Legislation

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To comply with the law, and for your peace of mind, all your electrical appliances must be routinely inspected and tested by an organisation qualified to do so. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) does not specify that you have to use a qualified electrical contractor, but why take any risk and appoint anyone less qualified to do this important work?

The law states clearly that all employers have a legal obligation to maintain all electrical equipment in order to ensure a safe working environment. This includes all electrically operated items such as computers, printers, photocopiers, kettles, extension leads, vacuums etc…

All landlords and letting agents have a duty of care to ensure all electrical equipment supplied within a let house or building such as washing machines, fridges, freezers, lawn mowers etc… are safe.

PAT Testing is the accepted method in which to meet the obligations placed by the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act and needs to be carried out by engineers competent to do so with appropriate calibrated test equipment.

The relevant legislation in part summary is:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Failure to comply can have very serious consequences and may even constitute a criminal offence under the Consumers Protection Act 1987. In the event of an accident, or inspection, your business could be closed down if you are unable to demonstrate compliance and many insurance companies are now insisting that you have proof of compliance prior to offering insurance cover.

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