I wonder how many people were killed or injured by portable electrical appliances before PAT testing became a required thing, and I wonder how the figures compare afterwards.
I also wonder how the people who are (perhaps!) protected at work by all this testing get on when they go home, and, horror of horrors are exposed to the dangers of their own kettles, hairdryers, and toasters.
I think that is a very good point. In days gone by we looked after our own safety, and did not rely on a label to say safe to use. I had a discussion about grinders, two issues, one if it is electrical safe, but dangerous to use, should it get a green PASS sticker, since I was not authorised to fit abrasive wheels, I could not fit a new wheel guard, as the wheel needed removing to fit the guard. But the guard was not electrical, so should it be even in my remit?
The switch on the new grinders we had could be latched on, but the grinder was over 0.37 kW where it is required with loss of power it should not restart one return of power. OK with bench grinders using an active RCD makes them comply, but with hand held angle grinders, or even a simple drill often over the 0.37 kW. However "This requirement does not apply to a motor incorporated in an item of current-using equipment complying as a whole with an appropriate British Standard.", but how do you know if that is the case? My electric drill does not have any BS number on it, and remember "British Standard" not EU standard so CE marked is not good enough.
I am sure you don't need to be an electrician to work out melted cable should not be used. I remember being given a questionnaire before being allowed to work on site, it asked if you find a damaged cable on a hand tool should you.
A) Put it back and get another instead.
B) Put some insulation tape on it first.
C) Get your mate to use it instead.
D) Report it to foreman.
No where did it give the option, enter on the quarantine register, then when time permits replace the cable, then PAT test, and put back on the in service register. Being pedantic I wrote non of the above, and I was asked what I would do, to which I answered enter in to quarantine register and put in quarantine, at which he asked are you the electrician.
I think before we had the regulations we were more careful, we now have that attitude it must be safe or we would not be allowed to do it. Sticking a PASS sticker on a grinder with a broken wheel even if electrical safe to me is wrong.
