There are many practical, moral, and legal reasons why you should have your portable appliances tested.

Listed below are a few of the more obvious ones:-

• Electricity can kill! Each year about 1000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive. About 15 of these are fatal.
• Faulty electrical appliances and leads are the main cause of accidental fires in commercial buildings, representing over a quarter of all such fires.
• It is your legal responsibility as an employer to provide a safe working environment.
• The majority of insurance companies now make it a stipulation of your insurance cover.

Current Legislation: (some of the Regulations that apply)

• The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 There is a duty of care on the employer and employee to ensure safe work premises.
• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Electrical equipment used in the business shall be routinely inspected and tested to ensure it is safe and functional.
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment 1998 Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and in good repair.
• The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Every employer shall make adequate assessments of the Health & Safety risks his employees are exposed to whilst at work.
  

The easiest way of proving you have taken reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the regulations is to have the equipment tested regularly by a competent person. Ensuring you receive the relevant paper work which you keep in a safe place.