Portable Appliance Testing

What is a portable appliance?

A portable appliance is simply an item of electrical equipment, which is connected to the power supply by means of a plug and socket.

Why you need portable appliances tested

There are a number of reasons why appliances should be PAT tested on a regular basis, but the most important ones are:-

1.         To comply with The Electricity at Work Regulations

2.         To comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations

3.         To minimise the risk of fire and injury caused by electrical appliances

4.         To satisfy your Insurance Company.

5.         To comply with all Health & Safety requirements and ISO standards

6.         Quality Assurances also requires you to comply

And finally, one of the first things Fire Officers and Health & Safety Inspectors
usually ask to see on any inspection visit is PAT testing records.

Failure to Comply Penalties:

The following information was obtained from our local Health and Safety Authority

Prosecution of business duty holders who fail to comply could result in the following :-    If the case goes through a court : A fine of up to £20,000.

If the case goes through a high court because of indictment:- The fine is UNLIMITED and a maximum prison sentence of  TWO YEARS.

In either of the above cases there is provision for an additional penalty for each day that the offence continues.