pat testing the law

[colinmorgan100]

hi guys, just need to know the law regarding pat testing. I have an old pat tester (out of calibration date) and would like to use it for a friends shop. just need to pat test about 10 items that are all class 2 equipment. can i do this for him ?

 

[Olec]

Down to you really. The problem is that if something goes wrong with the appliances tested and causes injury or damage to property in the next year (or whatever period your testing for) then it will come back on you. So you need to prove competence-2377 certificate will do this, equiptment fit for purpose- calibration cert will do this.
I do some private pat testing but I can spend the rest of the year knowing that if it comes back on me I have covered my basis- Quals/equiptment/Insurance. Hope that kinda makes sense

 

[colinmorgan100]

hi, i have the competence but I always thought of the pat testing as an mot - it was ok and passed on the day, what happens in the next 12 months you have no control over?

 

[Olec]

Hi, wasn't arguing your competence so apoligies if it sounded like that.

Whether you treat it like an mot or not it's still your name on the cert.Unfortunately we live in a blame culture so if anything was to go wrong then it would come down on your friend as the owner of the premises. He would then show his compliance by employing a pat tester. Then it comes to you and if you can't defend yourself you could thearetically be in the ****.
You could then argue it happened due to something after testing but in my opinion that argument would look better if you had the previous things in place.

 

[colinmorgan100]

yeh point taken, will take it on board.thanks

 

[mechelec]

Have you got a continuity /insulation tester that is calibrated as if you only have a few items it may be better to use it.

 

[colinmorgan100]

nah, work offshore. dont have any calibrated test instruments