Portable electrical equipment pre-use checks

By Health Safety Courses editorial team · Occupational health and safety training editors

Before you switch on

Use only equipment you are trained and authorised to use. Confirm the tool suits the job and the environment (for example voltage, indoor/outdoor rating, and any restrictions from the manufacturer or your site rules).

Visual checks only—do not open equipment

Switch off and unplug before you look at the equipment. Do not remove covers, open the casing or attempt repairs unless you are competent to do so. From the outside, look for: damaged plugs or loose pins; cut, crushed or taped cable; signs of overheating (discolouration or burn marks); cracked casings or missing screws. Do not use suspect equipment—take it out of service and report it through your employer’s process. Checking that a plug is correctly wired is not a routine user task unless you are competent to do it safely.

RCD (residual current device) protection

Where your workplace provides RCD protection, follow manufacturer instructions and employer procedures for any user test (often a “T” or test button on a socket or RCD unit). If you are unsure whether a test is required, or the device fails a test, stop using the supply and report it—do not bypass protection.

Cables and environment

Keep leads away from heat, water and vehicle routes where practicable. Use cable management where people walk. Position trailing cables to reduce trip and damage risks.

After use

Switch off, unplug by the plug (not the cable), coil leads without kinks, and store tools dry where possible. Report defects so they can be assessed by someone competent.

User checks, formal inspection and testing

Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, equipment must be maintained to prevent danger. That does not mean every workplace must run annual PAT on every item. HSE expects a risk-based programme: user checks, formal visual inspection, and combined inspection and testing where the risk assessment shows it is needed— with frequency depending on equipment type and environment (for example construction vs office). User checks complement; they do not replace formal inspection or testing where your programme requires them. This guide does not certify you to perform PAT or statutory inspection.

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