[johnson]

hi all
       Just got a quick question can any one tell me when you need to get hovers ect pat tested all my hovers ect are new i have been told that i dont have to have them tested untill thay are 12 months old is this right??  if any one can help that would be great thanks again 

[martin19842]

hi there

if you workig in some industrial sites, ie build cleans the developers may ask for them to be done before that

regards

martin

[Andy Foster]

Hi

I have had an inspection recently by the Environmental Heath guys and PAT testing was one of the issues they raised as a 'desired' procedure.
It is worth remembering that there is no 'legal' requirement to have PAT testing done at all and as long as you can prove that you are being vigilant about damaged cables and casings, then that is all you 'need' to do.

HOWEVER - some customers will insist on seeing proof of PAT testing before letting you on site and it is always a good idea to have an experts opinion on what is safe and what isn't.
Most importantly, the safety of your staff and customer's staff may depend on you providing safe equipment and PAT testing is an inexpensive way of ensuring that you do not end up the wrong side of a compensation claim.

I have taken advice from a company called Sea Blue Systems, who specialise in PAT testing, and they are very reasonably priced too.

The website address is http://www.seabluesystems.co.uk, ask for Mark Withington.
If you tell him Andy Foster from AF Systems gave you his details it would be appreciated.

He will be able to give you advice on intervals between tests etc.

Good luck

Andy

[johnson]

thanks to both of you
                                 I must admit this has lost me but i will ring them in the morrning as i have just started out and need to get things right as you say there is no legal rules for this thanks again for the help.

[Andy Foster]

Mark was great with me and didn't baffle me with jargon, just explained the basics and answered my questions...

Made it seem quite simple.

Cheers

Andy

[johnson]

Thanks Andy will ring in the morrning and let you know the out come thanks again its good to know that there are people that want to help as starting up is never easy thanks again mate Johnson.

[Robert Parry]

Just a short note guy's, PAT testing is actually required by law, it is not considered best practice, PAT testing is not required on new equipment(less than 12 months old) unless a repair has been undertaken(new cable etc)

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:

"All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger."

"As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger."

"'System' means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment"

"'Electrical Equipment' includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy."

Scope of the legislation

It is clear that the combination of the HSW Act 1974, the PUWER 1998 and the EAW Regulations 1989 apply to all electrical equipment used in, or associated with, places of work. The scope extends from distribution systems down to the smallest piece of electrical equipment.

It is clear that there is a requirement to inspect and test all types of electrical equipment in all work situations.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Hope this helps.

[*Chris Browne]

Its just a shame they are so expensive to purchase for something you will only use very frequently, i did find a site that did second hand pat testing machines and its somewhere on this forum, if you search pat testing you should find it, also i remember someone saying they would hire there's out if you made a donation to charity(obviously you would have to be pretty close to them!)


 chris

[calmore]

Legally, you don't have to PAT test at all. However, you DO have to ensure appliances are safe and probably the easiest/quickest way to do this is to inspect and PAT test.

The majority of faults can be found through visual inspection and it's important to inspect BEFORE testing.

Items such as HWE equipment should be tested at least once a year, preferably 6 monthly (IMO). It is also important to give the machine a quick visual check each and every time it is used.

[Andy Foster]

Calmore is right... the legal obligation is to MAINTAIN the equipment, NOT test it.

Visual checks should always be done prior to use and regular testing is just a way of proving that you are maintaining the equipment well.

Buying a PAT testing machine can be expensive unless you have a lot of kit to test and even then it will take some time for it to pay for itself.

Best leave it to someone who has already invested in the testing equipment and that is doing this for a living... also show that a 3rd party has confirmed the safety of the kit and not yourself.

[johnson]

Hi all
        Did not get to make that phone call today but have had a chat with a frend of mine that works in my local council and he has told me that it is a legal requirement that all elec equipment is tested every 6 months and a visual check should be done each time that you ues your epuipment and all stickers must be insight but thank you all for your help on this and its good to know that there are people out there that are willing to help thanks to you all am sure i will be calling on you all again some time soon there is so mutch to learn when you are just starting out .johnson
       

[Art]

Johnson,

 Have a look at www.scsf.co.uk it's very helpful for newbies

Arthur

[drivewasher]

It is not a legal requirement to pat test. But if a fault was to occur and caused an accident then a PAT test certificate for the item is your way out, that is you have taken all due care and relevent saftey checks. It's a bit like the silver foil in a paper bamk note to prove it's legit.
As someone has already said it's up to everyone to keep thier eye on the ball so to speak, if you see exposed inner cores at the plug end of a lead you should report it or sort it out

Also it's not just a case of buying a PAT tester or hireing one, the operator needs pat testing training and should be competent to use it. This involves some electrical knowlege and calculations. IE the length of an extension lead is important inrelation to it's conductor cross section, and fuse values etc. Some equipment cannot be high voltage tested to earth like computors and electronic machines.
Not all equipment needs to be tested at the same time interval, testing is shedueled dependant on the risk factor of that appliance, IE an electric kettle on a steel sink is high risk test every 3 or 6 months, an electric steam cleaner/pressure washer is very high risk. Where as a reading lamp or paper shredder is relativley low risk and test say 6 or 12 monthly

[johnson]

hi all
       Just to let you all know that i have decide to have them pat tested after all i think its beter to be save than sorry have booked them in it will cost £60 for three hovers but i think thats got to be worth as it may make the difference between getting work or not once again thank you all for your help on this.

[Art]

Johnston,

£60 to pat test 3 hoovers is a complete rip off, i'm in the South East and i pay £4.50 per item. Shop around that's way over the top.

Arthur

[*Chris Browne]

Jeeeeeeez , £60 quid? is there no-one on one of the contracts that maybe you clean that would do it?, thats almost £10.00 a second!

Chris

www.scsf.co.uk

[Mr BSF]

It is a rip off but the problem you have got as I see it is that the company has a minimum charge, as most pat testing companies will charge £120 then something daft like 1p per item up to a certain number.

You might be better off taking the vacs to a company yourself, they should only charge a few quid for each item.

As with electrical equipment left on sites, always include in your t & c’s that they test it when required, I have never had a problem with this as your stuff is done when they get their equipment tested, it only costs them pennies.

Regards

BSF

[mxg]

Do you have an approximation of the wording required for them ie the customer to include it in their PAT testing cycle. Please

i prefer round wheels to re-invented square ones!

Mick

[Fox]

When you carry out your site risk assessment you should have a question about equipment storage, ventilation and safety.  One of these questions should say something like

Does the client carry out PAT testing? YES/NO

Contractors equipment to be included in clients audit of PAT testing? YES/NO

The client is required to sign the risk assessment therefore agreeing to PAT test equipment.  Please note we only ask the client to include equipment stored and used on their site only, so any rotary machines etc that are brought to site say monthly will be excluded and you will need to get them done.

Fox

[DP]

Johnson
You are getting seriously ripped off at £60, I do my own pat testing and it takes just moments to do. However one of the cheapest ways to get your tests done, is to walk into any small plant hire shop (not the HSS type), they have to test before each hire anyway and is therefore subsequent to their main industry.

Mine charges £2.75 for small items and £5 for large ones. Their happy as its a charge they wouldn’t normally get and for very little work.