The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition.
The frequency of inspection and testing depends upon the type of equipment and the environment it is used in. For example, a power tool used on a construction site should be examined more frequently than a lamp in a hotel bedroom.
It is strongly recommended that equipment suppliers formally inspect and test the equipment before each hire, in order to ensure it is safe to use. The person hiring the equipment should also take appropriate steps to ensure it remains safe to use throughout the hire period
Any portable appliance in a working area, from a printer to a kettle, to a microwave to even a vacuum cleaner, should have periodic portable appliance testing, especially via a qualified and certified PAT Testing engineer. A PAT Testing engineer will know exactly what to look for and where to look for it, from plugs and outlets to the casings around any portable appliances.