What is PAT testing?

Pat testing is a vital section of your health & safety policy. Pat testing is the process in which portable equipment is tested for electrical safety

The Health & Safety Executive states that a quarter of all accidents with electrical equipment are based around portable appliances.

Regulations now protect workers by placing a legal responsibility on employers, employees and even self-employed workers to adhere to the regulations and take steps to protect themselves from any dangerous arising from such equipment

This requires the implementation of a regular system of maintenance, inspection and testing. The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) applies in the following circumstances:

• Where appliances are used by employees.
• Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc.
• Where appliances are supplied or hired.
• Where appliances are repaired or serviced.

The level of PAT testing needed is dependant upon the risk of the portable appliance becoming faulty, the nature of its usex and the environment in which it is used.

Who is Responsible for PAT testing?

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) requires, every employer to ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is provided, only used in the place and under the provisions for which it is provided. It also requires every employer to ensure work equipment be efficiently maintained and kept fit and suitable for its intended purpose.

It must not be allowed to deteriorate in function or performance to such a leval that it puts people at risk. This means that regular, routine and planned maintenance regimes must be considered if hazardous problems can arise.

Regulation 3 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 recognises a responsibility that employers and many employees have for electrical systems.

“It shall be the duty of every employer and self employed person to comply with the provisions of the Regulations in sar far as they relate to matters which are within his control.

It shall be the duty of every employee while at work:

(a) to co-operate with his employer so far as is necessary to enable and duty placed on that employer by the provision of the Regulations to be complied with: and
(b) to comply with the provision of these regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control.”