Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

PAT testing or portable appliance testing is an important part of any Health & Safety Policy. The Health & Safety Executive states that 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances. The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employrs, employees and self-employed persons to comply with the provisins of the regulations and take resonable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of such equipment.

This in effect requires the implmentation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing. The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an obligation in the following circumstances:

Where appliances are used by employees
Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc.
Where appliances are supplied or hired
Where appliances are repairedor serviced

The level of inspection and testing required is dependant upon the risk associated with that appliance becoming faulty, which is in turn dependant upon the ype of appliance, the nature of its use and the enviornment in which it is used.

We currently undertake the full range of portable appliance testing utilising the latest appliance testing equipment.

Our appliance testers are subject to annual calibration to UKAS traceable standards.

Call us now on 0191 518 0837 to discuss your PAT testing requirements.

»TOP TIPS - Cut Your Heating Costs

Don't turn up the heating unless you really need to. Unless it's just too cold for comfort, try to keep your thermostat at 19C. Your heating costs will go up by 8% each time you increase the temperature by just one degree.

Encourage your employees to wear warmer clothing if they are feeling the cold.

Don't heat unused space. Storerooms or corridors don't need to be kept as warm as areas in which people spend long periods of time. Equally, if people are doing a lot of physical work in a particular area, the heating can be turned down.

Maintain your equipment properly. If you don't regularly check your heating equipment, you could be adding as much as 10% to your heating bill without knowing it.

»TOP TIPS - Reduce Your Lighting Bill

Switch lights off in empty rooms. You could cut your lighting costs by as much as 15%, just by making sure you turn off lights in rooms and corridors that aren't being used.

Don't use more light than you need. If you're only working in part of the room, why have all the lights on? Don't strain your eyes, but try not to use more light than you need.

Maintain existing lighting systems. A maintenance programme can reduce costs by up to 15% as well as improving light output and appearance.