True or false ?
All office equipment must be tested by a qualified electrician every year
False.
Unnecessary electrical safety resting costs office based businesses £30 million a year but it's a myth that all portable electrical appliances in a low-risk environment, such as an office, need to have a portable appliance test (PAT) every year.
The law simply requires employers to ensure electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger - it doesn't state what needs to be done or how often.
The Health and Safety Executive’s advice is that for most office electrical equipment, visual checks for obvious signs of damage or simple tests by a competent member of staff are sufficient.
They are urging businesses not to be fooled into paying for needless testing. Misleading advice is contributing to low risk businesses such as offices, shops and hotels paying over the odds for testing which is simply not required.
In a low risk environment most defects can be identified simply by checking the device for obvious signs of damage such as frayed cables.
Insurers have never required policy holders to undertake unnecessary PAT testing that are not proportionate to the risk.
So if you are a low risk business and you think that you may be paying over the odds for your appliance testing what should you do?
You could take a look at the free HSE guidance at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf
or you could contact FAS Consultancy and Training and request your free initial consultation.
You will receive up to four hours free advice and receive a report detailing what you need to do to ensure that you appliances are safe to use.
And all this just for the price of a cup of tea (or coffee).
Contact Steve Dunstan on Tel: 01524 422 117
Email: safetyconsultant@btinternet.com
