IOSH forums home
»
Our public forums
»
OSH discussion forum
»
Portable appliance testing of personal items
Rank: New forum user 
|
I have been asked to look into the PAT testing of personal portable chargers/Appliances, that employees bring into the workplace. my thoughts are, that a simple user check and visual inspection is enough, providing they are used correctly and not in harsh environments, or Should all personal items/chargers be added to the PAT asset register? I would appreciate any thoughts on this issue.
Many thanks
Sam
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Given that mobile phone chargers have been known to start fires I'd have them tested.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Presumably management are OK with employees using company electricity then - I'd just have said no.
The world is awash with fake/unsafe chargers. IT is commonplace to see people use chargers because the connector fits the appliance, with no thought as to voltage rating.
In many instances, the cost to the company of managing this will far exceed the £ value of the appliance.
Why take on this extra fire and injury risk (which "PAT testing" is unlikely to identify)?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
smacro wrote:I have been asked to look into the PAT testing of personal portable chargers/Appliances, that employees bring into the workplace. my thoughts are, that a simple user check and visual inspection is enough, providing they are used correctly and not in harsh environments, or Should all personal items/chargers be added to the PAT asset register? I would appreciate any thoughts on this issue.
Many thanks
Sam
just use them, of all the chargers in all the world how many houses have burned down?????
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Ron Hunter wrote:Presumably management are OK with employees using company electricity then - I'd just have said no.
The world is awash with fake/unsafe chargers. IT is commonplace to see people use chargers because the connector fits the appliance, with no thought as to voltage rating.
In many instances, the cost to the company of managing this will far exceed the £ value of the appliance.
Why take on this extra fire and injury risk (which "PAT testing" is unlikely to identify)?
Im awake nights thinking about voltage ratings
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Ron Hunter wrote:Presumably management are OK with employees using company electricity then - I'd just have said no.
The world is awash with fake/unsafe chargers. IT is commonplace to see people use chargers because the connector fits the appliance, with no thought as to voltage rating.
In many instances, the cost to the company of managing this will far exceed the £ value of the appliance.
Why take on this extra fire and injury risk (which "PAT testing" is unlikely to identify)?
In my experience it's usually the management that are the worse offenders. You can tell them not to but they'll carry straight on and do it the instant you turn your back. Better to deal with it than ignore it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
ptaylor14 wrote:Ron Hunter wrote:Presumably management are OK with employees using company electricity then - I'd just have said no.
The world is awash with fake/unsafe chargers. IT is commonplace to see people use chargers because the connector fits the appliance, with no thought as to voltage rating.
In many instances, the cost to the company of managing this will far exceed the £ value of the appliance.
Why take on this extra fire and injury risk (which "PAT testing" is unlikely to identify)?
Im awake nights thinking about voltage ratings
Clearly you don't understand the implications
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
If the chargers are owned by the company then test them when necessary (Risk assessed of course). If they are 'private' chargers then if they are to be brought onto the premises charge the owner for the tests. I suggest a charge of say £10. That should sort the problem out in a trice ;-)
Ask the insurance company for guidance. You may well find that ... well... you can work the rest out I'm sure
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
As part of our fire risk assessments, it asks how we manage personal electrical equipment.
We test for free, its inhouse anyway.
I doubt you could justify £10 per item, so many apply sticker and go comanies charge under £1 per appliance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
Of course you can justify £10 per item.
It is the monkeys that charge £1 and they are not competent.
Your charges reflect your costs, your costs reflect your overheads and your competence.
IF you have competent testers who do the testing in full accordance with the IET CoP and you keep records in accordance with this, and why should you not, as it is almost certain that your insurance company will require this, then this could easily cost £10 per item.
Again peanuts and monkeys.
Those of you paying £1 per item, think Regina Vs Octel and check what you are actually getting and compare this with the IET CoP requirements, and those of your insurance company.
I will be amazed if they match.
|
|
|
|
|
|
IOSH forums home
»
Our public forums
»
OSH discussion forum
»
Portable appliance testing of personal items
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.