Portable electric appliance testing

Electrical and gas supply system records >- Portable electrical appliance test records >- Details of numbers of employees/others who may be on site... 

Table 8.2 summarises the HSE s guidance on the type and frequency of inspections and tests for portable electrical appliances in offices and hotels, etc. 

If you can answer yes to the above points then the risks are adequately controlled, but you need to state the precautions you have put in place. You can refer to company procedures, company rules, company practices, etc. in giving this information. For example, if we consider there might be a risk of electric shock from using electrical power tools, then the risk of a shock will be less if the company policy is to portable appliance test (PAT) all power tools each year and to fit a label to the tool showing that it has been tested for electrical safety. 

Most of the limitations may be addressed and the reduction in electrical accidents and injuries enables the advantages of portable appliance testing to greatly outweigh the limitations. 

As with all electrical supplies and installations those relating to construction operations should be installed in accordance with the lEE Wiring Regulations. Arrangements should be established that all contractors on site ensure that their electrical equipment is portable appliance tested in accordance with HSE s guidelines in HSG141. The frequency of test differs from that in an office, hotei, etc. environment in that the arduous environment in which the equipment is used reduces the time frames between tests as detailed in Table 8.4. 

An employer (responsible person) is operating in a small office environment with a large number of pieces of electrical office type equipment. The electrical equipment has been sourced from a reputable supplier in line with the company s procurement policy. Staff undertake pre-user checks on an ad hoc basis as per their induction training guidance. Annual portable appliance testing is carried out by a competent external contractor. 

Records of the inspecting and testing of portable appliances are not required by law but within the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 it is generally accepted... 

It is particularly important to check that the plug top and cables of handheld electrically powered tools and extension leads are in good condition. Damaged plug tops and cables must be repaired before you use them. All electrical power tools of 110 and 230 V must be tested with a portable appliance tester (PAT) in accordance with the company s health and safety procedures, but probably at least once each year. 

Electrical equipment is safe when properly selected, used and maintained. It is important, however, that the environmental conditions are always carefully considered. The hazards associated with portable appliances increase with the frequency of use and the harshness of the environment (construction sites are often particularly hazardous in this respect). These factors must be considered when inspection, testing and maintenance procedures are being developed. 

In the case of portable equipment, testing is often carried out using a proprietary portable appliance tester (PAT). One useful test is the measurement of e insulation resistance to confirm that it is sufficiently high to prevent undue current leakage. Additionally, for class I equipment (that must be earthed) it is important to verify that the connection to earth is sound, i.e. its electrical resistance is low, and that the conductor is capable of carrying the sort of high current that may occur under fault conditions. Both the HSE and the lEE have produced guidance on electrical equipment maintenance. ... 

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