Workplace Electrical Safety and PAT Testing Compliance

Electrical Safety in Brief

Fixed installation inspected at intervals set by IET Wiring Regulations
Portable Appliance Testing on a risk-based schedule
Competent person work under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Electrical Safety at Work

Electricity is one of the most common causes of workplace fires and can cause serious and fatal injuries from electric shock and burns. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place a duty on employers to ensure that electrical systems are constructed and maintained so as to prevent danger. This applies to all electrical systems in the workplace - fixed installations, portable equipment, temporary installations and extension leads.

Managing electrical safety in the workplace involves two distinct areas: the fixed electrical installation - the wiring, distribution boards, sockets and fixed equipment that form the permanent electrical infrastructure of the building - and portable electrical equipment, which includes anything with a plug or that runs from the mains supply.

Fixed Electrical Installation

The fixed wiring and electrical installation in a building should be inspected and tested periodically by a competent electrician. The result of this inspection is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which records the condition of the installation, identifies any defects or items requiring attention, and recommends a date for the next inspection.

For most commercial premises the recommended inspection frequency is every five years, though higher-risk environments may require more frequent inspection. Where an EICR identifies defects classified as C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous), remedial work should be carried out promptly. A C3 classification indicates improvement recommended but the installation is not immediately dangerous.

If you are a tenant, the EICR for the building's fixed installation is typically the landlord's responsibility. Ask for a copy when you move in and check when the next inspection is due.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

In-service inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances - commonly known as PAT testing - is required under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 where necessary to demonstrate that equipment is being maintained safely. There is no legal requirement for annual PAT testing of all equipment - the requirement is to maintain electrical equipment so as to prevent danger, and the appropriate approach depends on the type of equipment, the environment it is used in and how frequently it is used.

For a low-risk environment such as an office, a formal visual check of equipment combined with less frequent PAT testing is generally sufficient. For higher-risk environments - construction sites, manufacturing, equipment used outdoors - more frequent testing is appropriate. The HSE publishes guidance on recommended testing frequencies by equipment type and environment.

Equipment that fails a PAT test or is visually found to be damaged - frayed cables, cracked plugs, damaged casings - should be taken out of service immediately and not used until repaired or replaced.

A register of all portable electrical equipment, recording the results of inspections and tests and the date of the next check, is the standard way to manage this. Without a register it is difficult to demonstrate that all equipment has been checked or to identify what is coming up for renewal.

Safe Use of Electrical Equipment

Beyond formal inspection and testing, day-to-day safe use matters. Extension leads should not be overloaded, equipment should not be used with damaged cables, and sockets should not be daisy-chained. Equipment should be switched off and unplugged when not in use where practicable. Any worker who notices damaged electrical equipment should report it rather than continuing to use it.

Most electrical incidents in the workplace are preventable. The common causes are overloaded sockets, damaged cables that have not been reported or replaced, and equipment being used in conditions it was not designed for - a domestic-rated extension lead on a construction site, for example. A quick visual check of electrical equipment as part of routine premises inspection picks up the majority of obvious issues. The formal PAT test is important but it is not a substitute for people being alert to damage in the meantime.

When I audit against equipment management requirements, I look for evidence that portable electrical equipment is being managed - a register, evidence of testing or inspection, and a process for reporting and dealing with defects. I also check when the last EICR was carried out on the fixed installation. What I am not looking for is a PAT test label on every kettle. I want to see that the organisation has thought about what needs testing, at what frequency and why, and that it is being done consistently.

Practical Compliance Guidance

Managing electrical safety can be achieved through the use of a premises checklist - this can be completed monthly to ensure that any wiring around your business is kept in a dafe condition. This way, damage can also be identified and reported.

A risk assessment can also be carried out which identifies the risk of any fixed installations around you premises, as well as controls that have been applied.

To ensure that staff are safe and knowledgable when working around or near electricity, you can also issue them with an electrical safety policy-procedure.

Section 3.2 of the IMS1 Manual covers equipment management and the electrical safety arrangements can be referenced there. The documents below support a compliant approach.

The alphaZ document suite includes an electrical safety policy procedure, guidance document and toolbox talk to support awareness and compliance.

alphaZ document	How to use it
ISO 9001/14001/45001 Management System Toolkit	The complete toolkit for implementing an ISO-compliant integrated management system. Includes the IMS1 manual, all policies, procedures, registers and audit checklists.
PP-7-13 Electrical Safety Policy Procedure	Documents the organisation's arrangements for electrical safety - covering fixed installation inspection, portable appliance testing, defect reporting and responsibilities.
GG-7-13 Electrical Safety Guidance	Guidance document on electrical safety requirements in the workplace. Useful reference for setting up or reviewing electrical safety arrangements.
ER4 Equipment Register	Use to log portable electrical equipment with inspection and test dates. Keeps all equipment management in one place and makes upcoming test dates visible.
F-Q34 Equipment Visual Inspection Record	Use to record visual checks of electrical equipment - condition of cables, plugs and casings. Provides a record of ongoing inspection activity between formal tests.
TT Electrical Safety Toolbox Talk	Use to brief workers on electrical safety - safe use of equipment, how to identify damage and what to do when a fault is found. Record attendance to evidence awareness training.
RA-HS118 Electricity at Work Fixed Installations	Electrical safety at work example risk assessment with risks and controls documented. Use this as an example to get started in completing a fully comprehensive risk assessment for any fixed installations such as wiring on your premises.

Note - all the above files can be downloaded with an alphaZ subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is annual PAT testing a legal requirement?

No. There is no legal requirement for annual PAT testing of all electrical equipment. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that electrical equipment is maintained so as to prevent danger - the appropriate method and frequency of inspection and testing depends on the type of equipment, how it is used and the environment it is used in. For office equipment in a low-risk environment, less frequent formal testing combined with regular visual checks is generally acceptable. The HSE guidance sets out recommended frequencies by equipment type and risk level, and these provide a sensible starting point.

How often does the fixed wiring in our premises need to be inspected?

For most commercial premises, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is recommended every five years. Some environments - swimming pools, saunas, construction sites, premises with a high risk of damage to wiring - require more frequent inspection. The previous EICR will state the recommended date for the next inspection. If you have no EICR for the premises or it is significantly out of date, arranging one should be a priority. A qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or ECA should carry out the inspection.

Who is responsible for electrical safety in a rented premises?

Responsibility is typically shared. The landlord is responsible for the fixed electrical installation in the building - the wiring, distribution boards and sockets - and should provide a current EICR on request. As the tenant, you are responsible for the portable electrical equipment your organisation uses and for ensuring it is maintained safely. You are also responsible for ensuring that any alterations or additions to the electrical installation are carried out by a competent electrician and comply with the wiring regulations.

UK Legislation

The following UK legislation is directly relevant to electrical safety in the workplace. Organisations outside the UK should identify the equivalent legislation applicable in their jurisdiction.

Further Resources