Just weeks after a new company offering testing of portable electrical equipment was set up, MSB Valletta Ltd entered into an agreement to offer this service to its clients through the new company.

MSB Valletta chief executive officer Matthew E. Joslin, who is constantly on the lookout to improve his company’s services to clients, considers these services to be a major contribution in the area of health and safety at work in Malta.

The new company, PATCo-Malta, was officially registered on 1 May to provide Portable Electrical Testing (PAT) services. There are three partners in the firm, managing partner Stuart Rose, engineer David Dunlop and Manuel Azzopardi.

PATCo-Malta tests all types of portable appliances, from electric kettles and toasters to vacuum cleaners and small industrial machines – anything with a three-pin plug. According to Mr Rose, this testing service not only aims at protecting company employees but also business clients, enabling firms to be in full compliance with their legal obligations.

“Too many fires occur in the workplace every year that are caused by faulty portable electrical appliances,” he said. “These are fires that, with a little thought and safety practices, could be avoided.”

PATCo-Malta operates from administration offices in Qawra and uses state-of-the art, calibrated PAT machines. “This means that PATCo-Malta is in a position to assure its clients and those of MSB Valletta that any faulty appliance, even one with a fault that may not be visible to the naked eye, will be found and repaired or replaced. This greatly increases safety in the work place.”

Mr Joslin said: “The testing of portable appliances through a recognised testing procedure using cutting-edge technology is a quantum leap to reduce the fire risk in complex operations. This is precisely the new service we are proud to offer MSB Valletta clients.”