Pat Testing Legal Requirements for Employers

Failure to comply with the above regulations can result in fines of up to £5,000 and/or six months in jail. Fines could be up to £20,000 and offences tried by the Crown Court carried prison sentences of more than 2 years in addition to unlimited fines. While the PAT test itself is not required by law, it simply helps protect you by making sure you comply with these regulations. PAT tests are not a legal requirement, but can be considered for the maintenance of electrical equipment, which is a legal requirement under the Workplace Electricity Regulations, 1989. There is also no legal requirement to place PAT test stickers on the devices being tested, but these can be useful for device management. Technically, anyone can perform PAT tests, but they must have the necessary training to keep them fit to do the job. The regulation does not say so directly, but states that the person conducting the test must be performed by a competent person who has been instructed to perform the controls safely. The frequency of inspection of electrical appliances is highly dependent on regularity and the environment, and it is up to the employer to choose a responsible inspection plan. However, with the increase in electrical equipment in employees` homes, employees will likely have to use more extension cords and outlets that can be overloaded by other family members` appliances, resulting in electrical hazards. This then increases the risk of overheating and can lead to electric shock or a possible fire. It is the employer`s responsibility to ensure the safety of employees when they work, work from home or at work.

The frequency of inspections and testing depends on the type of equipment and the environment in which it is used. For example, a power tool used on a construction site should be inspected more often than a lamp in a hotel room. For instructions on recommended inspection and inspection frequencies, see: Maintenance of Portable and Portable Electrical Equipment. PAT tests only apply to portable devices and not to electrical installations in which they are inserted. Therefore, an up-to-date EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is recommended and is also required to comply with the above regulations. So what attitude should employers take on the issue of homeworkers? Understanding the challenges faced by remote workers is necessary for employers to work on addressing potential issues. Individual solutions must be carefully considered. In the absence of a one-size-fits-all solution, much depends on the distinction between the type of work performed, the individual needs of the workforce, and the variety of work equipment used by homeworkers. The Electrical in the Workplace Regulations, perhaps the most comprehensive legislation governing the testing of electrical equipment, describe what electrical equipment is defined and the responsibilities it requires. The PAT test itself is not a legal requirement, but simply a method of determining whether such maintenance is necessary. In summary, while PAT testing is not the legal responsibility of employers and homeowners, it contributes to their duty to maintain electrical equipment that can cause injury. An initial risk assessment determines how often and by whom PAT testing should be performed.

Visual inspections can be carried out by competent personnel, while PAT test kits must be used by people skilled in electricity. PAT testing is a great way to manage risk and maintain safety, and can especially help homeowners with other electrical regulatory requirements such as electrical inspection status reports. In 2011, HSE reviewed its approach to maintaining portable devices in its own offices. Given the nature of the devices used and how they were used, HSE reviewed the results of its annual testing of wearable devices across its property over the past five years. Based on the results of previous tests, the HSE has decided that further testing for wearable devices is not or not at all necessary for certain types of wearable devices for the foreseeable future. They also decided to continue to monitor all bugs reported as a result of user inspections and visual inspections, and to review the maintenance system if there is evidence that it needs to be revised.