The latest Edition of the Code of Practice highlights the need of risk assessment to ensure you are in a safe working environment. The code still requires PAT testing to be performed by a capable person, but what does that involve? When we say capable person we mean “Someone who possesses sufficient technical experience to ensure that damage is avoided.”
The Code of practice goes on to explain what technical knowledge or experience involves, including having a sufficient understanding of electricity, a sufficient understanding and practical knowledge of the system or appliances to be worked on, and a sufficient understanding of the dangers that may arise and the precautionary measures.
Because there are certain procedures for testing and inspecting electrical appliances, attending portable appliance testing training classes is essential for understanding these procedures. Consider what would happen if an employer allocated a task to someone who was not totally qualified and an accident occurred. It could lead to liability difficulties.
Ensuring a safe working environment
To ensure that your employees are in a safe working environment and for complete peace of mind it is advisable to employ a professional PAT testing professional.
Companies who fail to have their appliances inspected and tested by a competent and certified professional risk invalidating their insurance plans as well as jeopardising their staff and possibly members of the public. The implications of a problem in an appliance that is either left unchecked or undiagnosed by an unqualified worker could be fatal.
So what ensures a good PAT testing provider?
