Portable electrical appliance testing involves a visual inspection which includes testing of the appliance casing, plug damage and wiring, and an electrical test. Depending whether or not the appliance has passed or failed a label will be applied on each electrical appliance signifying whether the electrical equipment has failed or passed portable electrical appliance testing, along with a PAT test certificate.
Portable electrical appliance 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. Portable electrical appliance testing should be performed regularly to protect employees and customers against any accidents and liability within the workplace. Portable electrical appliance testing is scheduled by a business in accordance with guidelines stated in the IEE Code of Practice.
Portable electrical appliance testing assesses electrical equipment and guarantees that it is safe to use. In a place of work portable electrical appliance testing should be scheduled yearly in order to ensure maximum protection of employees and to protect the employer from being liable if there is faulty equipment which may cause injury.
There is controversy whether portable electrical appliance testing is a legal requirement, however, it is not stated by law that portable electrical appliance testing is vital, unless in a work place where all electrical appliances must be safe. Government guidelines state that portable electrical appliance 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.
For landlords portable electrical appliance testing is imperative because they are obliged to maintain supplied electrical appliances. A landlord requires portable electrical appliance testing in order to ensure that electrical appliances are safe for tenants. In factories, schools and other places of education portable electrical appliance testing may prevent fires and injuries which is why portable appliances need to be tested, and portable electrical appliance testing ensures this safety.
Without portable electrical appliance 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. Portable electrical appliance testing ensures that there is no danger of electrical equipment. However, without portable electrical appliance testing the person responsible could be charged with manslaughter, again, this would be a result of not complying with regulations. In addition, without portable electrical appliance testing the responsible individual may result in invalid property insurance, and it is a landlord’s responsibility to be vigilant in regards to electrical safety, if this is ignored and there is not an electrical PAT test certificate presented the landlord may be sued by their tenant for civil damages.
