New HSE PAT guidance

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently launched revised guidance on maintaining portable appliances in low risk environments. The revised advice has been made in response to the earlier Löfstedt report published on health and safety legislation which said that the legal requirements concerning the maintenance of electrical appliances was applied ‘too widely and disproportionately’.

There are no fundamental changes in the new guidance other than an extension of some of the periods between tests. In its updated announcement the HSE is advising against testing too often, explaining that, for some businesses, there may be little need to test all their equipment every year – but testing at various intervals is still advisable, depending on the type of equipment.

The latest HSE announcement makes another important contribution to maintaining electrical safety in the workplace, but it should also continue to be viewed alongside all the other advice, guidance and pertinent information available on this matter

For more clarification on the latest HSE announcement view the Revised PAT Guidance From HSE article.