Risk assessments.
There are no set rules for the frequency of PAT testing. Before deciding on any timetable for testing there should be a risk assessment for equipment and appliances. Some equipment needs to be tested more frequently than others – there are many variables to take into account, some of which are listed below.
Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of…
(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and
(b) 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 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
During a risk assessment the following variables are considered:
- The environment: Where the equipment is typically used – building site power tools are at greater risk from damage or misuse than an office printer.
- The users: How equipment is handled can have a real impact on the safety of equipment – well-trained, or the general public? If equipment is damaged or faulty, how likely is it that this will be reported?
- The type of equipment: Hand-held tools are more likely to be damaged or become faulty than fixed appliances such as fridges.
- The equipment construction: Class I equipment has an earth cable – as opposed to class II equipment that has no earth cable, but relies on extra insulation for safety. Class I devices are considered to be more at risk and should be inspected and tested more often.
- Frequency of use: The more that equipment is used and handled the higher the risk – particularly hand-held or mobile devices.
So, hand-held machine tools may require testing every three months, whereas the office copier may only need testing every two years…
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