27/10/2024
Seen on Facebook this week in response to someone looking for a PAT Tester:
“Don’t bother. The HSE stopped doing it because they identified no faults that could not be identified by visual inspection”
This is misleading and misrepresents the facts on many levels. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) did not stop doing inspections because a visual inspection can identify all faults, but because the type of inspection required depends on the equipment and the environment in which it is used.
To put the "Don't bother" statement into context;
As a government department the HSE spared no expense in the set-up of their own offices. These offices are well laid out with each desk having dedicated sockets with cables carefully routed out of harm’s way. In addition, the HSE also implemented a monitoring programme which included routine user checks and visual inspections. HSE invested in training to ensure staff carried out these checks and inspections. All very controlled and all very well thought out.
To say they stopped PAT Testing is misleading as they have put systems in place that both negate PAT Testing and satisfy their legal duty of care under several pieces of legislation. Unfortunately, many companies do nothing year-on-year and the only time it's appliances are checked is by someone like me.
To say "Don’t bother. The HSE stopped doing it" is fine but please give the whole picture. To do nothing would be foolhardy and could well lead to injury or worse. Appliances still need monitoring for electrical safety and companies still have a duty of care under several pieces of legislation.
Although PAT Testing is not required by law, it is a useful mechanism to show that companies are, at least, trying to exercise that duty. That could go a long way if the unthinkable happened and they found themselves in a burnt out building, or worse, a court.
If you are at all worried or confused about PAT Testing then please contact me, I will try to help.
Gary.
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