Posted By Booney Good Afternoon All, I realise the answer to the question is rhetorical but I just wanted to get other peoples opinions and angles of how they approach the following situation? We have a site with three buildings with a canteen facility in the main building that is ran by an outside contractor who provides good food, but it’s not particularly cheap. We feel this facility satisfies the requirements of the Welfare Regs but of course, employees have the option as to whether or not they use the canteen but, most do not and that's their choice. What we have found is that employees have started to bring in their own microwaves which the company has, so far, turned a bit of a blind eye to however, this is starting to escalate as we have now found kettles and toasters in the workplace and of course, we have had radios for a while too, all of which need to be safe to use - i.e. PAT tested. We don’t want to appear draconian by banning all electrical equipment (unless it is supplied by the company) but obviously, we have a duty to ensure that it is safe to use and PAT testing is an oncost to the company so where do we draw the line? Do we allow employees to bring in their own equipment which the company will then become responsible for or, do we ban the lot to keep control? Or is there a happy medium? Has anyone else been in this situation? Kind Regards Booney

Posted By Glyn Atkinson PAT test everything brought in, throw out any not fit for use. If you want to totally control the situation, buy the microwaves , kettles etc and control use under welfare requirements set down in your company procedures. PAT tests cost less than injury claims from any faulty equipment !

Posted By Booney Whoa! I think I should point out that the PAT tests are taking place but what we are finding is that there is equipment appearing that we are unaware of and we want to get a hold of the situation. Employees have been instructed that they are not to bring equipment in unless it has been tested (by us) but we are still finding stuff and I wondered if there was anyone out there who has been in a similar situation?

Posted By Gff We had to draw the line when the gas cookers started comming in. The hob types requre rigid pipe work and the big square holes in the desk meant they had to be replace when the employees left which cost a fortune.

Posted By Brett Day "We have a site with three buildings with a canteen facility in the main building that is ran by an outside contractor who provides good food, but it’s not particularly cheap. We feel this facility satisfies the requirements of the Welfare Regs but of course, employees have the option as to whether or not they use the canteen but, most do not and that's their choice." Is it worth consulting with the workforce, if the food supplied is not particularly cheap and most do not use the canteen, would it be better getting rid of the catering contractor and giving the canteen over to an area with kettles and microwaves that employees can use to heat own food with. Likewise, I agree with another poster, cutting plugs of appliances isn't the most polite of approaches but it is effective and works quickly, however, You really should warn employees first as without this 'notice' it can generate a lot of ill will.

Posted By Andrew Joule Land Any Personal equipment / tools etc. brought for use on your premises should be checked fit for purpose. Pat testing is only one part of the requirement. It should be dealt with in your procedures. (Your insurance company may have something to say about this). Microwave ovens should also have checks for leak of emissions from the doors, casing etc. Instructions for the use of the equipment may need to be posted if the equipment is for general use. The same problems are faced by charity organisations who accept electrical goods. these have to be suitably tested by a competent person . One of the reasons that they don't usually accept them.