PAT testing

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  • #165956
    GillyB
    Participant
    ()

    We’ve been looking into introducing mandatory testing of residents’ own electrical appliances each year and we have a few questions.
    – do we have the right to do this?
    – do we have a responsibility to do this?
    – If we judge something as safe and it fails, do we have any liability?
    – If we judge something as not safe, do we have the authority to remove it?
    – If something needs replacing on our recommendation, do we have to pay for a replacement?

    We want to keep our residents safe but it feels like a bit of a legal minefield. Any suggestions will be welcomed!

    Many thanks, Gill

    #165962
    clerk.stjohnswilton
    Participant
    ()

    Gill

    The answers are

    No (ie only with permission, which is unlikely to be refused),

    No (ie only morally, perhaps. SAM says it is best practice),

    No (unless you have been utterly reckless in using a clearly useless PAT tester – and even then, most PAT tests are visual as, these days, most electrical items are double insulated and have no exposed earth wires),

    Yes (you can’t knowingly allow an unsafe appliance to remain in one of your properties. And your resident will, most likely, gratefully agree),

    No (it’s up to the resident to dispose of or repair/service any dangerous items. Whether they replace them is up to them.)

    BTW all you need to know is in SAM Section 7.9.3.

    Nick Stiven
    clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

    #166416
    Tim Richardson
    Participant
    (8639)

    Nick is spot on, more charities are doing this though and from personal experience I have seen an almshouse resident die from smoke inhalation after a fire was caused by her television catching fire. The charity did not PAT test resident’s own items, perhaps if it had she would still be alive.

    #166487
    GillyB
    Participant
    ()

    Thanks, both – I’ll pass this on. regards, Gill

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