Portable Appliance Testing, or PAT is the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to make sure that they meet health and safety requirements.
Electrical irregularities can be detected by visually examining an appliance, but sometimes these particular defects can only be found by performing a test. Of course, visual examination is imperative in any safety check process, and is essential as some defects in electrical safety cannot be distinguished by testing alone.
A somewhat simple user check incorporating a brief checklist can be extremely useful within any electrical maintenance procedure, however, a further in-depth, formal visual inspection and testing by a qualified individual will be required depending on the calibre of equipment you are using.
It is insisted that you ensure your portable electrical equipment is tested every year under the Electricity at Work Regulations Act 1989. This regulation states that any electrical appliance that has the possibility to cause injury must remain in a safe state at all times. These particular regulations do not mean that inspection or testing is a legal requirement, as it doesn’t determine the rules for what you should do, by whom and how often. However, the frequency and need for the inspection and testing of your appliances will depend on what form of equipment you are using, and what type of environment it is being used in. For example, a hairdryer in a hotel room should not be tested as periodically as a power tool which is used on a construction site.
Legal requirements relating solely to the use and maintenance of electrical appliances or equipment within a working environment are clearly stated in the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which apply to all work activities which involve electrical equipment. It is the responsibility of employers to control the dangers of unsafe equipment within the working environment and states that all electrical systems and appliances must be maintained.
At present, there is no specific legal requirement to label your equipment that has undergone inspection or testing, nor is there a stipulation to keep a record of these actions. Nonetheless, labelling your equipment and keeping a record of this can be a favourable management means for monitoring, reviewing and proving the safety of your equipment.
You must also ensure that when purchasing new equipment it is supplied in a safe condition and does not require a pat test or inspection. You can do this by performing a quick visual check to make sure that the item is not damaged in any way.
When pursuing testing on your appliances, you must ensure that you acquire someone professional or competent enough to do it, especially if you are undertaking both inspection and testing. This is because they will need a higher level of experience, the correct equipment to do so and an ability to understand the results. Within a low-risk working environment, a member of your staff, if competent enough can perform a visual inspection if they are knowledgeable enough to do so, or have the training to do it.
If you are unsure about how to approach the testing of your equipment, then the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) provide a free downloadable guide on maintaining your portable electrical appliances.
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