New guidance on portable appliance testing (PAT) has been published, which reveals UK companies are wasting more than £30 million annually by over-maintaining electrical appliances.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has published the fourth edition of its ‘Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment’. The guide suggests £120 million could be saved by businesses over the next four years if they adopt a common-sense approach to PAT.
The new publication clarifies it isn’t a legal requirement for companies to carry out PAT on every electrical appliance annually. It advises businesses to take a proportionate risk-based approach to testing, which should consider the usage, type and environment of the equipment under question.
IET chief electrical engineer Geoff Cronshaw said: “Misunderstandings around inspection and testing of electrical equipment have led to low-risk businesses paying unnecessarily for over-the-top maintenance regimes.
“This publication incorporates major changes reflecting Professor Löfstedt’s report and the HSE’s view that promotes a proportionate, risk-based approach when assessing the safety of electrical equipment and appliances, potentially saving businesses millions of pounds.”
The guidance was developed by IET alongside industry stakeholders including the HSE. Head of the regulator’s work the environment, radiation and gas division, Peter Brown, said: “We welcome the publication, which will help promote a balanced, risk-based approach to determine how frequently equipment should be maintained, reducing the likelihood of businesses wasting money on unnecessary testing.”
To purchase the Code of Practice online, visit www.theiet.org/electrical
In addition, the IET will be hosting a free webinar on the Code of Practice, which takes place on 14 November and can be viewed at www.theiet.org/webinar-form-pr
Very true, Trevor. The question is, ‘sales through fear…of what?’
Fear of a worker being electrocuted by their IT system or fear of a prosecution for not having a robust and documented inspection regime?
A lot of these sorts of over the top inspection regimes are caused by 2 factors. in the case of PAT I’ve heard electical contractors wrongly saying to businesses that PA Testing everything annually including phone chargers is a legal requirement, that is poor advice. However if businesses could be bothered to study and learn a little about H & S they would come across indg 236 & 237 for all to see on the HSE website. Bad advice against can’t be bothered to learn.
At last some sense has been absorbed by the “Authorities”. Annual PAT testing was always unnecessary. In fact any engagement of a PAT company to test the water heaters and computers etc. was complete over kill. Any Facilities Manager or owner could have done the same thing with a hand held voltmeter on a scheduled basis and gained the same degree of safety. This is a case of sales through fear.