Who Can Carry Out PAT Testing?
2 min read
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the process of examining, observing, and testing portable electrical equipment and appliances, in order to ensure that they are safe to use. There is a common misconception that this type of electrical testing requires extensive qualifications but this is not the case, anyone who is competent to do so can complete PAT Testing in low-risk environments.
Who Is Allowed To PAT Test?
According to The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 all electrical equipment should be well maintained in a safe condition for the user, and PAT Testing is a recommended way of ensuring that this is the case. These regulations apply to a wide range of people, including:
- Employers
- The Self-Employed
- Landlords
- Commercial Property Owners
- Tool Hire Businesses
Anyone completing PAT testing is required to be competent and needs to understand the equipment being tested, the type of testing required, the specific type of testing equipment used, and how to record reliable results.
How & When Should You PAT Test?
There are different stages of PAT Testing from visual inspections, to more complex testing using PAT Testing Devices.
The need for different levels of Portable Appliance Testing, or the regularity that testing should be performed, depends on:
- The Type of Equipment
- The Hazards and Risks that may be associated with it
- The Frequency of the Appliances’ Use
- The Nature of the Appliances’ Use
A Risk Assessment may deem that a Table Saw used in a workshop would require more extensive and regular testing than a Lamp in an office. This is because the intensity of use of the Table Saw is going to be much higher than that of the Lamp.
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Sam has been professionally associated with Health and Safety Training 1st for over 2 years and is involved in both course writing and tutoring. He has a multitude of both Construction and Wider Industry relevant qualifications and certifications.