PAT testing is often viewed as an unnecessary and unwelcome extra burden by many businesses.
Portable Appliance Testing is part of our health and safety conscious world. To comply with their legal obligations, all businesses must have their portable appliances checked every year. Clocktower offer a service to all businesses e:g
What Is A Portable Appliance?
Quite simply, a portable appliance is any piece of electrical equipment that can be moved from area to another and reconnected to the supply via a plug and socket system that is used by an Employee or Tenant plus any Portable Appliance in any public area. Why Should I PAT test? All portable electrical equipment is subject to getting damaged during use, and this damage could render the equipment dangerous to the user. A regular programme of testing and inspection, you can show you have taken “reasonable steps” to ensure the safety of users. Employer or Landlords and letting agents could also be sued in Civil Law under the “duty of care” for failure to ensure that staff or tenants safety and as a result face punitive damages. The PAT Testing Process Portable appliance testing includes a thorough visual check of the Plug/Lead and Appliance, plus a series of tests on professional PAT testing equipment, in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the new 17th Edition Wiring Regulations and your company’s Fire Risk Assessment, tests and inspections. The appliance and/or lead being tested are checked for a variety of faults. It either passes or fails and given a pass or fail sticker as appropriate. A certificate of testing is also provided showing the results of all tests. We will carry out minor repairs at the time of testing (for example an incorrect fuse rating or damaged plug) in order that the equipment is safe to use and can be passed; more significant faults or damage will be reported. The testing will involve switching items off if they are already on. All testing is carried out in accordance with The Institute of Electrical Engineers’ (IEE) code of practice, with full public liability insurance. Microwave Oven Testing for Leakage & Safety We offer a microwave oven testing service for checking leakage and electrical safety to complement our portable appliance testing work, which can be carried out at the same time as your PAT testing. We are able to test both domestic and commercial microwaves. Microwave testing involves measurement of the radiation levels around the oven unit using specialist microwave detection equipment to ensure compliance with legal limits. Legislation Current legislation demands that Employers and Landlords ensure portable appliances are safe. Here are selections of the relevant regulations. Electricity at Work Act 1989 To meet the requirements of the 1989 "Electricity at Work Regulations", it is widely regarded to be necessary to implement a programme of planned inspection & testing of portable appliances. Provisions & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair. Provisions & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Every employer shall ensure that the result of an inspection made under this regulation is recorded and kept until the next inspection. Failure to comply with the Electrical Regulations may constitute a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which carries a maximum penalty on summary conviction of a £5,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment. Landlords As a landlord, you have a duty to prevent harm to your tenants from electrical appliances that you supply in the properties you let. Portable appliance testing ( PAT ) is widely regarded as being the best way of complying with this obligation. This covers all portable appliances that you supply, including fridges and freezers, microwave ovens, (also see microwave testing) televisions and vacuum cleaners. The regulations on electrical appliances for landlords and letting agents The Housing Act 2004 (England and Wales) provides for a safe and healthy environment for any potential occupiers, or visitors, from an electrical perspective this includes portable electric equipment. Guidance from Communities and Local Government (CLG) indicates that when accommodation is re-let, the electrical appliances will be classed as being supplied to that tenant for the first time, and should therefore be re-checked. Please get in touch for current PAT prices
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Get in touch:
Clock Tower Inventories 105 Hatfield Road Bolton BL1 3BL Tel. 01204 435299 ( 24hrs ) Dave’s Mobile 07802 796153 Jan’s Mobile 07909 807163 email: [email protected] Relax, we're insured for:
Professional indemnity Public Liability |
Cllock Tower Inventories
105 Hatfield Road Bolton BL1 3BL Tel. 01204 435299 ( 24hrs )
Dave’s Mobile 07802 796153 Jan’s Mobile 07909 807163 email: [email protected] |