Pat testing, or portable appliance testing, is an important part of a Health & Safety Policy. The Health & Safety Executive states that 25% of all portable 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 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.

 

The Institution of Electrical Engineers publish the "Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment" (ISBN: 978-0-86341-833-4).

 

This guide forms the basis for portable appliance testing in the UK.

 

Please follow the link on this page for more information on PAT testing (portable appliance testing) and electrical safety testing in the workplace.