PAT – Portable Appliance Testing Homerton, E9

What is PAT Testing?

A PAT test is a routine inspection of some types of electrical appliances to check they are safe to use. Its purpose is to prevent electrical accidents in the workplace.

A complete PAT test should include both visual inspections and more detailed testing using specialist equipment. This test covers earth continuity, lead-polarity, as well as insulation resistance checks. At the end of a PAT test, every appliance should be marked ‘passed’ or ‘failed’, at which point you will be provided with an in-depth report of the tests we have carried out.

 Do I need my appliances tested?

There is currently no strict legal requirement for PAT testing. However, the Government has established regulations that govern the maintenance of electrical appliances. PAT testing is the best way to ensure these regulations are adhered to.

The UK Health and Safety Executive along with insurance companies will expect you to perform PAT testing to ensure that you are compliant with certain regulations including:

• Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974
• The Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999

Failure to comply with the regulations can lead to fines up to PS5,000 or six months imprisonment. Fines can reach as high as PS20,000, and Crown Court offenses can result in sentences exceeding 2 years imprisonment. So even though PAT testing itself is not legally required, it simply helps you to protect yourself by ensuring that you are complying with these regulations.

Claims that PAT testing is required by law and that the client is breaking the law by not having it done are simply not true. Employers, whether self-employed or not, must ensure that all electrical equipment used in their business is safe and properly maintained. This means that PAT testing is a critical part of your company’s health and safety and should be considered part of a solution to your safety concerns.

PAT testing provides the most effective way to identify defects that can come with use. Faults in electrical equipment pose a potential hazard, particularly if they are not repaired readily. Even though PAT testing itself is not required by law, the consequences of electrical faults should be considered carefully.

Local PAT Testers