Seaward recently reported that the emphasis on a risk based approach to workplace electrical safety testing will cause changes in the PAT testing sector.
So what do these changes actually mean for the rest of us?
The Associate Director of Seaward, Jim Wallace said;
“There is no doubt that the latest guidance on portable appliance testing will require a new approach to be taken by those involved in the industry”
He goes on to say that electrical equipment testing needs to be more focused and assess the safety risks for each item. However, this means that the old way of charging per test will need to become a more thorough service of professional advisory, testing and record keeping provision.
The new fourth edition of the IET Code of Practice reiterates this change stating that it is important to take a ‘proportionate response’ when making sure electrical appliances are safe for use and a more structured approach including risk assessments needs to be integrated into procedure when deciding when testing is next due.
The Lofstedt report brought the concern that testing was being done too frequently and unnecessarily to the main attention of many in the industry and HSE subsequently revised its guidance on the maintaining of portable appliances in low risk environments.
Those in the PAT testing industry have been reported to be either worried about the changes or firm in the belief that it won’t change a thing.
Jim Wallace has said that the evidence that PAT testing saves lives, avoids fires and prevents injuries still remains the same and indisputable. However, there have been situations where testing has been carried out too often and the risk assessment approach is only being brought in to prevent the cases where this has happened.
He also says that the changes are an opportunity and once they have a good understanding of the new requirements, PAT companies can carry on succeeding in the industry.
Written by Sara Thomson
