Coming into contact with live electricity is a very serious hazard which could result in a fatality.  The Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978 places a legal duty on employers to provide safe and properly maintained work equipment. Regulation 5 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states;

(1) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.

(2) Every employer shall ensure that where any machinery has a maintenance log, the log is kept up to date.

The two parts of Regulation 5 outline the general requirements for keeping work equipment and machinery in a condition which does not pose a risk to employees’ safety. It highlights the employer’s duty to ensure that maintenance logs are kept up to date. Regulation 5 focuses on three terms; equipment must be kept in; an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.  In order to meet the Regulations requirements employers must show that they comply with all three.

In order to ensure that portable appliances are fit for purpose and are safe to use Portable Appliance Testing is essential. City and Guilds 2377-77 PAT course provides the qualification.