"Andy Wade" wrote in message
...
Owain wrote:

There is no *requirement* for PATing full stop under H&SAWA (AFAIK)

It's in the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989:

4(2) As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be
maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such
danger.

Nothing in that paragraph says you have to do PATs to achieve compliance. A
PAT is one way to demonstrate that you have taken steps to comply with the
regulation, but it is not the only way and it is not even applicable to some
equipment covered by that regulation.

Colin Bignell

nightjar nightjar@ wrote:

Nothing in that paragraph says you have to do PATs to achieve compliance. A
PAT is one way to demonstrate that you have taken steps to comply with the
regulation, but it is not the only way and it is not even applicable to some
equipment covered by that regulation.

Fair comment, but what other method(s) do you think would satisfy the
HSE, in the context of small appliances? I take it as read that "PAT
testing" is interpreted as set out in the IEE code of practice - i.e.
with as much, in fact more, emphasis on the inspection as on the testing.

Are any other options set out in the HSE's Memorandum of guidance on the
EAWR (a publication I'll admit to not being very familiar with)?

--
Andy

"Andy Wade" wrote in message
...
nightjar nightjar@ wrote:

Nothing in that paragraph says you have to do PATs to achieve compliance.
A PAT is one way to demonstrate that you have taken steps to comply with
the regulation, but it is not the only way and it is not even applicable
to some equipment covered by that regulation.

Fair comment, but what other method(s) do you think would satisfy the HSE,
in the context of small appliances?

Over the decades, I have never come across a factory inspector who took the
least interest in portable appliances. They occasionally show an interest in
the wiring of 3-phase machinery, but have always been happy with a look at
the risk assessment file and the information that I worked in the
Engineering Department of an Electricity Board and take personal
responsibility for regular inspections. Things might be different if they
saw anything untoward with any wiring though and the situation might change
as the book learning inspectors replace the hands-on ones.

....
Are any other options set out in the HSE's Memorandum of guidance on the
EAWR (a publication I'll admit to not being very familiar with)?

Long time since I opened that.

Colin Bignell