Electrical Appliance Testing - FAQs

PAT Testing has never been a legal requirement but it is one of the best ways to ensure compliance with:

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

New equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and not require a formal inspection or test. However a simple visual check is recommended to verify the item is not damaged on receipt.

Yes that is correct. Many of these adaptors do not comply with British Standards and so to avoid any problems they are not allowed.

This is the practice of plugging one extension lead into another to gain more sockets or increase the length of the lead. It is not allowed because it will overload the socket.

If you plug items that need high power into extension leads they will overheat and run the risk of catching fire.

Everything in the department needs testing. Please remember you should not bring your own electrical items into work unless they are phone or laptop chargers.

You should turn it off if you can and immediately report it to your line manager.

Yes, on the Safety Hub there is a document called Electricity-Guidance for Working Safely with Electricity in the University of Cambridge.