PAT testing isn't a legal requirement in itself — but keeping your electrical equipment safe is. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place a duty on employers to maintain electrical equipment so it doesn't cause danger, and portable appliance testing is the most widely recognised way to show you're meeting that duty.
Legislation.
The legislation of specific relevance to electrical maintenance is the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
This includes the self employed.
The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an obligation in the following circumstances:
- Where appliances are used by employees.
- Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc.
- Where appliances are supplied or hired.
- Where appliances are repaired or serviced.
If you don't PAT test...
Portable appliance testing, or PAT testing, is a major contributor to ensuring safety at all times, and will enable your business to comply with the legal standards. Failure to implement a programme of regular appliance testing can lead to serious consequences, as well as affecting insurance policies.
Insurance claims can be refused.
Most insurance companies will assume that the owners of a business are compliant with all relevant regulations. "Insurers are fully entitled to reduce, delay or even refuse to pay on a claim for damage caused by a portable appliance that has not been PAT tested."
Landlord legal requirements.
Anyone who lets residential accommodation (such as houses, flats and bedsits, holiday homes, caravans and boats) as a business activity is required by law to ensure the equipment they supply as part of the tenancy is safe. “The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 requires that all mains electrical equipment (cookers, washing machines, kettles, etc), new or second-hand, supplied with the accommodation must be safe.”
Get all your electrical equipment tested today.
If you are a landlord or business owner and would like to find out more about where your business stands with regards to electrical safety, or if you think you could benefit from having your electrical equipment PAT tested, please call us on 07729 577307 or email us via sales@fuseduk.co.uk .