According to Section 14 of the Industrial Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV), employers must ensure that the results of equipment inspections are properly documented. A test report can be used to prove, in the event of damage, that the device, system, or machine was inspected according to regulations.

However, caution is advised: Not every test report is legally secure!

It is important that the documentation is meaningful and enables clear identification of the test device and test result.

According to the BetrSichV, a test report should contain the following minimum information:

• Type of test
• Scope of testing
• Result of the test

This information is very general and leaves considerable room for interpretation. The Technical Rule for Operational Safety 1201 (TRBS) "Tests of Work Equipment and Systems Requiring Monitoring" specifies the BetrSichV and requires further information:

• Date of the exam
• Testing principles
• what was checked in detail
• Test result
• Assessment of identified deficiencies and statements on continued operation
• Name of the examiner

The German Employer's Liability Insurance Association (BGI) 5090 was developed specifically for the testing of portable electrical work equipment. It provides additional specifications for the test report, which are intended to ensure legal compliance.

• Identification of the equipment (type, manufacturer, inventory number or similar)
• Place of use or deployment
• test device used
• Inspection period

If there is a Damage case, a proper inspection can be carried out with a test report that contains all the above-mentioned information proveIn any case, the employer then has the presumption on his side.

The test reports should kept at least until the next inspection become.