Appliance testing improves Health and Safety

Oct 23 2007 by Steve Race, Evening Gazette

PORTABLE appliance testing (PAT) is an essential part of any business's health and safety strategy.

There are a number of reasons why electrical appliances should be tested on a regular basis, but the most important ones are:

1. To comply with The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989)

2. To comply with the Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998)

3. To minimize the risk of fire and injury caused by electrical appliances

4. To satisfy your insurance company

5. To comply with Health and Safety requirements and ISO standards.

Pat testing records are one of the first items fire officers and health and safety inspectors usually ask to see on any inspection visit.

The law requires that electrical appliances are safe to be used for the purpose for which they are designed. Organisations should do as much as is reasonably practicable to ensure that they are safe (Electricity at Work Regulations 1989).

Guidance from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggest intervals for inspection and testing ranging from three months (for construction equipment) to four years.

You don't have to be an electrician to carry out PAT testing. In fact anyone who is deemed competent can carry out the testing. A one-day PAT training course is all that's needed to gain a Certificate of Competence.

Alternatively you can learn how to PAT Test with the PAT Testing Course DVD. The ground-breaking DVD costs only £49.99 plus VAT and after watching it students are required to complete an on-line exam from which they could gain a Certificate of Technical Competence endorsed by the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers. The DVD is only available from Portable Appliance Safety Services (PASS Ltd).

PASS is your local specialists in PAT testing training, PAT services and PAT testing equipment. It can provide customers with everything needed to carry out their own testing in-house, or they can carry out PAT testing for you. For more information visit www.pat-services.co.uk or call free on 0800 2471800