2020 brings us not just a New Year but a whole new decade too. New Year Resolutions are not for everyone and those of us who do try to make them, often don’t maintain them. There is one Resolution that PAT Testing Dublin can’t ever stress the importance of strongly enough and that is for commercial businesses and individuals to always ensure that all of their electrical devices that they may be responsible for around them have been tested and deemed safe to use.
The various risks or possible hazards to individuals, buildings and contents while using potentially faulty electrical devices may seem obvious but there are still many individuals and businesses who don’t always make sure that electrical equipment is safe for use. A detailed electrical assessment and testing of individual equipment by a PAT qualified person or organization goes a very long way to ensure that the people and structures around them remain safe. Many individuals and businesses don’t necessarily realise that, regardless of its size or number of employees, PAT Testing has been a legal requirement for all businesses since 2007.
This legislation was introduced within The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations and all businesses should ensure that they are consistently providing a safe and risk free working environment for staff. Added to this, in the event of electrical accidents causing any damage to individuals, structures or buildings, insurance companies can refuse monetary compensation within a working environment if a business cannot supply valid and in date PAT testing certification in the event of a claim.
In addition to an insurance company delaying or even rejecting a claim if certification cannot be provided, there is also the possibility of a business receiving Local authority fines, only making an already bad situation much worse. A wide range of insurance companies for businesses are often offering a discount on policies to businesses on their insurance premiums if they can supply documented proof that all of the correct safety checks are in place.
Many smaller businesses do not necessarily have a separate Health and Safety department which should make sure that consistent PAT Testing of electrical equipment has been undertaken but the fact remains, that this is one paramount duty which should always be taken care of by all businesses on at least an annual basis and is one resolution that PAT Testing Dublin will always fully endeavour to support!!