The following people have responsibility for the electrical safety of their systems and equipment. Users of electrical equipment (whose responsibilities include user checks). Administrators with responsibility for electrical maintenance who may not necessarily have detailed technical knowledge. The competent person carrying out the formal visual inspection and the inspections and tests. Other dutyholders such as company directors, managers or building services managers.

In order to prevent danger, all electrical equipment and systems should be maintained on a regular basis. Each and every piece of electrical equipment must be examined and tested according to the IEE Code of Practice recommendations. This includes equipment both permanently connected, and equipment connected by a plug to a socket outlet.

All electrical systems and equipment should be maintained if danger would otherwise arise. Other than the fixed installation, all electrical equipment in an installation, whether permanently connected or connected by a plug and socket outlet, should be inspected and tested in accordance with the recommendations contained in the IEE Code of Practice. Also, “BS 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations” insists that a fixed installation be examined and tested for safety on a periodic basis.

The Law Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2007 S.I. 299, it is now a requirement under Irish law that all businesses’ are obliged to carry out PAT Testing on all portable appliances to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and customers. The onus to carry out PAT Testing now falls entirely at the feet of the employer who is 100% responsible. In order to comply with regulations records must be kept for at least five years for random spot checks carried out by the HSA.

Irish Insurers/Underwriters are now requesting proof that all portable appliances comply with the legislation prior to the renewal of existing or commencement of new policies. From 1st November, 2007, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2007 S.I. 299, section 81 states that an employer shall ensure that – (1)(a) portable equipment is maintained in a manner fit for safe use and (c) portable equipment which is – (i) exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger, (ii) supplied at a voltage exceeding 125 volts alternating current, is (I) visually checked by the user before use, and (II) periodically inspected by a competent person, appropriate to the nature, location and use of the equipment. (2) An employer shall ensure, where appropriate, that a competent person – (a) tests any portable equipment described in paragraph (1)(c)(i) and(ii)

The Electricity at Work Regulations state in Regulation 4(2) that: As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger. This regulation concerns the need for maintenance to be done as a precautionary measure to ensure safety of the system if danger would otherwise result. Maintenance should be performed on a regular basis in order to be sufficient to forestall any dangerous situations from occurring so far as is reasonably practicable.

The equipment should be examined regularly and electrical testing should be carried out for the purposes of preventive care. Real-world experience on the use of equipment and conditions prevailing can indicate a change to the frequency at which preventive maintenance needs to be done. This is an issue for the responsible person to judge. They need to locate all data needed to make the right judgment on pat testing, including referring to the manufacturers guidelines.