Getting it down PAT

All employers have a duty to ensure that the portable electrical appliances we use in the workplace are safe. PAT testing provides auditable records for each piece of equipment

by Tony Cable

01 May 2008

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which include the requirement for electrical equipment maintenance apply to all electrical systems in all places of work and where the public may be exposed to risk of injury or death. Regulation 4(2) requires electrical equipment to be maintained in a safe condition at all times, so far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent danger.

Portable appliance testing, or PAT testing as it is commonly known, encompasses 'portable equipment,' defined as items intended to be connected to the electricity supply by a plug, socket or a fused connection unit. It also includes equipment that is either hand-held or hand-operated while connected to a supply, or is intended to be moved. This includes cord sets and extension leads. If no control is evident to ensure that electrical equipment in the workplace is used in a safe manner, and no inspections are ever undertaken by the equipment user then formal inspection and, if necessary, testing and production of meaningful records are required by law.

The law requires employers to assess risks and take appropriate action. For most office electrical equipment, visual checks for obvious signs of damage and a simple test by a competent member of staff are quite sufficient.

1  Frequency

It is common practice to carry out the activity annually. However, a number of factors may determine the on-going periods at which electrical maintenance should be undertaken. Such factors will include the nature of the equipment in use, the working voltage of the equipment, the working environment (indoors or outdoors), and the status of the equipment "user" (ordinary person, skilled person) as well as equipment manufacturers' recommendations and the age of the equipment. Of course, the results of previous tests should also have a bearing on the frequency as worsening test values of insulation resistance may signify deterioration causing increase in leakage current.

2  Sourcing expertise

Obtaining an individual or company to provide the PAT service can be achieved by a number of means. One avenue would be to take advice from others who have employed reliable, competent companies to undertake the inspection, testing and record-keeping requirement. Like many services, recommendation can often be the best way to get the best company for the task.

Finding a person who possesses a relevant, recently acquired, qualification in electrical equipment maintenance can also be sought. For instance, the City & Guilds 2377 course offers a written assessment-based qualification for both managing the activity and undertaking the process itself. The chosen person does not have to be a qualified electrician as no remedial work is being carried out, but must have sufficient knowledge and experience to inspect, and where necessary, test equipment and produce results of the activity. Such records should be available to the person undertaking the subsequent checks too.

3  What the test involves

Firstly, a formal visual inspection is carried out on the piece of portable equipment. This is the most important part of a maintenance programme, because the majority of potentially dangerous faults are picked up this way. This check will include ensuring equipment is suitable for its environment, the casing of the equipment is sound or the sheath of the connecting cable or cord is not nicked, gouged or otherwise damaged.

PAT testing equipment will then be used to test the electrical items and any errors should be highlighted in the test results. The equipment that passes the test will be given a durable label listing the date of the inspection, a pass or fail outcome, an ID code and the date of its next check. Faulty equipment should be then taken out of use until repaired or replaced.

4  Avoiding disruption

This depends on how your organisation operates and the amount of electrical equipment to be tested. Some companies with large offices and many items to test allow those undertaking the work to operate overnight, thus ensuring little disruption both to them and the workforce. However, many organisations are comfortable with the PAT testing taking place during the working day, as disruption can still be minimal so long as effective communication to the workforce has been carried out.

NICEIC acts as the UK electrical contracting industry's independent voluntary regulatory body for electrical installation safety matters

Key points for consideration

When commissioning PAT testing consider...

• is the person undertaking the testing competent? Look out for the NICEIC logo

• how many items of equipment need testing?

•  when will there be minimal disruption to your workplace?

• inspection and test results must be recorded; model forms would include an equipment register, the results of inspection and testing, a repair register and faulty equipment register

• are the records available to you and the next person undertaking the testing?

• make sure the PAT tester has given the equipment a durable label

• the price should include minor ad hoc remedial work, including replacement fuses, cracked plug tops and so on

• testing reports should be delivered at least within two weeks from the

• make sure the supplier uses fully employed testers, not sub-contractors

• suppliers should comply with the IEE code of practice for in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment

• suppliers should have at least £5 million public liability insurance

Tony Cable is senior events engineer for NICEIC Group