Which laws, statutes, regulations etc require that portable appliances are tested and that electrical installations are tested? BS7671 requires inspection and testing of electrical installations but it is not statute. Is it PUWER or HSW that requires the testing of 'appliances'?
This might answer your question:
It is an implied requirement under numerous pieces of legislation, and in the event of an incident leading to prosecution, evidence of sufficient and satisfactory inspection would be necessary. This has the advantage that some low risk environments may not require as much inspection as higher risk situations - heaven help you if your risk assessment, which in most cases should be recorded, gets it wrong and a fatality occurs. (I did find this difficult to impress on my employers who were looking to reduce costs of inspection etc.)
It is a requirment under the HSW Act that work equipment has a suitable regime of maintenance to keep it safe. PAT is one such regime and, more importantly, having PAT stickers on the equipment makes the H&S Inspectors happy.
Colin Bignell
In article , nightjar writes
Does it come within scope of PUWER as well?
As far as PAT testing is concernedand at present there is no specific laws that state "you must carry out portable appliance testing". The reason that PAT testing is carried out is to comply with the Electricity at work regulations 1989 which states "(2) As may be necessary to prevent danger, all (electrical) systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger."
This regulation applies to all electrical equipment ranging from a mobile phone charger to a 400kV pylon
PAT testing has been developed as a way of completely and safely checking the safety and integrity of appliances within the workplace.
Also it now being insisted on by bodies such as insurance companies, HSE, and also the Fire safety risk assesment regulations.
For further information you can look here
Not just the workplace. All my fathers electrical items had to be PAT tested when he moved into a residential home.
MBQ
But a residential home is also someone else's work place, i.e.. care assistant and nursing staff.
It would certainly be one way to meet the requirements for equipment to be inspected under those regulations.
Colin Bignell
True, but even my father and his family were not allowed to use any electrical equipment until it was tested. I don't thing the staff go anywhere near it, apart from a razor which didn't need to be tested as it was brand new.
MBQ
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.