Electrical Safety. 

"An employer is required to carry out periodic electrical safety maintenance and keep records"

Two organisations are functional with regards to Electrical Portable Appliance Testing these are The IEEE: The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, but more importantly PAT is governed by The HSE: The Health and Safety Executive - the HSE are concerned with all infringements of safety legislation.

It is now becoming mandatory with many insurance policies to possess a current PAT register, if a reportable accident were to happen and no current PAT test had been undertaken, the policy could be deemed invalid.  Also the Health & Safety Executive would launch an investigation, you would be expected to produce the relevant documentation, so to omit yourself and company from any blame or negligence, depending on the severity of the accident, the HSE may choose to press charges. 

Several packages of PAT testing are available depending on what level of support you require.  SOS Multitech would be taking into consideration what general type of equipment you used in the workplace.  Class 1 external earthed case or Class 2, no external earthed case, double insulated. 

a) A mainly office based business with static portable equipment with such items as Computers, Printers, Fridges, Kettles, Fax Machines a test may only be required bi-annually. 

b) Tests carried out each year would be recommended for businesses with a number of employees with more medium powered equipment - this would include a number of portable appliances and for instance some heat generated items. 

c) In our third key support area most items would be portable, transportable and heavy use would be expected to be on and off site, they would be in varying temperatures.  Hand held, motorised equipment in damp, dusty, wet environments in daily/weekly use, electrical items that come into constant use with the public, customers and clients.  In these suituations an honest assessment is required but inspection and electrical tests would be suggested from every 3 months to 6 - 12 months.