If you run a business, the portable electrical appliances and equipment you use must be regularly checked to ensure they meet safety standards.
The best way to maintain safety standards with your equipment is to conduct regular PAT testing, which is usually performed by a company like us that specialises in electrical safety for commercial businesses.
Is PAT testing A Legal Requirement?
Many people assume that PAT testing itself is a legal requirement but in fact that isn’t true. What IS a legal requirement is ensuring your portable electrical equipment is maintained in a ‘safe condition’, and that’s why PAT testing has become so important as more businesses look for the best solution for enhancing the safety of their appliances.
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 do not state what needs to be done or how often in order to keep electrical items in a ‘safe condition’, which can lead some people to think that their electrical equipment is quite clearly fine as it has never had a problem before. However, you might just be surprised how dangerous a portable electrical item can be that hasn’t been looked after over the years, and PAT testing is really useful in determining this.
Who Does This Apply To?
PAT testing gives any business owner peace of mind that their electrical equipment does not pose any threat of injury. It is particularly important for landlords too.
How Often Should Things Be Tested?
We recommend PAT testing is done each year as a minimum but larger businesses with more advanced electricals should really do this more regularly.
What Does PAT Testing Actually Check?
Your electrical engineer will check for loose components, frayed wires, cracking and damage. If the item in question has had a bit of a hard life, you may find the PAT test actually fails.
How Long Does The Test Take?
It really depends on how many portable appliances you have! It is generally a quick process for each item, so an engineer can get through quite a few appliances in a day.
What Happens Afterwards?
Once completed, the PAT testing engineer will place a green and white sticker on the item that verifies the appliance has passed the safety test. If an item should fail for whatever reason, your engineer will advise on next steps and recommended course of action.