Portable                Appliance Testing

Legal Requirements

The legislation of specific relevance to electrical maintenance is the Health & Safety at Work etc.Act 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974puts the duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes the self employed.

Portable Appliance Testing or PAT is an important part of the health & safety policy and codes of the university. The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and self-employed persons to comply with the provisions of the regulations and take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of such equipment. This therefore requires the implementation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing.