Maintaining portable electrical equipment

Do you have control over or use portable electrical equipment in the workplace?

This guidance is for managers, electricians, technicians and users and gives sensible advice on maintaining portable electrical equipment to prevent danger. It covers equipment that is connected to the fixed mains supply or a locally generated supply.

It outlines a recommended maintenance plan based on a straightforward, inexpensive system of user checks, formal visual inspection and testing.

For low-risk environments please refer to Maintaining portable electric equipment in low risk environments in the first instance.

This guidance has been updated to clarify what the legal requirement for maintenance of portable electrical equipment means in practice.  The table of suggested frequencies has been updated and now includes clearer information for all types of business including construction.