Legislation/Guidance

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
BS7671;IEE Wiring Regulations 17^th edition
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Fixed Installation

These should be designed and installed to BS 7671
It is recommended that fixed electrical systems should be inspected & tested at least once every five years by a competent person. If any faults are detected these should be remedied as soon as possible.

Portable Appliance Testing

Portable appliances

"Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair". The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Formal visual inspections

All items of electrical equipment used in the workplace place (these may also include equipment brought in by employees) should be subject to an initial formal visual inspection.

Persons competent to do so should only carry out formal visual inspections.

Combined formal visual inspection and testing

Certain items of equipment may need to be subject to a combined formal visual inspection and testing by a competent person.

Records

It recommended that records are kept of both formal visual inspections and also combined formal visual inspection and testing.

Intervals between testing

All equipment should have an initial formal visual inspection, the intervals between further visual inspections and testing will depend on the type of equipment, the frequency of use of the equipment, the conditions it is subject to and also the environment it is used in.