Portable Appliance Testing is an essential aspect of your company's health & safety policy. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) claim that nearly 2000 fires in one year were caused by faulty leads to appliances. Around 1000 electrical accidents at work are reported to (HSE) each year and about 30 people die of their injuries. Therefore the importance of regular electrical safety testing cannot be emphasized enough.

All portable electrical equipment is subject to getting damaged during use, and this damage could render the equipment dangerous to the user. Without a regular programme of testing and inspection, you have not taken reasonable steps to ensure the safety of users.

As a business you are required by law to protect all users of portable appliances from electrical shock as well as fire hazards. PAT Testing should be carried out to protect your employees, customers and you against accidents and liability.
It should be carried out regularly by your business in accordance with guidelines stated in the IEE Code of Practice.

(HSE) employs Electrical Inspectors with the aim of reducing the number of electrical accidents by enforcing the Law, providing advice on good working practices, and developing guidance in response to technical changes in equipment and working methods.
Regular PAT testing of your company's electrical equipment will help you to identify faulty items and protect you against liability for electrical accidents in the work place.

Failure to comply with the Electrical Regulations may constitute in a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which carries a maximum penalty on summary of a conviction of a £5,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment.
Landlords and letting agents could also be sued in Civil Law under the duty of care for failure to ensure the tenants safety and, as a result, face punitive damages.

For more information and statistics about electrical safety at work visit the HSE web site at www.hse.gov.uk/electricity

Microwave Testing

We offer a microwave oven leakage and safety testing service to compliment our portable appliance testing work, which can be carried out at the same time as your PAT testing. We are able to test both consumer and industrial microwaves.

Lack of cleanliness and poor maintenance of the door seals can lead to leakage levels in excess of the recommended limit. Testing of the unit involves measurement of the radiation levels around the oven using microwave detection equipment to ensure compliance with legal limits. The safety interlock switches and the door seals are inspected for any signs of damage to ensure that they function correctly and safety.

Insurance

Many Businesses are unaware of the Insurance implications of not having an up to date PAT Testing programme in place. Failure to carry out the necessary testing can result in your insurance company refusing to pay out in the unfortunate circumstances of an accident or a fire.

Faulty electrical appliances are the main cause of accidental fires in commercial buildings. At present they represent over 25% of all such fires.

Our aim at ROF Pat Testing is to enable you to implement a satisfactory testing programme at a realistic price.

Legal Requirements & Employers Responsibility

Current legislation demands that employers ensure portable appliances are safe. Here is a selection of some of the relevant regulations.

Electricity At Work Act 1989

• To comply with the 1989 Electricity at work regulations, it is necessary to implement a programme of Inspection and testing of all necessary portable appliances.

The Electricity at work regulations state:

There is an obligation to carry out a programme of testing, maintenance and inspection

• Where ANY appliances are used by employees
• Where the public may use appliances in places such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc
• Where appliances are supplied or hired
• Where appliances are serviced or repaired
• Landlords also have a duty to take certain precautions against injury or death

As may be necessary to prevent danger all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent so far as is reasonably practicable such danger.

Provisions & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992

• Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

Provisions & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

• Every employer shall ensure that the result of an inspection made under this regulation is recorded and kept until the next inspection under this regulations is recorded.

It is clear that the combination of the PUWER 1992 / 1998  and the EAW Regulations 1989 apply to all electrical equipment used in, or associated with, places of work. The scope extends from distribution systems down to the smallest piece of electrical equipment. It is clear that there is a requirement to inspect and test all types of electrical equipment in all work situations.

We realise that in some cases Portable Appliance Testing may be an unwanted disruption to your business. Because of this we can operate outside of normal working hours to suit the customer. Evening and weekend appointments carry no extra charges.

Landlord & Letting Agents Legal Requirements

Anyone who lets residential accommodation (such as houses, flats and bed sits, 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. Landlords therefore need to regularly maintain the electrical equipment they supply to ensure it is safe.

The supply of goods occurs at the time of the tenancy contract. It is, therefore, essential that property is checked prior to the tenancy to ensure that all goods supplied are in a safe condition. A record should be made of the goods supplied as part of the tenancy agreement and of checks made on those goods. The record should indicate who carried out the checks and when they did it.

It is strongly advisable to have the equipment checked before the start of each let. It would be good practice to have the equipment checked at regular intervals thereafter. You should obtain and retain test reports detailing the equipment, the tests carried out and the results.

As a landlord or a Letting agent you are responsible for ensuring that all portable electrical appliances that are included in the lease of the property have been certified as safe. This is done by implementing a Portable appliance-testing programme for the property.
You as a landlord or a letting agent will be held personally responsible and legally liable for any personal injury / Fire damage resulting from Unsafe appliances. These appliances can include: Freezers. Fridges. Televisions. Hoovers etc.

 

©Copyright 2023 ROF Electrical Services Ltd.