Portable electrical testing involves a visual inspection; including 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 testing.
Portable electrical 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 portable electrical equipment within a business premises. Portable electrical testing should be performed regularly to protect employees and customers against any accidents and liability within the workplace. Portable electrical testing is scheduled by a business in accordance with guidelines stated in the IEE Code of Practice.
Portable electrical testing assesses electrical equipment and guarantees that it is safe to use. In a place of work portable electrical 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 portable electrical testing must be carried out by law or not, however, it is not stated by law that portable electrical testing is vital, unless in a work place where all portable electrical appliances must be safe. Government guidelines state that portable electrical testing is the best way to guarantee electrical safety. If an accident were to occur due to a faulty unmaintained portable electrical appliance the company could be fined or even be imprisoned.
For landlords portable electrical testing is imperative because they are obliged to test electrical appliances regularly. Landlords require portable electrical testing in order to ensure that electrical appliances are safe for tenants. In factories, schools and other places of education portable electrical testing may prevent fires and injuries which is why portable electrical appliances need to be tested, and electrical portable appliance testing certifies this safety.
Without portable electrical 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 testing ensures that there is no danger of electrical equipment. Without portable electrical 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.
