Electrical PAT testing is essential in regards to a company’s health & safety policy to ensure members of staff are not harmed or at danger by any electrical equipment within a business premises. Electrical PAT testing should be performed regularly to protect employees and customers against any accidents and liability within the workplace. Electrical PAT testing is scheduled by a business in accordance with guidelines stated in the IEE Code of Practice.
Electrical PAT testing assesses electrical equipment and guarantees that it is safe to use. In a place of work electrical PAT testing should be scheduled yearly in order to ensure maximum protection of employees and in order to protect the employer from being liable if there is faulty equipment which may cause injury.
There is controversy whether electrical PAT testing must be carried out by law or not, however, it is not stated by law that electrical PAT testing is vital, unless in a work place where all electrical appliances must be safe. Government guidelines state that electrical PAT testing is the best way to guarantee electrical safety. If an accident were to occur due to a faulty unmaintained electrical appliance the company could be fined or even be imprisoned.
Additionally, landlords may also ask “What is electrical PAT testing?” landlords are obliged to complete electrical PAT testing on a regular basis (annually), especially if they are renting their property through an estate agent. A landlord requires electrical PAT testing to ensure that electrical appliances are safe for tenants. In factories, schools and other places of education electrical PAT testing may prevent fires and injuries which is why portable appliances need to be tested, and electrical PAT testing ensures this safety.
Without electrical PAT testing a fine of £5,000 per item could be incurred as a result of not complying with regulations, as well as six months imprisonment. Electrical PAT testing ensures that there is no danger of electrical equipment; however, without electrical PAT testing the person responsible could be charged with manslaughter, again, this would be a result of not complying with regulations. In addition, if a PAT certificate is not presented then the property’s insurance may be seen as invalid because the necessary health and safety procedures were not taken into consideration, and it is a landlord’s responsibility to be vigilant in regards to electrical safety, if this is ignored and there is no electrical PAT testing certificate presented the landlord may be sued by their tenant for civil damages.
