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What is PAT - Portable Appliance Testing

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the inspection of electrical appliances to ensure they are safe. Most faults can be found from a visual examination of the item, but some defects can only be found with a test.

 

What Regulations Are Applied To PAT Testing?

There are five different pieces of legislation that point to the necessity of PAT testing. A chronological summary of each is listed below.

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THE HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK ACT 1974

Regardless of how many employees there are or who the employer is, it is the responsibility of everyone in the workplace to make sure the work environment remains safe for anyone who works at or visits that particular place of business.

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THE ELECTRICITY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1989

All electrical equipment should be constructed and maintained is such a way as to prevent the endangerment of individuals, as much as is possible. These regulations define electrical systems as the entire arrangement of circuitry necessary to run electronic items. This includes the equipment as well as the source of the electricity.

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WORKPLACE (HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE) REGULATIONS 1992

In order to prevent a dangerous work environment that results from faulty equipment, this legislation makes it a requirement for businesses to perform regular maintenance on all equipment in order to keep it functioning properly.

 

THE PROVISION AND USE OF WORK EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998 (PUWER)

This law states that it is the duty of an employer to ensure all equipment at a workplace is properly maintained and working efficiently.

 

THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1999

The most recent regulations applying to PAT testing indicate the responsibility of an employer to adequately assess the conditions of the workplace for the health and safety of all workers. Additionally, it is the employer’s duty to determine possible risks to anyone else who happens to come in contact with the business (e.g. customers).

 

These regulations each fall into one of the following three categories: safety at the workplace, equipment maintenance and electrical systems. When you combine the three categories, it becomes clear that PAT testing is a means of adhering to these regulations.

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