TECHNOLOGY IN H&S UP TO THE TEST
Portable appliance testing (PAT) or electrical equipment testing (EET) is an important part of workplace safety – for employers the priority is always keeping people and equipment safe. It is essential that test procedures, competent person training, and equipment are all up to standard, explains Steve Dunning, Managing Director at Martindale.
SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT A significant number of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances and it is clear that a large number of incidents and injuries could be prevented with proper electrical checks, inspections and safety tests. This article gives an overview of portable appliance testing – for full information always refer to the IET Code of Practice 5th Edition.
Portable appliance testing (PAT), also referred to as electrical equipment testing (EET), describes the examination of electrical appliances and equipment that have been classified as “portable” to ensure that they are safe to use. In accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989), any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury must be maintained in a safe condition.
WHO CAN PAT TEST?
The Code of Practice describes the need for risk assessment and the requirements for testing to be carried out by a competent person. A competent person should be someone with adequate knowledge of electricity, electrical work, the equipment to be tested, and an overall awareness of electrical hazards to enable risk prevention. Furthermore, the person will need the right equipment to carry out the tests, the ability to use the test equipment properly, and the knowledge to be able to properly understand the test results.
Training is vital when it comes to understanding PAT procedures, establishing the frequency of testing, and ensuring that the testing is carried out by a competent individual. Not only are PAT training courses important for employees, but they are also critical for the companies that employ them. Training provides the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge about testing and inspecting different electrical appliances, thereby assuring the safety of the people handling them and those surrounding them.
Organisations that neglect the inspection and testing of appliances or fail to nominate a competent or appropriately trained individual, potentially risk invalidating their insurance policies and endangering lives. Should a fault arise in an appliance that is left unchecked or not properly checked by an under-qualified individual, the consequences could be significant.
WHAT IS CLASSIFIED AS A PORTABLE APPLIANCE ?
For the purposes of PAT regulations, portable appliances are defined as those that use a flexible cable or plug and socket. This means that if there is an appliance that has a plug that is connected to a wall socket or other electrical source it should be PAT tested. This definition includes equipment that is either hand-held or hand-operated while connected to the supply, intended to be moved
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while connected to the supply, or likely to be moved while connected to the supply.
Portable equipment also includes appliances which may have been fixed for security purposes, such as those in public areas of hotels or changing rooms. Including kettles, hairdryers and hand dryers, for instance.
“IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ELECTRICITY AT WORK REGULATIONS (1989), ANY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY MUST BE MAINTAINED IN A SAFE CONDITION.”
When it comes to testing portable appliances, there are many test solutions available. In most cases, PAT tests are performed at the location of the appliance, resulting in an increase in the availability of portable of handheld PAT testers over the past decade. One example being the new HPAT Series of portable appliance testers from Martindale Electric. The HPAT550 and HPAT650, from one of the most trusted brands in electrical safety, enable both contractors and competent in-house personnel to quickly and safely verify the electrical safety of all types of appliances.
HOW OFTEN IS OFTEN ENOUGH? There are no hard and fast rules when it comes
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