Pat testing for self-employed individuals

[Dicky Woollard]

In this particular instance. I’m referring to a company of one person, who works within his his own rented property within a larger building, who uses power tools to carry out repairs. Would he need to PAT Test his appliances or is he not required as he has no employees.

It's hard to answer this one with certainty. The Health and Safety at Work Act, The Using Electric Equipment Regs etc. make it clear that ALL electrical equipment used for work must be safe. That's everything from the mains supply transformer in the street outside, to the hand dryer in the loo. What is not quite so cut and dried is what needs to be done. There are guide lines from IET (4TH Ed) that say office equipment (as that's what I understand your friend uses) of Class I should be tested and inspected every 2 years. But it is only guidance. As he or she only ones a duty of care to themselves they can get away with not following the guidance. They can be sensible and do regular visual inspection and feel safe.
HOWEVER
If their electrical equipment is used in interaction with the PUBLIC that makes all the difference. Do they have visitors who make themselves a brew? A cleaner using a vacuum? A sales rep using a hand dryer?
In these cases they owe a duty of care. In these cases, they must ensure all electrical equipment is safe.
How do you do that!? You inspect. You keep a register. You test.
Hope that helps

 

[Pete999]

If you are an Electrician, self employed, and you need to know if your portable tools are safe to use, then give up.

Why is that Dick please explain

 

[Dicky Woollard]

In this particular instance. I’m referring to a company of one person, who works within his his own rented property within a larger building, who uses power tools to carry out repairs. Would he need to PAT Test his appliances or is he not required as he has no employees.

It's hard to answer this one with certainty. The Health and Safety at Work Act, The Using Electric Equipment Regs etc. make it clear that ALL electrical equipment used for work must be safe. That's everything from the mains supply transformer in the street outside, to the hand dryer in the loo. What is not quite so cut and dried is what needs to be done. There are guide lines from IET (4TH Ed) that say office equipment (as that's what I understand your friend uses) of Class I should be tested and inspected every 2 years. But it is only guidance. As he or she only owes a duty of care to themselves they can get away with not following the guidance. They can be sensible and do regular visual inspection and feel safe.
HOWEVER
If their electrical equipment is used in interaction with the PUBLIC that makes all the difference. Do they have visitors who make themselves a brew? A cleaner using a vacuum? A sales rep using a hand dryer?
In these cases they owe a duty of care. In these cases, they must ensure all electrical equipment is safe.
How do you do that!? You inspect. You keep a register. You test.
Hope that helps

 

[ipf]

and it all just leads to people making money out of others' 'common dense'...….

…...especially if they're using dimwits to do their testing.
Judging by one earlier 'dislike', we've already got one involved.

 

[PhilGas]

From HSE 'PAT - Portable appliance testing FAQs'

'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)'.
They leave it quite open for them but will be ready to catch you it it goes wrong.

 

[Pete999]

It's hard to answer this one with certainty. The Health and Safety at Work Act, The Using Electric Equipment Regs etc. make it clear that ALL electrical equipment used for work must be safe. That's everything from the mains supply transformer in the street outside, to the hand dryer in the loo. What is not quite so cut and dried is what needs to be done. There are guide lines from IET (4TH Ed) that say office equipment (as that's what I understand your friend uses) of Class I should be tested and inspected every 2 years. But it is only guidance. As he or she only owes a duty of care to themselves they can get away with not following the guidance. They can be sensible and do regular visual inspection and feel safe.
HOWEVER
If their electrical equipment is used in interaction with the PUBLIC that makes all the difference. Do they have visitors who make themselves a brew? A cleaner using a vacuum? A sales rep using a hand dryer?
In these cases they owe a duty of care. In these cases, they must ensure all electrical equipment is safe.
How do you do that!? You inspect. You keep a register. You test.
Hope that helps

Thought so

 

[gnuuser]

getting the equipment inspected and tested in a timely manor is a common sense measure (preferably by someone other than yourself) especially if your equipment is insured
this reason being my equipment is insured and even though i can inspect and repair equipment many insurance companies will not accept a self inspection.

 

[oracle]

" Hello Pirate, I've got a new tenant coming in next week. Can you come and do the PAT testing (sic)"

"Yes, of course...what have you got?"

"Oh, just a kettle, microwave, toaster, oven and hob...and maybe 6 table lamps, stuff like that".

"Why do you want me to come and test them?"

"Because I want to be able to demonstrate that I have at least tried to make sure they are safe for the tenant to use"

"OK, fair enough. I'll need to do a full risk assessment, including PA testing of my drill in case I need to use it to make some holes in the walls"

"WHAT???"

"Can't have it blowing up and killing us both, can I?"

"Are you serious. Pirate?"

"No! I'll do it myself, and as I don't employ anyone else, I can just get on with it...but you will have to stay at a safe distance, obviously"

"Whew! I was a bit worried there! So, you will come round and test these items so that they are safe to use? That's it?"

"Yup, just like that!"

"May I ask how much it will cost?"

"Of course! You are half an hour away, you have maybe a dozen items to test, assuming no problems, maybe an hour...how about £80?. I'll do the paperwork in the evening and email you the results, but I'll sticker the passes at the time."

"How about £50?"

"Oh...what's the rent?"

" £1500/month"

"No"

I’ll do it for £50 so how about I can rent the property for £1000/month?