The huge number of failures and observations on this small number of tested industry items is a worrying result and suggests that the standards written to support the UK electrical equipment safety regulations have either been misunderstood or not followed correctly.
The issues discovered concerning the internal construction of appliances is a big concern and this is especially worrying when these issues affect the protection against electric shock. Also, some of these problems were faults that could develop into significant safety issues over time.
The huge amount of appliances that lacked information for vulnerable users especially as appliances in this category are likely to be used by children is a worrying discovery. This is especially significant when some of these products had been designed and decorated to appeal to children.
This is a big problem and is especially important as PAT testing is not always carried out in private homes where items like these are usually used.
Those in the PAT testing industry must continue to work diligently to raise awareness of electrical appliances constructed in foreign countries that could be faulty or dangerous.
Problems and issues in the electrical appliance market such as this, means that carrying out PAT testing is even more of an important task. PAT testing technicians should continue to raise awareness of the danger of unseen electrical faults in appliances and the importance of having regular PAT testing procedures carried out to ensure the safety of all users.
To see a full copy of the laboratory tests visit www.esc.org.uk.
