Portable Appliance Testing

Plugs bigger

Who can conduct tests?

The stereotypical idea of PAT is simply plugging an item into a tester, pressing a button, waiting for a PASS or FAIL and putting a sticker on a plug. Even if this were true, it identifies that the only person to do a full PAT is someone with the relevant test equipment.

However, the name Portable Appliance Testing has changed, even though people generally are not aware, and it has been intentionally used in the title of this page and on our advertising material because people don't know that it has changed. The correct term now is "In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment" because the emphasis is on Inspection.

That means that any 'competent person' can conduct the larger part of the task but does that 'competent person' know what they are looking for? For instance, what fuse rating should be fitted to a 13A plug? It depends on what equipment is on the other end of the cable. Do all 3-pin plugs need an earth? What is the maximum electrical load on an extension cable? Is that still true if it is coiled up? A person who is qualified by City and Guilds 2377 is the only person that you should trust to know the answers and to thoroughly inspect and test your appliances.
Ironing

The first line of defence with electrical safety is to conduct 'User checks', but do your staff know that it is a requirement? Are they used to having to knock the switch or waggle the cord at the plug to make it work? Have you, as the Duty Holder who will answer to the Coroner, assessed the situation and provided training for your staff?

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 3(1) states:

"Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of:

(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed while they are at work, and

(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking."

Fire and Rescue Incident statistics (Scotland) 2020- 2021 identify the top three causes of fire as cooking appliances, electrical wiring and electrical appliances.

What are the risks to your staff, your guests and your property? A Health and Safety Assessment with a Fire Risk Assessment and PAT inspection will demonstrate to insurers and other official bodies that you have done as much as is reasonably practicable to identify, reduce and manage risk. Get in touch with Heron Safety and let us help you move forward in your business safely.