Inspection & Testing Electrical Equipment / PAT
? Inspection and testing of electrical equipment is an important duty in any environment where people work or visit. The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and self-employed persons to comply with the provisions of the regulations and take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that no danger results from using electrical equipment. This requires the implementation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing. The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an obligation in the following circumstances;
1. Where appliances are used by employees.
2. Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc. 
3. Where appliances are supplied or hired.
4. Where appliances are repaired or serviced
The IET publish a Code of Practice which forms the guidance of ITEE.
It is therefore imperative that you have a regular and recordable ITEE routine whether you do it yourself or use a reputable Electrical Contractor, to ensure you comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations or indeed the Health and Safety at Work Act.
CPJ_Electrics can provide a small scale ITEE schedule service to you . Our customers include landlords, musicians, craft stall sellers & university students. We do offer a workshop service where you drop the items off and collect the next day for upto 10 items.
Who is responsible for ITEE testing?
Regulation 3 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:
“It shall be the duty of every employer and self employed person to comply with the provisions of the Regulations in as far as they relate to matters which are within his control.
It shall be the duty of every employee while at work:
(a) to co-operate with his employer so far as is necessary to enable and duty placed on that employer by the provision of the Regulations to be complied with:
and
(b) comply with the provision of these regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control.”
The buck stops at the employer, but it is the responsibility of everyone at work to ensure the electrical safety of equipment. If it is found to be unsafe it is every employee’s responsibility to inform the relevant personnel within the organisation.
Updated information from HSE
The health and safety council has issues guidance for ITEE testing in low risk areas. Please see http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm for further details