Can I PAT Test?

8 January 2019

Yes is the simple answer, you can PAT test!  A more in-depth answer is that whoever carries out the PAT Testing has to have the appropriate skills and knowledge. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) say any competent person can PAT Test.

The ‘Electricity at Work Regulations’ says the following:

“No person shall be engaged in any work activity where technical knowledge or experience is necessary to prevent danger, or where appropriate, injury, unless he possesses such knowledge or experience, or is under such degree of supervision as may be appropriate having regard to the nature of the work.”

So essentially, as a company owner or a safety officer, it is your responsibility. You must ensure the person PAT testing has the knowledge and expertise required to do the job competently and safely. Obviously, this is not terribly specific advice; just take reasonable steps to ensure your staff know what they’re doing.

Firstly, find out exactly what’s involved in PAT Testing.  Our Free Online PAT Testing Course takes around 25 minutes and shows you exactly what’s involved as well as where to get more information if you need it. Depending on your line of work, the skills and knowledge needed to do PAT Testing is usually pretty straightforward. So there is nothing to stop you getting started.

If by doing the course you; or your nominated PAT Tester don’t feel confident enough to do PAT Testing; additional training should be sought. Parker Bell offer a course which is a hands on practical course with no more than 8 people attending which is ideal in this situation.  You need to ensure that the person doing the testing has had sufficient training to work safely with electrical equipment. That they know how to carry out PAT Testing competently and how to work with the PAT Testing Kits you provide. You should ensure your staff member is prepared with the correct knowledge and understanding.

When choosing the best PAT Testing kit, keep in mind what you get with it as well as the machine itself. It will need to be a Pass Fail machine, but you will also need a method of recording test outcomes, Pass and Fail labels and so on. Everything you need to start PAT Testing is provided in our Kits – take a look at our pat testing kits

We also recommend our PAT testing DVD which comes with all of our PAT testing kits and it will walk you through the process.

In Summary

Whatever you do, consider the safety of your staff and visitors.  Use common sense when assigning staff PAT Testing duties. Ensure staff are trained sufficiently and feel confident in the task. If you want more information you could consult the IEE Code Of Practice for In-Service Inspection & Testing Of Electrical Equipment. Their resources can be quite dry and may be unnecessary for someone that is looking to PAT test for only one company.

For more information about PAT testing feel free to contact our friendly team for advice.