PAT testing is one of the most important aspects of equipment testing. Ensuring that your electrical appliances are regularly, PAT tested will help prevent potential fire risks. It is a crucial way to ensure your safety and the safety of your workforce.
What Is PAT Testing?
A PAT test is an inspection of portable electrical appliances. Not every appliance requires testing, but for the ones that do, the test must be conducted properly. PAT tests are conducted regularly and will determine whether an appliance is safe or needs to be decommissioned. The tests drastically reduce the risk of electrical accidents occurring in the workplace. You should seek an experienced and accredited electrician to conduct a PAT test thoroughly. They can determine whether an appliance has passed or failed its test.
A proper PAT test will incorporate visual and more thorough checks to determine the safety status of an appliance. These tests include earth continuity checks, insulation resistance, and lead polarity.
Electricity at Work Legislation
Any business must have its portable appliances tested to deem them safe for use. This is in line with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The regulations state that any appliance that has the potential to endanger the user must be maintained well enough that it remains safe for employees to use.
The regulations do not state how frequently portable appliances should be tested and who is required to test them. It only specifies that they must undergo some form of PAT testing before they can be safely used in the workplace.
PAT Testing Benefits
There are countless reasons why all electrical appliances and machinery should be tested, whether it is portable or connected directly to the mains. These tools can potentially cause serious harm to those who use them if they are not regularly checked for faults and potential dangers. To keep employees safe in the workplace, PAT testing is a necessity.
Here are just some of the benefits of conducting regular PAT tests:
● Increases the safety of staff
● Minimises the risk of workplace fires
● Saves your business money
● Reduces cost of workplace insurance
The Impact of Irregular PAT Testing
While regular PAT testing isn’t a legal requirement, neglecting your electrical appliance maintenance can do a lot to jeopardise the safety of those using them. Infrequent testing will not effectively reduce the risk of harm from using electrical equipment. As well as increasing the risk of injury or electrocution, irregular PAT testing hugely increases the risk of electrical fires. Any electrical appliance that is used frequently by employees should undergo regular safety checks.
How to Determine PAT Test Frequency
Depending on the appliance in question, the frequency of testing can differ. 3 things determine how often you should test an appliance:
1. Environmental risk
2. Appliance category
3. Electrical classification
You should also consider the product manufacturer's recommendations, how frequently the appliance is used, and the age of the equipment. These can all affect the level of risk posed by portable electrical appliances. It is also important to note that if you have had a previous fault with a piece of equipment, you should increase the frequency of PAT tests for that appliance.
The Importance of Appliance Safety Labels
Safety labels are essential for informing people of the potential dangers of using an appliance. Not only do they provide a warning to users, but they also display important information about the appliance at the source. PAT test labels should be used to clearly identify the portable appliances that have been tested, stating the date of their most recent test. This makes it easier for anyone using equipment to know how frequently it needs testing and when it will require re-testing.
You can find everything you need here at Tag Tec if you require safety labels for your electronic equipment, machinery, or scaffolding. We supply a full range of safety tags and bespoke options, including PAT testing labels, to ensure workplaces stay as safe as possible.