How Often Do I Need My Appliances Testing?

Table Key

1. User checks are not recorded unless a fault is found.
2. The formal visual Inspection may form part of the combined inspection and tests when they coincide and must be recorded.
3. 110V earthed centre-tapped supply. 230 V portable or hand held equipment is required to be supplied viaa 30 mA RCD and Inspections and tests need to be carried out more frequently(e.g. A check of a portable RCD via its manual test button).
4. For some equipment such as childrens rides or equipment in more onerous environments, a daily check may be necessary.
5. By supervisor/teacher/member of staff.
6. Equipment provided in hotel rooms is equipment used by the public and is found under the corresponding tab. Equipment in the hotels tab is considered to be equipment in hotels used by the hotel staff.
7. Hired equipment, in use for periods in excess of more than 1 week, should be included on an equipment register and a risk assessment carried out to determine the future frequency of inspections and testing, unless the equipment is covered by a suppliers lease and maintenance contract, providing the maintenance is robust and satisfactory.

Additional Information

• It is normally not not necessary to test new items of equipment as the manufacturer has already tested it.
• Battery-operated equipment of less than 40v requires no visual or in-service inspection and testing. Note that specific guidelines for battery drills etc, used in mines, are not within the scope of this code of practice.
• The information on suggested initial frequencies given above is more detailed and specific than HSE guidance, but is not to be considered inconsistent with it.