A business owner or a landlord has a basic legal duty and responsibility to maintain standards of safety in a workplace or in rented accommodation. This needs to ensure that people are not at risk from the infrastructure of that building in terms of its services (gas, electric and water) and also that they are safe from any harm posed by the contents of the building, such as tools, equipment and machinery causing electric shocks or a fire. A major element of ensuring this is through PAT Testing.
What is PAT testing?
Portable Appliance Testing is the process used to check electrical appliances for safety, through a series of visual inspections and electrical testing. This should be carried out by a competent person, ie. someone who has the knowledge, skills and experience to safely and effectively carry out the tests, and should be done on a suitable frequency.
Any electrical item that is plugged into a power source should be included in a PAT testing programme. This will include office items such as PCs, laptops and photocopiers, as well as more heavy duty tools and equipment such as drills, grinders and sanders. It will even include communal kitchen equipment in a workplace or rented accommodation, such as kettles, fridges, microwaves and freezers.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement?
The Electricity At Work Regulations (1989) determine that you are responsible for making sure that all electrical equipment is safe to use. So you need to regularly inspect, test and maintain this equipment to make sure it is safe and you are compliant with the legislation. The recommended way to do this is through a PAT testing programme.
What does PAT testing involve?
The process of PAT testing should involve the following:
- Inventory – You need to create a list of all your electrical items and work out a schedule for testing. This should include the type of equipment, its location, a description and a unique reference number. As well as making a list of these items, you should also identify them with a visual sticker. This list can become a useful asset list for other purposes.
- Risk assessment – Consider every item in terms of how often it is used, what environment it is used in, who uses it and what lifespan it has in terms of durability etc. This will determine how frequently you need to test an item for safety. Many people settle on once per year, but some items in more hostile environments may need testing more frequently.
- Visual inspection – When PAT testing for an item is due, each item needs to undergo a quick visual inspection whereby you are checking for signs of damage to the wiring, lead, casing or any visual element of the item.
- Electrical tests – Using specialist PAT testing equipment, such as the TIS 700 supplied by Test Instrument Solutions, you can then carry out a series of safety tests on the item, such as earth continuity, lead polarity and insulation resistance. You can also finally confirm safe operation with a brief functional test of the item.
- Results – Each item should generate a pass/fail result, which you can record as data and you should also indicate this on the item itself with a visual sticker. This should be signed and dated by the competent person and should also indicate when the next test is due. This shows if an item is overdue a PAT test, in which case it shouldn’t be used.
- Remedial action – Any items which have failed a PAT test should be identified as such and should be isolated from possible use. Remedial action should be determined and actioned ASAP so the item can be repaired and used again, or discarded and replaced.
Video Demonstration
TIS offer a quality range of pat testing equipment. Below is a look at the TIS 700 Safety PAT product:
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.