Legislation - Safeco - Your PAT Experts

Legal Requirements for PAT Testing

Regulations & Legal Requirements for Electrical Safety

Understand Relevant Regulations

Learn and comply with laws ensuring electrical safety and workplace compliance.

Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

Identify potential hazards to employees and mitigate risks effectively.

Maintain and Test Equipment

Perform routine testing to ensure appliances are safe and in good condition.

Regulation and Legal Requirements

Essential Electrical Safety Standards for Compliance

Key Legislation Governing Electrical Safety

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Employer Responsibilities Under Key Regulations

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974:
Ensures the duty of care for all persons in the workplace.
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states:
Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of: (a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work, and (b) the risks to ensure the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states:-
Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
The PUWER 1998 covers most risks that can result from using work equipment. With respect to risks from electricity, compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is likely to achieve compliance with the PUWER 1998. PUWER 1998 only applies to work equipment used by workers at work. This includes all work equipment (fixed, transportable or portable) connected to a source of electrical energy. PUWER does not apply to fixed installations in a building. The electrical safety of these installations is dealt with only by the Electricity at Work Regulations.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:
As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.” “‘System’ means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment” “‘Electrical Equipment’ includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy.