Portable appliance testing (PAT) is a term used to describe the inspection and testing of electrical appliances to ensure their safety. PAT testing is essential for business owners and those responsible for any premises. Users can typically find electrical defects with a brief visual inspection of the appliance. However, some faults can only be found when the machine is tested. So, a PAT test aims to prevent any accidents caused by electrical malfunctions in the workplace.

Employers have a legal duty to ensure that electrical appliances in the workplace are safe to use. And PAT is a vital tool for doing so. But most people need clarification about what PAT involves. In this article, we will take a closer look at everything you need to know about PAT, including its legal requirement, where it is needed, how it is done, how often is a PAT test required, and most importantly, who can conduct a PAT test.

Is PAT testing a legal requirement?

Currently, no regulation makes PAT testing a legal requirement for employers in the workplace. As per the PAT testing regulations, there is no legal requirement to perform PAT testing by itself. However, conducting a PAT test is considered a best practice. And it is essential to keep in mind that PAT testing might not be a legal requirement, but it is important to keep legal compliance with health and safety regulations that are related to electrical appliances.

Businesses also have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of employees and the public. Most countries, such as the UK, state that companies must maintain electrical safety at the workplace. This means that PAT testing is a critical aspect of your business’s health and safety and should be considered part of the solution to your concerns regarding electrical security.

Faults in electrical equipment pose a potential risk, primarily when they need to be appropriately maintained. So, even though PAT testing is not required by law, the consequences of electrical faults should be considered carefully. PAT testing helps in providing the most effective way to analyze the defects that can come with use.

Here are some examples of safety regulations related to workplace safety that may be directly or indirectly outline the importance of electrical safety and the conduction of PAT tests:

• Electricity at Work Regulations (1989): The element of the Electricity at Work Regulation that affects PAT testing is the advice that electrical systems and appliances must be maintained to prevent any danger associated with electrical appliances.
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation (1998): Also known as PUWER, this regulation makes it a legal requirement for all electrical equipment in the workplace to be only used for its intended purpose.
• Health and Safety at Work Act (1974): This regulation makes it a legal requirement for employers to ensure their workplaces are safe. This involves assuring appliances in the workplace are safe for employees.
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999): This regulation highlights the steps employers should take to manage the health and safety of their employees, including workplace building.

Which electrical appliances require PAT testing?

PAT testing is generally performed on those electrical appliances connected to a power socket through a main cable. This includes all the portable electrical devices and those larger appliances that cannot be moved from one place to another. Here are some examples of devices that would require PAT tests:

• Computer and monitors
• Printers and photocopiers
• Kettles and toasters
• Microwaves ovens
• Fridges and freezers
• Vacuum cleaners
• Power tools
• Extension leads and adapters
• Washing machines
• Water coolers and vending machines

Why is the PAT test important?

PAT testing is an integral part of workplace safety. It helps in reducing the probability of workplace accidents occurring due to electrical malfunctions in the appliances. As an employer, conducting PAT testing will ensure that your property is legally compliant and safe for employees and anyone exposed. Electrical defects and faults can seriously threaten the worker’s health. Here are some of the reasons why performing PAT and mitigating these risks is essential:

• Electric Shocks: Electric shock injuries occur when there is a leak of electricity in the appliances. This is due to improper insulation, exposure to naked wires, and improper earthing. The sudden flow of electrical current through a person’s body can cause muscle damage, nerve damage, and temporary paralysis. Cardiac arrest is also a potential risk as the electrical shock impacts the heart.
• Burns: Burn injuries can be caused by contact with hot surfaces or electrical arcs. These arcs and surfaces can reach high temperatures and burn the skin tissue immediately at a touch. Higher voltages and more prolonged contact can also burn internal human body tissues and can cause permanent damage to the organs.
• Fires: Faulty sockets and appliances contribute to one of the leading causes of workplace fire accidents. This often occurs when an out-of-date machine is not maintained for a while. Fires can be caused by electrical arcing, overheating, or other malfunctions and can result in property damage, injury, or even death.

Who is responsible for PAT testing?

As we are aware by reading most of the relevant regulations, most health and safety laws make it the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the electrical appliances in their workplace are safe. Therefore, it is the employer’s responsibility to carry out PAT testing for his workplace. However, the employer can also organize a third-party service to perform a PAT test.

You need a competent person to perform a PAT test at your workplace. The person performing the PAT test should know how to conduct it safely and give accurate assessments of the appliances they have tested. The employers of a firm can also train its employees on how to perform a PAT test by providing them with PAT testing course, which would teach them how to perform PAT tests effectively. PAT training is a simple and advanced course that would help upskill you to become competent in conducting PAT tests.

PAT testing process

Portable appliance testing (PAT) involves several steps to ensure the electrical appliances are safe. The steps typically include the following:

• Visual inspection: The first step of performing a PAT test is to inspect and analyze all the appliances visually. This includes checking for signs of damage, such as cracks, frayed wires, or loose connections. Visual checking also involves checking that the devices are free from dirt and debris to prevent electrical arcing.
• Earth continuity test: This test involves checking whether the earth wire of the machine is earthed properly and can carry the required current. The inspector will check the rating of the current passing through the earth wire. The device would require maintenance and be declared faulty in case of abnormal readings.
• Insulation resistance test: The insulation resistance check is performed to check the electrical appliance insulation. The inspector would read the insulation’s current reading to check whether the insulation was working correctly.
• Functional test: The final step in the process is a practical test, which is used to ensure that the appliance is working as intended. This may involve running the appliance through a series of tests, such as turning it on and off, checking the heating element, etc. Conducting a functional test help in saving time and reduces downtime, which is when a machine is unavailable due to faults or malfunctioning.

How often is PAT testing required?

No PAT testing law states that the test should be conducted after a specific period. However, an employer should be sure of their responsibilities to ensure employees’ safety. The amount of PAT testing performed depends on the working environment of the workplace. For example, a workplace such as an office would require fewer PAT tests per month compared to a construction site or a health care facility, where the use of electrical appliances is way more significant and common than in offices.

The four factors that you should keep in mind when risk-assessing PAT frequency are:

• The working environment
• The type of equipment
• If equipment has been recently modified or repaired
• If there are any problems identified

The HSE also recommends the employer on considering:

• The manufacturer recommendations
• Equipment age
• How often is it used
• Misuse of the appliance
• History of the appliance

Conclusion

Understanding the legal requirements for PAT testing can take time for all businesses first. There isn’t a specific law that demonstrates the legal need for PAT testing in the workplace. But to maintain and ensure workplace safety, it is essential that PAT testing should be performed on electrical appliances. It is the sole responsibility of an employer to carry out the PAT test in the workplace. However, they can also assign this role to a third-party service or their employees, giving them sufficient PAT testing training. By conducting regular PAT testing, organizations can identify and address potential hazards, reduce the risk of electrical fires and accidents, and provide a safe working environment for their employees and visitors. Therefore, it is highly recommended that PAT testing should be carried out regularly to ensure that all electrical appliances are in safe working conditions.