What is PAT testing and why do businesses need it?

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires that employers and employees take responsibility for the safety of all those working at the premises, and this includes the safety of electrical appliances.

PAT stands for “Portable Appliance Testing” and involves checking every electrical appliance that has a plug and is reasonably portable or can be moved around. If you’re an employer, you need to show that you are doing all you can to keep your employees safe as they go about their daily work. Electricity poses a great risk and appliances can easily become damaged or deteriorated, leading to risk of electric shock.

What happens in a PAT test?

We carry out a visual inspection to check for damage, and then electrical tests are performed using a PAT machine to check that the item is earthed, that the internal wiring is not damaged, and that there is no power leakage. Here’s Jordan explaining the process in more detail on YouTube:

We offer an all–inclusive PAT service, from five appliances to 50,000+ we can give you the cover you need. Our fully comprehensive annual PAT service can help your business to ensure you comply with health and safety standards – you will also need PAT testing for insurance purposes. To find out more, contact us