Trades
Why do Portable Appliance Testing / PAT Testing?
A PAT test is a routine inspection of some types of electrical appliances to check they are safe to use. Its purpose is to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace and public areas.
Portable appliance testing (PAT test) requires visual inspection, various electrical tests with a portable appliance tester / PAT test equipment, and tagging.
Not only does Coombs Electrical Services provide this service, but we will supply an up to date equipment list that you can use to help prove that you’re doing as much as you can to keep people safe. This helps you track your own equipment, and you can use it to see what your equipment life spans are like.
Construction and demolition sites
The Department of Labour inspectors will check to see tools and leads are within the current testing time frame, which is usually every three months, and that they meet the appropriate standards. For example, multi boxes need to be compliant to AS/NZ3012.
Construction testing uses coloured tags to help you comply with all company rules:
RED December-February
Green March -May
Blue June -August
Yellow September -November
PAT testing law requires that all employers and self-employed make sure that their portable electrical appliances are safe and are suitable and used for the purposes intended. These appliances should always be maintained properly and remain in good working order.
Appliances used in all New Zealand businesses are required by OSH and electrical regulations to be tested according to the AS/NZS 3012standard.
This requires a visual inspection, various electrical tests with a portable appliance tester or PAT test equipment and tagging with a durable tag stating the testing company’s name and the date tested.
There is currently no strict legal requirement for PAT testing. The Government however has put regulations into place that pertain to the maintenance of electrical appliances and the most effective way to ensure that these regulations are met is through PAT testing. ... The Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989.
What are the consequences if electrical inspection and testing procedures are ignored?
Electrical testing is so cheap and fast that there is no excuse not to safeguard your staff by testing your equipment regularly. Failure to ensure the safety of electrical equipment may result in the death or injury to yourself, employees and customers and potential fire.
Equipment that requires testing
Professional testing using a portable appliance tester (PAT) should be carried out on a range of equipment including:
computer equipment
power tools
electrical appliances
extension leads
multi boxes
RCD’s
Battery chargers (if used on site )
Mains drills
Main saws
Tv
Kettles
Vacuums
Please note that if equipment doesn’t have internal switching activated during testing then a 500-volt insulation test is the acceptable alternative test used.
As of April 4 th 2016, the Health and Safety at Work Act has changed. Is your workplace compliant? The Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to protect workers and other people by eliminating or minimising risks at work. Using a Portable Appliance Tester is an easy way to ensure your tools, leads and appliances are tested for electrical integrity and are compliant.
Legal consequences depend on your industry and work environment. If there is an accident or fire, there are plenty of organisations that will be checking employers have taken the appropriate actions to provide a safe working environment. You may also wish to check the requirements of your insurance policy.
Coombs Electrical want to help keep you compliant with the new Health and Safety at Work Act .Testing with a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) is recommended for workshops , offices and retail and places where public can use.
Coombs Electrical tester are qualified electricians so they can repair equipment when we test if equipment fails saving you money and equipment
Some questions to ask your self
Do I know what equipment I have?
Do I know what state it in?
Do I have any way of keeping track of my gear?
Is my testing done by electrician?
How often do I have to do this?
How much does it cost?
Is the cost worth the risk?
Can I prove that I doing as much as I can to keep my staff and public safe?