PAT Testing and Electrical Equipment
Electrical Safety Testing
Using electricity is a familiar and necessary part of everyday life, but if wiring is unsafe, the consequences can be fatal. According to the Health & Safety Executive, electrical appliances account for 25% of all reportable electrical accidents, which is why Electrical Safety Testing should form an essential part of your health and safety plan.
The benefits of Electrical Safety Testing for your business include:
Protecting your employees and fulfilling your health and safety duties to keep them safe
Providing peace of mind for business owners and employees that equipment is in a safe working condition
Compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 – if you have equipment with the potential to cause injury
Electrical Testing and Inspection
The frequency of electrical testing and inspection will greatly depend on the type of industry and electrical appliances being used, the risk and the environment in which they are used. As a general rule testing might need to be performed from every 3 months to 6 years.
As well as routine checks, electrical tests can also be carried out for quality assurance on electrical components, diagnostic testing, and fault finding on electrical equipment.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) for Your Business
When carrying out a PAT Test, we will:
1. Undertake a visual check, looking for loose screws, frayed wires or anything that looks out of the ordinary.
2. Use market-leading PAT Testing technology for further and more detailed results.
3. Apply a 'passed safety check' sticker upon completion with a date for your records.
Once all of your portable appliances have been inspected, tested and certified, you can continue your day-to-day business knowing your electrical equipment is safe.
Most industries, from offices through to construction sites, use a variety of electrical equipment to assist with daily activities and they must be fit for use. Whilst there is not a legal requirement to undertake PAT testing, it does enable businesses to show compliance around electrical safety and duty of care to their employees.
How often you should PAT test will depend on the electrical equipment and your business usage of it. Equipment that falls under the Electricity at Work Regulations because they have the potential to cause harm are likely to warrant more regular testing than office computer equipment. Our team can advise on this according to the individual business’ needs.
Maintenance is another key element in keeping your electrical equipment safe and in working order. You can find more information in this HSE leaflet on Maintaining portable electrical equipment.
How Sureteam can help
We work closely with our NICEIC approved contractor RPB Electrical who has over 7 years of trade experience in domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Outsourcing your Electrical Safety process to a competent team of Health and Safety consultants will not only ensure you’re looking after your business assets and employees but will give peace of mind that the work is carried out by those who are skilled and experienced, whilst saving you valuable time.
Give us a call on 01666 503686 for a no-obligation chat with a member of our team or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you.
Give us a call
Our team are on hand for any advice you need. To discuss your health and safety needs just call 01666 503686. With Sureteam, you have got it covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main legislation relating to electrical testing activities is the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Regulation 4(3) requires that work on or near to an electrical system ‘shall be carried out in such a manner as not to give rise, so far as is reasonably practicable, to danger’.
Electrical equipment should be visually checked to spot early signs of damage or deterioration.
However, a competent person should test more thoroughly and often at recommended time intervals such that there can be little change in the equipment and does not result in it becoming dangerous between tests.
The frequency depends on the type work being carried out and the appliances being used.
There is no legal requirement to PAT test or keep records of tests or labelling equipment. However it can be useful to do so anyway for monitoring and reviewing purposes.
In many low-risk environments, a competent member of staff can undertake visual inspections if they have enough knowledge and training. However, we would recommend that a professional carry out the test with the appropriate equipment and ability to understand the test results to make qualified recommendations.
More Resources
Seeking further advice and support, why not take a look at our Resources section with toolbox talks, HSE publications and useful links or read our latest blog post for advice from our team
