I know this has been well discussed previously but could someone please post a link directing me to a table of frequency of testing, mainly for construction tools and equipment.

Chris, My guess for first port of call would be the manufacturer, they will give you the specs of any testing callibration, and schedules.

Is portable appliance testing a requirement or a recommendation?

I asked the question Chris because until recently I had believed it was a requirement and not a recommendation but I now understand it is a recommendation. I need to go away and do my own reading but I thought I would throw the question in here since the topic was raised.

I knew it would happen - here we go again :-)

Why don't we blow PAT out and go out with PAM instead? She's much more sensible! PAM = Portable Appliance Maintenance. This could then incorporate pre use checks, formal visual inspections and testing, where necessary.

Try HSG107. Thats another guidance that talks about frequencies of combined inspections and tests. Regards, JayJay

This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating good practice. How much clearer can it be?

It could be a lot clearer and state all electrical equipment must be pat tested every 3 months but at the end of the day, surely it all depends on the environment in which it is being used. You wouldn't expect a builders angle grinder used every few days on a site to need pat testing as often as one being used day in day out in an oil refinery, would you? And sorry for calling you Shirley...

Well, speaking as an insurance company surveyor (specialist liability insurer) I often tell clients they can reduce their inspection frequency on low risk items to bring it in line with the HSE published guidance. It sounds to me like the surveyor was covering the material damage aspects of cover - buildings and contents belonging to the landlord. Electrical inspection conditions are included on these policies but will usually relate to the fixed installation and frequency of testing, annual, 3 yrs or 5yrs. In the event of an electrical fire they will ask for evidence of the last periodic inspection report and if it is in date, the claim will be met. They are not talking about your legal liabilities to employees and visitors so you could carry on as you are and meet your HASAW and electricity at work obligations. I would also challenge the insurers as well. It would be inequitable to impose a condition on a landlords policy that can only be met by a tenant. Would they fail to pay out on a claim (to your landlord) if you had not PAT tested the electric fan you use once in a blue moon? It sounds to me like the insurer's rep is using a little knowledge to incorrectly apply the fixed electrical inspection and test condition (that can be met by a landlord) to the activities of the tenant and their PAT arrangements.