The PAT testing law is presented in many health and safety policies. The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 in relation to the PAT law examines the duty of care to both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of the appliance of everyone using the work premises.
The PAT testing law is presented in The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which says it is imperative that “Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:
• The risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work
• The risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking.”
PUWER states “Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.” Therefore, it is suggested that employers are to consider portable appliance testing regulations prior to PAT testing.
PUWER comprehends many hazards that result from equipment which have not considered portable appliance testing law. Moreover, obedience to the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is expected to achieve agreement with PUWER which is only relevant to an appliance which is used at work by employees and is not applicable to fixed installations in a building.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:
“All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”
“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”
“Electrical Equipment’ includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy.”
The PAT testing law reflects that PAT testing is the law for all work places. Thus, PAT testing is somewhat essential in regards to any health and safety policy. Furthermore, it has been stated by the Health & Safety Executive that 25% of all reported electrical accidents are a result of a faulty electrical appliance that has not undergone vigilant PAT testing.
The Electricity at Work Regulations assert legal responsibility on employers and employees to adhere with the PAT testing legal requirements and take procedures to ensure that there are no hazards from appliances. In order to avoid any danger on the property there should be regular maintenance, and this is where PAT testing is required.
The current PAT testing law states it is necessary for all PAT testing employers to ensure that their appliances are safe and comply with the law. Some of the relevant PAT testing law:
• Electricity At Work Act 1989
• Provisions & Use Of Work Equipment Regulations 1992
• Provisions & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Electricity At Work Act 1989
• “To meet the requirements of the Electricity At Work legislation it is widely regarded to be necessary to implement a programmed of planned inspection and testing of portable appliances,
Provisions & Use Of Work Equipment Regulations 1992
• Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state and 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 legislation is recorded and kept until the next inspection under this legislation is recorded.
The PAT testing law is included in (HSW) state both the employer and employee are to ensure protection of anyone using the premises. An efficient and convenient method to accomplish this and comply with the safety law is by ensuring regular checks are completed to maintain protection of the premises.
The PAT testing law is portrayed through The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999; the PAT testing law confirms all health and safety risks are depleted. The PAT testing law states:
“Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:
(a) the risks to employees which exposed to whilst at work, and
(b) the risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking”
