Just something I picked up on from another thread and got me thinking, does everyone get their electrical equipment PAT (Portable Appliance Test) tested every year or every other year depending on the equipment, to make sure that it is safe to use in your business?

I always did in my salons ... of course it used to irk me to have to do it (and particularly paying for it) as I felt is was 'jobs for the boys' but my guess is that hardly anyone actually complys with this on a regular basis. We'll see won't we?

I would imagine it will also depend on the likelhood of getting an inspection, so it's more salons and renters who would need to comply for H&S inspections.....

but do you think that PAT testing actually has a role in finding rougue equipment that could cause injury?

Did you ever have any of your equipment condemned?

If someone were to make a claim against you for whatever reason I assume you would have to show this as proof? Am I right?

Is this something that we have to have proof of for our insurance?

My hubby mentioned PAT testing to me the other week and it's something he's trained to do as an engineer but we thought that it would have to be done by a certified electrician.

Very interesting thread Cathie!

I have voted yes but as yet I haven't had it done as all of my electricals in the salon are under a year old and I was advised by my local council it applies to items over a year old only.

When my first item is nearly a year old in a couple of months I will arrange to have them all checked in one go. I know that the hair salon has them all checked yearly.

It's part of the Electricity at work regulation. A written copy must be kept of these tests done by a qualified electrician. They are supposed to be available to be inspected at any time by the health and safety authority.

One would assume so, although I don't know remember reading any insurance small print on it.

Yes, all items over a year as they are covered by warranty prior to that.

As far as Im aware this is compulsory, it used to be at my old employers, staff can refuse to use a piece of electrical equipment if it hasn;t been pat tested, obviously incase of injury/shock, not worth the risk IMHO

You're right, it is compulsory, not just for salons as anyone who is self-employed is also responsible to have PAT testing on their equipment.

If I'm honest, I didn't have any of my equipment PAT tested when I was renting, prior to having the salon. It's all up to date now though

Yep - we have ours done once a year - and the company we use marks everything tested with a sticker and the date it needs re-testing (one year ahead). They come out of hours so it doesnt disrupt the salon at all.