PAT Testing

Portable Appliance Testing is a process of checking electrical appliances to see whether they are safe to use. It is an important part of any Health and Safety policy and is recommended for all types of businesses. According to the Health and Safety Executive, there are roughly 1,000 major electrical related injuries reported every year. It is vital to ensure that your electrical products are safe to use. The Electricity at Work Regulations state in Regulation 4(2) that:

“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger.”

This means that all of your company’s electrical equipment should be assessed and maintained on a regular basis, preferably by electrical inspection professionals but also through visual inspection by staff. Try to find a reputable PAT testing company which will carry out the following tasks where applicable:

• Visually inspect every appliance, lead and plug for damage, correct use and suitability for its environment.
• Open every plug, check all fuses and replace if required.
• Tighten every terminal and cable clamp.
• Test earth resistance, insulation resistance, polarity and function/load.
• Label every item with a unique code, in conjunction with the asset register.
• Produce a typed asset/equipment register, detailing each item’s unique ID Number, make, model and serial number, location, date tested, next recommended retest date, condition (pass/fail), and record, make safe, and report all failed items to the Duty Holder.

Ensure that your workplace is safe and regularly book PAT testing services.