Hello, If you work from home and you use your own or work equipment do they both have to be PAT tested? Thanks Katie

No statute law requirement for PAT. How can there be employer responsibility for employees equipment which they know nothing about and have no control over?

barnaby, Your points are valid, however, does this stretch to the home workers kettle, and other kitchen appliances? At work these would be covered by the workplace legislation. At home their kettle for example could be lethal, however, they use this for making their brew during their paid tea break and kill themselves by electrocution, would the employer be liable as they were at work, but working from home using a piece of equipment which would have been provided perhaps in the workplace, but not at home, and to make a brew at work would be acceptable. So why not at home, but is the home workers kettle relevant?...

Interesting debate. I work at home and out and about. I use PC, printer, laminator, various battery chargers, radio, kettle, toaster, grill- all my own stuff and I take my lap top with me when away. Where do I stand as I am self employed? I have a risk assessment on my lone working and my risk to people I meet. Oh by the way I have an employee - my wife. She also uses all of the above.

We had this problem when I was SO1 QS for a local gov office. As it was 'work' but home based we had to ensure that the computer was used in a safe environment i.e. Plugged into a safe electrical point. So to that effect we sent one of our electrical inspectors over to test the circuit that was to be used (along with the electrical installation of the house). It was found that the wiring of the house was, how shall I put this, DANGEROUS, YEP, THAT'S THE WORD. No earth bonding, no cpc to the socket and 50% of the wiring was reversed polarity. If follows then that working from home in this case was a non started as we had a duty of care. Last time I looked, the home is one of the most dangerous places to work. Rob

Zimmy, did you do the same thing for all those third party sites and motorway service stations where employees plug into a third party supply? Just an idle weekend thought. p48

Keep it idle Pete. Those buildings you talk about are quite separate as you well know. And Ray, don't go on about something you seem to have no idea about. Spend 15 years on electrical inspections and then talk about electrical installations. As a point of interest, when did you have your home electrical system tested? The point is Ray, we had a duty of care. What you or anyone risks at home is your business. I just hope you don't put others (children etc) at risk by ignorance. We tested three homes as it happened and not one of them passed the inspections. So please dear mods don't take my toys away! Just an Idle thought. No offence intended.

Don't worry zimmy I'm too thick skinned to be offended...and you're right, I know nowt about electrical installations, but I do know about risk management.