Sorry, but I don't think that I've missed the point at all. Of course there is an obligation placed on me as an employer to ensue the H&S of people working for me and visitors to the office. I fully accept that and believe that I do everything necessary to meet that obligation, whether it be electrical safety or tripping hazards, which are probably the two biggest issues in an office environment.
However, there is categorically not a legal obligation to have all equipment tested every year by a qualified electrician. The Health & Safety Executive is quite clear on this, using it as their
Myth of the Month in July 2007.
That hasn't stopped a number of PAT testing companies cold calling me, and claiming that it is an absolute requirement.
The above link has a useful pamphlet to download, and we follow the advice given in that. The recommendation for computers and IT equipment is visual inspection every 2-4 year, not professional inspection annually.
It just doesn't suit some people to admit that.
The two key words are "Most" and "every year" - which is true. Which begs the question of which, and when.... and clearly in converse says some of it does - so you are missing hte point.
The actual legal framework- you have a problem - prior to 74 if you followed the code in the factories acts you were safe , regardless of how lacking in common sense you were.
so it got replaced by
(A) The general duty to do "all that is reasonably practicable" under haswa, anc clearly if you do nothing at all you are in breach of that.
(B) A requirement to conduct a risk assessment under the management regs- which in this case determines frequencies and times -
(C) To comply with specific requirements as laid down in the electricity at work act.
since 74 you have to do all that is REASONABLY PRACTICABLE and so you have a judgement you or a qualiiffied party has to make -
So how , are you supposed to do (B)? - what is the risk? how does it change with time and equipment.
That is laid down in the IEE COP which whilst not law in itself, is the standard by which you will be judged if push comes to shove, and that DEFINITELY prescribes testing - with frequencies and types laid down according to type of equipment AND lOCATION - so if you test nothing you would almost certainly be judged to be in breach of the law if ridor came into play.
If you EVER bring outsiders into the office the risk categorry increases - and area of public access higher still - so it is not just about the equipment ,or the fact of an office - it is also about who comes in contact
The COP is not law, and is only the standard by which you will be judged.... but you are a brave man, and arrogant too - if you choose to ignore the advice of experts laid down therre. What most companies do is push the insurance risk onto someone esle.
So it is true, most equipment does not need testing every year - that is not all equipment - and indeed most professional pat companies dont test everything in an office every year.....they test to the COP - which although not law, might as well be -
that then brings us back to "practicability" - depending on a number of factors, - it can be faster and therefore cheaper - and therefore certainlyu more practicable to test everything , than prat about with records to try to identify what does need testing on the basis of historic record ......it depends....
