| With the current health and Safety regulations all | | | | NICEIC stands for the National Inspection Council for |
| businesses must make sure that there electrical | | | | Electrical Installation Contracting which has stringent |
| appliances are PAT tested. But what are the | | | | standards providing you with peace of mind. The |
| regulations and how do you find a reliable PAT testing | | | | organisation you are considering to carry out PAT |
| company? | | | | testing on your behalf should be accredited by such an |
| Within the UK, The Health and Safety Executive, and in | | | | external organisation. A full method statement and risk |
| particular the Electricity at Work Regulations, 1989, | | | | assessment of the necessary work to be done in |
| state that in order to be certain they incur no risk of | | | | order to make sure maintenance of equipment is at |
| injury to those persons using them and that they are | | | | the required level will be supplied by these companies. |
| totally safe, all electrical appliances should be tested on | | | | Although the City and Guilds 2377 certificate is not |
| a regular basis. This is a vital part of any health and | | | | legally obliged to be held by the engineers completing |
| safety policy as far as the workplace is concerned | | | | your testing, such qualifications are likely enhance your |
| and is known at PAT Testing or Portable Appliance | | | | confidence in a particular PAT testing company. |
| Testing. | | | | You can request to look over copies of certificates |
| More than 25% of reported accidents occurring at | | | | issued to the PAT testing company by the calibration |
| work involve electrical appliances of a portable nature | | | | firms if you want to make sure that the equipment |
| and figures indicate that due to incorrect maintenance | | | | being used to check your portable electrical appliances |
| in situations where PAT testing has not been carried | | | | is in good working order. It is also in your interest to |
| out, injuries are regularly sustained to those using the | | | | ensure the company you decide to use for testing is |
| electrical equipment concerned. Electrical appliances | | | | fully insured as your entire business is being placed in |
| which are either not kept in good condition or are used | | | | their hands and should anything amiss occur whilst |
| for purposes other than those intended and more | | | | your equipment is being tested you will need to be fully |
| often than not in unsuitable conditions, frequently lead | | | | compensated for your losses. |
| to incidents of fire. | | | | The cost of your PAT testing is also an important |
| The type of appliance determines the level at which | | | | factor to take into account when selecting the |
| the equipment needs to be tested along with its | | | | company to do the job. It is not always the best choice |
| location; the way in which it is to be used and how | | | | to opt for the cheapest company to do the work for |
| likely it is to become faulty. Nonetheless, a legal | | | | you in the same way as the most expensive |
| obligation is placed by the Health and Safety Executive | | | | company may not give any better a service. Make |
| on employers and self-employed persons where | | | | sure you are aware of those extras which you may |
| electrical appliances are used by workers, in places | | | | find added to the final bill before taking a company on |
| where the service or repair of equipment is carried out, | | | | board and this will ensure you will only pay what you |
| or for example, used by the public in such places as | | | | expect to pay when the time comes. In order to help |
| hotels, schools, shops medical centres, and businesses | | | | you pick the right testing company for you, don't be |
| where equipment is available for hire. | | | | hesitant to ask for references who you can contact to |
| You need to make sure your portable electric | | | | enquire about the way the company conducted |
| appliances are tested accordingly if you fall into any of | | | | themselves. |
| the above mentioned groups. | | | | It is important that during the testing of your equipment |
| How Do You Decide Which PAT Testing Company | | | | your business turnover is not affected. It is simply not |
| To Use? | | | | practical to down tools for the duration of the tests. |
| Before making your decision about which PAT Testing | | | | You could, of course, choose a flexible PAT testing |
| company to use, there are a few questions you should | | | | company who are willing to work around your |
| be asking. It is worth bearing in mind that a lot of time | | | | schedule to ensure no production time is wasted. |
| and money can be saved both now and in the future if | | | | By checking out the above mentioned points you are |
| you take the time to carry out some research before | | | | sure to find a PAT testing company you are happy |
| you go ahead. | | | | with and once found, you can more or less guarantee |
| NICEIC | | | | a successful working relationship for the future. |