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Is PAT testing a legal requirement?

3 Answers

Answered by National Safety Inspections

15th November 2021

National Safety Inspections answered the question "Is PAT testing a legal requirement?"

PAT Testing itself is not a legal requirement, however, it is a legal requirement to ensure that all electrical equipment you provide in your property is safe and properly maintained. PAT Testing provides the most effective way to identify possible faults in electrical equipment and electrical wiring that pose a potential hazard. Insurance companies along with the UK Health and Safety Executive will expect regular PAT Testing to ensure you are compliant with safety regulations. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, Landlords must ensure appliances provided are 'safe'. The best way to check they are safe is by doing a PAT test.

Answered by Keynston Services

6th March 2020

Keynston Services answered the question "Is PAT testing a legal requirement?"

A PAT test per se is not a legal requirement but businesses and householders are required to comply with legislation such as Health & Safety, The Electricity at Work Regulations, and in England from this summer The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 which are going through Parliament now. Similar law is already in place elsewhere in the UK. PAT testing is an established way to demonstrate effective management of electrical equipment, which can be challenged through the courts if a serious incident occurs and the Police or H&S executive decide to prosecute an individual or a business.

Answered by Yorkshire Electricians Ltd

23rd March 2019

Yorkshire Electricians Ltd answered the question "Is PAT testing a legal requirement?"

Simply Put, NO. PAT testing isn’t a legal requirement, although without a PAT test certificate it would be very difficult to prove you have adequately ensured they are safe to use. If your an employer or landlord you have a duty of care to ensure the equipment is safe, the preferred method is by PAT testing. The following are direct quotes from the HSE website: “The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition. However, the Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by whom or how frequently (ie they don't make inspection or testing of electrical appliances a legal requirement, nor do they make it a legal requirement to undertake this annually).” “The law simply requires an employer to ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger. It does not say how this should be done or how often. Employers should take a risk-based approach, considering the type of equipment and what it is being used for. If it is used regularly and moved a lot e.g. a floor cleaner or a kettle, testing (along with visual checks) can be an important part of an effective maintenance regime giving employers confidence that they are doing what is necessary to help them meet their legal duties. HSE provides guidance on how to maintain equipment including the use of PAT.”

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