Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and subsequent PUWER - Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and PAT - Portable Appliance Testing were introduced due to Electrocution as the cause of death by a high number of people in their workplace each year.  The HSE - Health & Safety Executive recognised the repeated high trends and implemented further legislation and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations - PUWER came into force 1992.

"Ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair".

A Hazard:  Is anything that can cause harm if things go wrong (eg a fault on equipment).

A Risk: Is the chance (big or small) of harm actually being done when things go wrong (eg risk of electric shock from faulty equipment).

Control The Risk: Nearly a quarter of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances.  The majority of accidents result in electric shock, others result in fires, eg nearly 2000 fires in 1991 were caused by faulty leads to appliances. A major cause of such accidents is the failure to maintain equipment.

Portable and transportable - the supply to the equipment being at a voltage which can potentially result in a risk of fatal electric shock to any person.  When the volatge is more than 50V ac or 120V dc.

Fuse rating, the fuse fitted is the correct level for the appliance in use.

Polarity, ensures the live and neutral terminals are not crossed and are wired correctly.

Cable and cores are checked to ensure effective termination.

Checking of the suitability of the equipment for its environment.