The Health and Safety Service has published the updated Electrical Equipment Policy (HS23), supported by the revised Electrical Equipment Guidance (HSG23) and improved formal visual inspection forms. These updates strengthen the Council’s arrangements for managing electrical safety, improve clarity for managers and staff.
Key changes from the last revision
There are strengthened expectations for managers regarding staff training, user checks, cable storage, reporting faults, and ensuring equipment is visually inspected annually unless a risk assessment justifies an alternative frequency.
The F23a Formal Visual Inspection of Portable Electrical Appliances (PAT) guidance sheet now provides enhanced instruction for competent persons undertaking formal visual inspections. The F23b form continues to support school settings and it has been developed to assist employees in complying with their responsibility to ensure portable electrical appliances under their control are formally visually inspected. Information regarding suggested inspection frequencies can be found in HSG23 Electrical Equipment Guidance.
We ask that a formal visual inspection is carried out in the in between year of the PAT, so if for example your site PAT was January 2026, the formal interim visual will be due January 2027. We would not expect a form for each item; it is useful to read through it then use the full list from your PAT provider and tick each one off as a record of the check.
You can give out the F23b form to anyone working from home with electrical equipment such as laptop, monitor, and we recommend users complete the form annually.
Training
There is training on Basic Electrical Safety, for employees who work with or near electricity, even if they do not carry out inspections. The course is designed to give them a practical understanding of hazards, early warning signs, and safe working practices. The course is also for managers who oversee contractors undertaking PAT inspections or other electrical inspections. It is available on Blackboard as a downloadable PowerPoint – Headteachers are issued with log ins to this learning platform, for further support email scil@somerset.gov.uk
Why it is important for staff to complete electrical inspections
- Ensures compliance with legal duties under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
- Allows consistent recording of equipment condition and early detection of cable faults, damage and overheating risks, preventing potential fires, shocks, or equipment failures.
- Supports managers by providing accurate inspection records that can be evidenced during audits, appraisals, or incident investigations.
- Ensures hybrid and home workers confirm that equipment used outside Council premises remains safe and fit for purpose.
