaired and retested.
Each appliance is bar code labelled with pass or fail, together with the date of the retest.
A printed ‘Portable Appliance Test Report’ is issued showing details of each piece of equipment together with readings taken, for possible inspection by safety inspectors.
Outside Sub-Contractors
it is essential if you employ sub-contractors (classed as employees whilst on your premises) that any equipment they bring to your premises has also been tested.
Employees
if you have any employees who have brought their own electrical appliances to your premises, such as fan heaters, personnel radios, etc., these also need testing or removing from your premises.
Reports
- 10 years or change of occupancy for a domestic installation (5 years when a property is let)
- 5 years or change of occupancy for a commercial installation
- 5 years for offices installation
- 3 years for an industrial installation
- 1 year for caravan parks
- 3 months for construction sites
- Adequacy of earthing and bonding
- Suitability of the switchgear and control gear e.g. consumer unit e.g. an old fuse box with a wooden back, cast iron switches,
- Serviceability of equipment e.g. switches, socket-outlets and light fittings e.g. older round pin sockets, round light switches and braided flex hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches, sockets mounted in skirting boards may require replacing.
- Type of wiring system and its condition e.g. cables coated in black- rubber, black-rubber was phased out in the 1960s or cables coated in lead or fabric are even older and may need replacing (modern cables use pvc insulation)
- Provision of residual current devices for socket-outlets and all other circuits as required.
- Presence of adequate identification and notices
- Extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration
- Changes in use of the premises which have led to, or might lead to, deficiencies in the installation.
- C1 Danger present risk of injury with immediate remedial action required.
- C2 Potentially dangerous with urgent remedial action required.
- C3 Improvement recommended with repairs given due consideration.
| 1
Rare |
2
Unlikely |
3
Possible |
4
Likely |
5
Almost Certain |
|
| 5
Catastrophic |
5
Moderate |
10
High |
15
Extreme |
20
Extreme |
25
Extreme |
| 4
Major |
4
Moderate |
8
High |
12
High |
16
Extreme |
20
Extreme |
| 3
Moderate |
3
Low |
6
Moderate |
9
High |
12
High |
15
Extreme |
| 2
Minor |
2
Low |
2
Moderate |
6
Moderate |
8
High |
10
High |
| 1
Negligible |
1
Low |
2
Low |
3
Low |
4
Moderate |
5
Moderate |