SAFETY REGULATIONS

Contrary to popular belief, there is no specific regulative requirement relating to either electrical testing or Portable appliances. Rather, the need for maintenance and with systems generally.

Regulation 6 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires that: “Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair”.

Efficient in this context is to be understood in terms of providing sufficiently for health and safety.

The need to maintain portable appliances, compared with other parts of the system, should certainly not be underestimated given the increased likelihood of damage and the tendency for people to have contact with such equipment during use.

Inspection/testing are essential to the maintenance of portable appliances because it is the means by which the need for maintenance is determined.

However, it is important for duty holders to recognise that the carrying out of testing and inspection procedures does NOT,
in its self, meet the regulative requirement- it is the maintenance of the equipment which is all important.

The maintenance of portable appliances should properly be regarded as part of a wider strategy of overall
maintenance of the system.