You are not breaking the law if you do not have a PAT test done as PAT testing in itself is not a legal requirement.
However, you have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of your employees by maintaining your electrical appliances. Your electrical appliances must be safe and suitable for your working environment.
In order to meet these legal regulations, PAT testing has become the most effective way of achieving this. This is because PAT testing classifies if each electrical appliance is safe to use by issuing stickers on each appliance and giving you a certificate at the end.
All companies must conform to:
– Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974
– Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989
– Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulations of 1998
– the Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations of 1999
failing to conform to these regulations can lead to consequences like hefty fines of up to £20,000 or imprisonment of up to 2 years.
So, it is important to conform to pat testing regulations as you want to ensure your working environment is safe which will help avoid any future fatal accidents.
If you have any further questions about PAT Testing, please get in touch with the PAT Testing Association by calling 0207 1188 445 or dropping us an email at cs@pattestingassociation.co.uk