A Portable Appliance is defined as any electrical appliance that is plugged into a mains supply and either uses, stores, or transmits electricity. Of course every business has a wide variety of appliances in use every day, including computers, printers, heaters, fax machines and kettles. Many are essential to the smooth running of your business, but it is easy to overlook the potential risk of fire or injury that a badly maintained electrical appliance introduces into the workplace.

In accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) and British Standard Regulations all appliances need to comply with Portable Appliance Inspections and Tests (PAT). These regulations describe a series of tests that must be conducted in a specific order. If the correct sequence is not followed then dangers could arise and the tester or appliance could be damaged.

Fortunately, modern Portable Appliance Test equipment operates a pre-set automatic sequence and if an appliance fails, the sequence is brought to a halt and the reason recorded.

All appliances must comply with the following standards:

• Hand Held Appliance BS2769
• Information Technology Equipment BS7002
• Industrial Equipment BS5415

MacDonald Martin can manage and co-ordinate a full PAT testing regime, including full visual inspections of plugs, sockets and flexes. Our technicians also check the use of the appliances, the operating environment and confirm the appliance's suitability for the job.

We will provide properly organised and maintained records of all testing to demonstrate that you are closely monitoring all your electrical equipment and complying with the relevant government regulations. In the unlikely event of a prosecution, these records provide vital evidence that you have acted responsibly to provide a safe workplace for your employees.

Our testers will visit your premises and test all appliances in-situ with minimal disruption to your employees or your daily business.

All appliances tested will be labelled appropriately, with the following:

• A unique Identification Number
• PASS/FAIL status
• Test/Expiry dates
• The Test Engineer's signature.

All appliance test information is recorded and stored for future reference. Contact MacDonald Martin to establish your PAT testing requirements.

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