Pat testing or portable appliance testing is an important part of any health & safety policy.

Who is Responsible

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires, every employer to ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is provided, only used in the place and under the provisions for which it is provided. It also requires every employer to ensure work equipment be efficiently maintained and kept fit and suitable for its intended purpose. It must not be allowed to deteriorate in function or performance to such a level that it puts people at risk. This means that regular, routine and planned maintenance regimes must be considered if hazardous problems can arise.

Regulation 3 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 recognises a responsibility that employers and many employees have for electrical systems.

"It shall be the duty of every employer and self employed person to comply with the provisions of the Regulations in so far as they relate to matters which

are witare within his control.

It shall be the duty of every employee while at work:

(a) to co-operate with his employer so far as is necessary to enable and duty placed on that employer by the provision of the Regulations to be complied with: and
(b) to comply with the provision of these regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control."

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 practicable 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:

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

The level of inspection and testing required is dependent upon the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which is in turn dependent upon the type of appliance, the nature of its use and the environment in which it is used.

We offer full PAT testing facilities in house or onsite using the very latest test instruments and within our packages can include full asset itinerary listings including serial numbers, asset id tagging by means of barcoding, asset location details and if required security tagging using Smart Water, RFID or UV methods.

Please call for any additional info or to arrange a quotation for your asset management schedule.