Does your business comply with S.I. No. 299 of 2007?
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007
The requirement for PAT Testing Regulations Ireland is relatively new. Apart from the regulation many insurance companies and standards authorities are insisting on companies developing PAT Testing within their organisation. The risks to employees, employers and businesses are very real, not only from the risk of electrical shock but also the risk of fire caused by faulty appliances.
So what exactly does the law say about PAT Testing?
The regulations on Portable Appliance Testing in Ireland can be found in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, SI 299, 2007. The regulation directs employers to ensure that all portable equipment used in their place of work is periodically inspected and tested by a competent person.
Download a copy of the HSA Guide to the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 from our resources page
Portable Appliance Testing is a physical examination and a series of tests carried out on portable appliances, including leads that are not fitted to the item. It is to assess the operational safety of the appliance and the safety of those operating the equipment. Tests are conducted on-site using a microprocessor controlled test instrument and the results downloaded to a computer and stored, after which a detailed report is issued to the customer.
By PAT Testing all portable equipment, employers are able to ascertain whether or not the portable equipment (including cables and plugs) was safe and without risk on the day of the test, to persons coming into direct or indirect contact with any live part of the equipment (as far as could reasonably be ascertained).
Under current Health and Safety Regulations it is mandatory for all companies to have their portable electrical appliances periodically tested to ensure the safety of such appliances. Portable appliances include all electrical appliances which can be unplugged and moved to a different location.
Regulation 81: Portable equipment, as amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 732 of 2007) states,
“portable equipment” means equipment, including hand-held portable equipment, which—
(a) because of the manner in which it is to be used, requires to be moved while it is working,
(b) is designed so that it can be moved while it is working, or
(c) is moved from time to time between the periods during which it is working;
While testing is done on a regular bases the frequency of testing varies. PAT Tests are recommendations based on the type of equipment. This ranges from 3 to months to 5 years depending on its operating environment.
Download a copy of the recommended frequencies for PAT Testing Ireland from our resources page
Leads get different tests to the equipment. The tests are quite different and you would not be able to enter results for both lead and appliance under one item.
There are a number of reasons why leads are tested separately, t he code of practice for inspection and testing states that leads should be tested and labelled separately. The code of practice is not a legal document but can be used in a court of law against the defendant if a case was brought to trial.
The results of PAT inspections and tests must be recorded and kept available for 5 years from the date of inspection. These must be available for inspection by an inspector and access is made available to users of the equipment upon request.
When an item fails a PAT test it must be clearly marked and taken out of service. In some cases to comply with house health and safety regulations the plug may be removed to ensure the item cannot be used accidentally.
An item that fails a PAT Test can only be put back into service when it has been repaired and has passed a retest.
To ensure your business meets legislation requirements, standards and insurance requirements, book your PAT Testing now without delay….
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