PAT testing is a legal requirement in all privately owned rental properties in Edinburgh and Scotland for that matter. This is also the case for an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
Is Business PAT testing in Edinburgh a legal requirement?
Although business PAT testing (also known as electrical equipment testing) may not be a legal requirement for most businesses, it is a legal requirement that they keep their equipment well-maintained to protect employees and customers from harm.
The most effective way to ensure your electrical equipment is safe is by carrying out regular PAT testing by a fully qualified PAT Testing engineer.
Your insurance company may also specify that PAT testing is required for your public liability and employer’s liability cover to be valid. It’s worth checking with your insurance provider if looking for confirmation.
Also larger companies often have it noted in their company policy to carry our annual PAT testing to insure the health and safety of their staff and customers. If you require annual PAT testing then PAT Test Edinburgh are here to help.
There are also established Health and Safety regulations that PAT testing would fall under which we have detailed below for you.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work Act advises that “it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
This means that it is your responsibility to make sure that the working environment is safe for all employees.
This applies to staff that might be working from home too: “so far as is reasonably practicable as regards any place of work under the employer’s control.”
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states that you must keep all electrical equipment that could cause injury in a safe condition.
“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger”.
Electrical equipment can be dangerous if not well-maintained. Not only can equipment cause electric shock, but a malfunction or overload can result in an electrical fire.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (also known as PUWER) requires that equipment provided for use at work is maintained in a safe condition and regularly inspected to ensure it does not become dangerous to use.
“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”
“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations is inspected at suitable intervals and each time that exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the work equipment have occurred.”
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states that employers carry out risk assessments to identify the dangers to employees, customers and site visitors. The employee must also and take measures to mitigate against these risks.
“Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work, and the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking.”
The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992
The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 were created to ensure that staff operate in a safe, clean and well-lit environment. The regulations also apply to non-employees who may use the premises.
Ensuring that electrical equipment is well-maintained reduces the risk of it malfunctioning and causing illness or injury.
“The workplace and the equipment, devices and systems to which this regulation applies shall be maintained (including cleaned as appropriate) in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. Where appropriate, the equipment, devices and systems to which this regulation applies shall be subject to a suitable system of maintenance.”
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