Page 4 of 8 5.5 Guidance for a maintenance system is detailed in Appendix 1 with suggested initial intervals between both visual inspections and combined inspection and tests. Competent persons may use the intervals as a starting point, but every situation must be considered in relation to the type of equipment, its use and its environment. (The suggested frequencies for inspection and testing given in Appendix 1 are recommendations and are not legal requirements). 6. CHECKING AND MAINTAINING OF EQUIPMENT 6.1 Although good initial levels of safety can be achieved by the correct selection and use of equipment, lasting safety can only be achieved by ongoing and effective maintenance. It is important that users treat their equipment reasonably; which includes stopping the use of defective equipment and reporting them to the competent person. 6.2 Maintenance can include visual inspection, testing, repair and replacement. Maintenance will also determine whether equipment is fully serviceable or remedial action is necessary. Routine inspection and appropriate testing, where necessary, are normally part of any overall strategy for ensuring that work equipment is maintained in a safe condition (see Appendix 2). 6.3 Cost-effective maintenance of portable electrical equipment can be achieved by a combination of: Checks by the users – (including damage to the plug, damage to the cables, damage to the external casing of the equipment, evidence of overheating). Formal visual inspection by a person trained and appointed to carry them out – (including removing the plug cover and checking the fuse, checking the cord grip, checking for signs of internal damage). Combined inspection and tests – (including the correct fusing, earthing integrity, insulation integrity). 7. MAINTENANCE AND TEST RECORDS 7.1 Whilst there is no requirement under the Electricity at Work Regulations to keep maintenance logs for portable equipment, there are benefits to recording maintenance, including test results. The benefits of having a recorded system include: Use as a management tool for monitoring and reviewing the maintenance scheme. Enables managers to demonstrate maintenance does take place. Useful as an inventory of equipment and identifies the use of unauthorised equipment. 7.2 Labelling of equipment to indicate that it has been tested satisfactorily, and when the date for the next test is due is useful to prevent individual items being continually missed. 8. FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION AND COMBINED INSPECTION AND TESTING 8.1 Deciding upon the frequency of inspection and testing is a matter of judgement and should be based on an assessment of risk. In order to assist in making this decision, guidance is provided in Appendix 1.