Phew, it’s almost the end of summer. The nights are drawing in and the days are getting shorter. Soon be Christmas … so why should PAT testing be on the agenda?
As we head into autumn, thoughts turn not to ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness’ but instead, checking your electrical systems to determine their safety and reliability. We can’t stress enough how important this is.
A typical scenario
As temperatures start to fall, your employees will be arriving at work on those cold, dark mornings, all wrapped up and braced against the cold. The first thing they’ll do, once they’ve peeled off their coat and extra layers, is to pop the kettle on for a hot brew. As we all know, there’s nothing like a hot drink to set you up for the day.
And at this time of year, not only will the lights need to be switched on first thing but so may the heating! Your employees have to be able to carry out their duties in a warm, well-lit environment where their safety is paramount. It’s actually a legal responsibility for business owners to do so.
All of which puts a strain on sockets, timers, light switches, fuse boxes and appliances. The last thing you want is for your employees and customers to be the victim of an electric shock or an accident because of a faulty appliance or a defunct timer. Not to mention the risk of a fire caused by unsafe wiring or an overloaded socket with potentially fatal consequences.
Rules and regs
Ask yourself this: do your electrics comply with The Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989? In addition to this, are the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974: the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999. The list goes on and on …
If your answer to this is “not sure” then you need to perform a PAT test on all your electrical equipment to ensure it is fit for purpose. There is no legal requirement to do so; however, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Plus, the Health and Safety Executive and many insurance companies will expect you to conduct PAT testing, enabling you to conform to these regulations. Better to do this than be slapped with a large fine and/or imprisonment because something has gone wrong. Harsh we know, but we’ve seen it happen!
To sum it up: you are not required by law to carry out PAT testing but you are expected to comply with Health and Safety regulations regarding a safe workplace. Your electrical equipment must be maintained on a regular basis.
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Frequency of PAT testing
How often should you test your electrical equipment? This depends upon the type of appliance and the environment where it’s located. Some appliances require more frequent testing due to usage. The heavier the use the more frequent the testing is usually required.
Hire a professional electrician with the skills and experience necessary to do so. Our qualified staff are experts at PAT testing, keeping you safe and legal.
If you want to know more about PAT testing or wish book an inspection, call 01782 595 600 or email by clicking here.