Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments

It's a myth that all portable electrical appliances in a low-risk environment, such as an office, need to have a portable appliance test (PAT) every year. The law simply requires employers to ensure electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger – it doesn't state what needs to be done or how often.

This revised leaflet explains the simple and sensible precautions that need to be taken to prevent danger from portable or movable electrical equipment in low-risk environments such as offices, shops, some parts of hotels and residential care homes. 

It also provides examples of this sort of equipment to help you to decide what you need to do to maintain portable appliances in your workplace.

The guidance includes equipment in hotels etc, previously covered in HSE leaflet INDG237 which has been withdrawn.

This guidance has been updated with a minor amendment to the table of suggested initial maintenance frequencies in relation to standalone cables.