Frequently Asked Questions
Why is portable appliance
testing required?
Who is responsible
for portable appliance safety?
Is
electrical testing a requirement of my insurance company?
Why have I
not needed to have testing carried out before?
What will
happen if you don't have testing carried out?
I run a small
business, do I need to have my portable appliances tested?
How often should
I get my portable appliances tested?
How will I know when my next
test is due?
Why is portable appliance
testing required?
An employer has the responsibility of taking adequate steps to ensure that users
of the appliances are protected from both electrical shock and fire hazards.
They also have to meet the requirements of the 1989 Electricity at Work act.
To meet this it is widely regarded to be necessary to implement a regular
program of inspecting and testing of portable appliances.
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Who is responsible
for portable appliance safety?
All businesses from a small firm (Including the self-employed) to much larger
organisations have a responsibility for the safe use and maintenance of their
electrical appliances. As well as the responsibility for their own appliances they
are also responsible for appliances brought onto site by employees and
contractors.
Landlords are responsible for any equipment they provide.
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Is
electrical testing a requirement of my insurance company?
Alot of insurers insist that portable appliance testing be carried out on
a regular basis, and more are starting to join with this idea. If you suffer an
avoidable accident, then under law if found guilty you will be deemed to of
committed a criminal offence. Insurers will not pay fines or compensation
resulting from a criminal offence.
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Why have I
not needed to have testing carried out before?
There has always been a requirement to satisfy Health & Safety
legislation. In 1989 The Electricity at work Regulations came into force, which
clarifies the need to maintain electrical systems safely. So there has always
been a need and test data results will form a major part of your defence should
an accident occur which leads to prosecution.
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What will happen
if you don't have testing carried out?
Unless and until you suffer an accident then most probably nothing will happen.
However, you should remember that maintenance of a electrical system is a legal
requirement. therefore a preventable accident could lead to prosecution, for
which there will be no insurance cover.
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I run a small business, do I need to have my portable appliances tested?
The Electricity at Work Regulations apply to all businesses from multi-nationals
to sole traders. So you still need to comply to them.
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How often should
I get my portable appliances tested?
The results of previous tests should be considered in a programme of risk
assessments. In the absence of such history then the following intervals could
be considered as a guide. But remember that other factors such as the ability of
site staff to identify potential damage or faults and take suitable action.
Mechanical damage and abuse must also be taken into consideration.
Low-risk 24-Monthly or more
Medium risk 12-Monthly
High risk (i.e. workshop equipment) 6-monthly
Very high risk (i.e. site equipment) 3-monthly
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How will I know when my next
test is due?
We hold records of all clients, together with re-test dates on our database and
remind clients when re-tests are due.
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