All about PAT Testing in Malta

Section 6(i) of the Maltese Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act, Cap 424 states that

It shall be the duty of an employer to ensure the health and safety at all times of all persons who may be affected by the work being carried out for such employer.

The Act continues to emphasise that

The measures that need to be taken by an employer to prevent physical and psychological occupational ill-health, injury or death, shall be taken on the basis of the following general principles of prevention, that is by -

1. the avoidance of risk
2. the identification of hazards associated with work;
3. the evaluation of those risks which cannot be avoided;
4. the control at source of those risks which cannot be avoided;
5. the taking of all the necessary measures to reduce risk as much as reasonably practicable, including the replacement of the hazardous by the non-hazardous or by the less hazardous;
6. giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures;
7. adapting the work to the worker, particularly in so far as the design of work places, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and production methods are concerned, in particular with a view to alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work-rate, and to reducing their effect on health;
8. by adapting to technical progress in the interest of occupational health and safety; and
9. by the development of a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, the organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors related to the working environment.

In safety testing, the bottom line is human life. In many countries, like Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland, it has become a legal requirement to perform PAT Testing, on electrical and electronic equipment. Although in Malta it is not yet a legal requirement, it is beginning to form part of an organization's maintenance plan, allowing the maintenance personnel to see which products fail and helping make decisions on replacement or repair. It is also useful in any legal disputes arising from accidents.

What is PAT Testing?

PAT Testing is generally in-service testing and inspection of electrical equipment . All equipment is examined to determine if it is safe to use. Testing takes care of electrical defects that are not noticeable by physical examination. However, physical examination is also important since it detects a high percentage of electrical defects.

With a well documented testing system, an organization can prove that it did everything in its power to provide safe, usable equipment for its staff and visitors. There are a number of benefits associated with testing your electrical equipment against faults and damages. Some of the key benefits are:

• Improved safety in the work place
• Improved safety for the general public
• Reduce the risk of fire
• Decrease in Liability
• Keep track of your assets
• Enhance preventative maintenance
• Increase productivity through safe and reliable equipment
• Reduce legal risks for managers
• Fast, automatic printing of appliance test labels direct from test instrument

What is happening in practice?

In Malta, there is still no specific legal requirement for PAT Testing. However, our electrical system is in accordance with the British Standard, so most probably it will only be a while before these laws are implemented also in Malta. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation's S.I NO.299 of 2007 it is now a requirement under Irish law that all businesses are obliged to carry out PAT Testing on all portable appliances to ensure the safety and welfare of both employees and customers. The onus to carry out PAT Testing now falls entirely at the feet of the employer who is 100% responsible.

In order to comply with regulations, records must be kept for at least five years for random spot checks carried out by the HSA. Irish Insurers/Underwriters are now requesting proof that all portable appliances comply with the legislation prior to the renewal of existing or commencement of new policies.

Under these regulations,

1. An employer shall ensure that:
   1. electrical and electronic equipment is maintained in a manner fit for safe use, and
   2. portable equipment which is (i) exposed to conditions causing deterioration liable to result in danger, and (ii) supplied at a voltage exceeding 125 volts alternating current, is
      1. visually checked by the user before use, and
      2. periodically inspected by a competent person, appropriate to the nature, location and use of the equipment.
2. An employer shall ensure, where appropriate, that a competent person
   1. tests any electrical, electronic and portable equipment described in paragraph (1), and
   2. certifies whether or not the equipment (including any cables and plugs) was, on the day of test, as far as could reasonably be ascertained, safe and without risk to persons coming into direct or indirect contact with any live part of the equipment.
3. If the certificate of the competent person referred to in paragraph (2) indicates that the portable equipment tested was not, on the day of the test, safe and without risk, as described in that paragraph, the employer shall ensure that the equipment is not used until it is made safe and certified as such in compliance with paragraph (2).

When should a PAT test be carried out?

First of all a PAT test should be carried out on all electrical and electronic equipment, both fixed and portable. Once the test is carried out , the appliances being tested are marked with a sticker and a report on every appliance is issued. Such report should be filed for future reference, or for the appropriate action to be taken, whichever is the case.

The testing interval of each equipment depends on the equipment and the conditions in which it is being used.

The person carrying out the PAT test should have the appropriate equipment for testing . Moreover, the test equipment has to be used properly to make sure it gives the right results. Whilst performing the tests, plugs and earth resistance will also be checked to ensure safety. The fuses of the plugs are also checked to make sure that they are the correct size. If this is not the case, these are replaced.

So why should we implement PAT Testing?

PAT Testing, if correctly performed will reduce and eliminate the risk of electrocution and/or fire arising from electrical and electronic appliances. This is very important when one considers how much does a business stand to lose if it was affected by fire. With electrical accidents 20 times more likely to kill the victim than other types of accident, it is a MUST for businesses to implement PAT Testing.

In this age of "where there's a blame there's a claim", which is becoming the norm also in Malta, many Public Liability Insurers will be insisting on testing of appliances in the near future, and will request you to produce evidence that your PAT Testing is on-going. They will be asking for detailed and full reports of the appliances within your care and that you are showing due diligence towards electrical safety.