Pat testing

Why carry out portable appliance testing?

Portable appliances account for 25% of all reportable electrical accidents according to the Health & Safety Executive. Employers, employees and self-employed persons have a legal responsibility to comply with the provisions of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which state that reasonable practical steps must be taken to ensure that no danger results from the use of electrical equipment. Regulation 4(2) of The Electricity at Work Regulations states that “as may be necessary to prevent danger, all [electrical] systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.”

In order to ensure compliance with Regulation 4(2), the Health and Safety Executive advises an ongoing programme of “formal visual inspection” and “formal visual inspection and safety testing”. What this means in practice is the implementation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing, carried out by competent persons.

Orkid Life’s Policy

Annual Visit to Inspect and/or Test Items Due in accordance with the IEE Code of Practice. A suitably qualified engineer will carry out full inspection and testing of all portable appliances, according to the IEE Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 2008.

Formal Visual Inspection

• Equipment is suitable for the environment and the nature of the work being undertaken.
• Cables are located where they are unlikely to be damaged and no unprotected cables run under carpets.
• Means of disconnection or isolation from the mains supply is readily accessible.
• Space around the equipment is adequate for ventilation and cooling.
• Protective covers are in place

Testing

• Earth Continuity Test
• Fuse Rating Test
• Run/Load Test
• Earth Leakage Test
• Insulation Test
• Flash Test (where applicable).

Any damage or faults to equipment will be recorded and action taken by the User for repair or replacement of equipment as recommended.

All portable appliances will be catalogued and labelled to indicate; the current safety status of equipment, i.e. pass or fail; the date for re-testing and the unique identification code, to help with the location of specific items of equipment.

Inspection and testing should be carried out at the intervals recommended in Table 1, (below); but may vary depending on the type of premises, the equipment type and construction, the type of person who uses the equipment, as well as environmental factors. The frequency of inspection and testing should be reviewed regularly by the User or Owner of the Premises.

Table 1 – Suggested Initial Frequency of Inspection and Testing of Equipment.

S – Stationary Equipment

IT – Information Technology Equipment

M – Movable Equipment

P – Portable Equipment

H – Hand Held Equipment

Note 1 – For some equipment such as children’s rides a daily check may be necessary.

Orkids maintenance policy for the testing and inspection of portable appliances fulfils the requirements of The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974; The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999; The Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Our Work Method Statements are devised according to the IEE Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 2008.

Regulations

As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger. (Regulation 4(2) Electricity at Work Regulations 1992) The Regulations recognise a responsibility that employers and many employees have for electrical systems:

• Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. (Reg 6 Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992)
• It shall be the duty of every employee while at work to co-operate with his employer. (Regulation 3 Electricity at Work Regulations 1992)

Previous inspection and test results should be provided to persons carrying out in-service inspection and tests. (IEE Code of Practise 1994)

The User should report any faults in a log book, maintain the records of inspection and tests and manage the re-inspection and testing at appropriate intervals. (IEE Code of Practise 1994).

Equipment must be regularly inspected. Faulty equipment must not be used. Faulty equipment must be labelled, reported and withdrawn from service. (Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1992)