Electricity at work and the Löfstedt review

In his review of health and safety regulation, Reclaiming health and safety for all, Professor Löfstedt recommended that the requirement for portable appliance testing (PAT) should be further clarified (including changes to the wording of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 if necessary) to stop over-compliance.

The HSE subsequently clarified the law: “The law simply requires an employer to ensure that electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger — it does not state that every item has to be tested or how often testing needs to be carried out. Testing appliances to ensure that they are safe to use can contribute to an effective maintenance regime, but in a low-risk environment most dangerous defects can be found simply by checking the appliances for obvious signs of damage such as frayed cables.”

It published revised guidance on portable appliance testing (PAT), Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments which can be found on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.htm

Further information on portable appliance testing can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm.