Does your school have a system for an annual formal visual inspection of its portable electrical equipment between the bi-annual inspection by the competent contractor? Can evidence of a checklist be supplied?
You must have a system for formal visual inspection of your portable electrical equipment at least annually and records must be kept. The easiest way to do this is to copy the inventory from your most recent PAT test and use this as the basis for your visual inspection, marking against each item to confirm they have been visually checked. New items simply need to be added to the inventory and visually inspected. You can use the F23a form and F23b guidance.
Visual inspections
In order for the PAT testing to operate effectively, it must be linked to a regime of local visual inspections by a nominated competent person based at the school. The formal visual inspection of electrical equipment should be recorded and by using the most recent PAT test list, schools can make this the basis for their record, as in most cases items of electrical equipment are within the rooms they were located. There is no absolute regulation on the frequency of visual inspections, but the nominated person should conduct a regular inspection of equipment to minimise risks from electrical devices, considering the following factors:
- The frequency of use
- The type of equipment
- Is it handheld?
- Is it moved a lot or stationary?
- Environmental conditions heat, humidity etc.
- Its design
Record keeping
Records of the inspections carried out by the nominated competent person should be kept with the inventory, together with details of any repairs, servicing, maintenance or equipment which has been withdrawn from use.
Learn more:
Electricity Policy
HS F23a Visual Inspection – Guidance
HS F23b Visual Inspection Checklist
Portable Electrical Appliance Safety
