PAT Testing Risk Assessment

24 September 2019

A responsible person needs to be identified as the person that will carry out PAT Testing.  The first thing to do is to carry out a risk assessment. You need to do the following:

1. Identify what Hazards there are?
2. Establish who could be harmed?
3. Determine what you need to do?
4. Make recommendations?
5. Keep records.

Who can PAT Test?

Any competent person can do the PAT Testing. To find out exactly what is involved and how to do it, do our free online pat testing course www.onlinepattestingcourse.co.uk It makes sense for all your staff to do the course as they need to be looking for signs of damage before using equipment. The PAT Test is just a moment in time, with equipment being used day in day out, damage can occur at any time.

What equipment do you need?

You need to have a straightforward Pass / Fail PAT Tester which is calibrated. All PAT Testers need annual calibration. Always ensure you have a valid calibration certificate prior to starting any PAT Testing. You can the range of PAT Testing we sell here kits here: Browse Kits

What appliances do you need to test?

You will need to consider what types of appliances you have:

•    Portable appliances
•    Movable or transportable appliances
•    Hand held appliance
•    Stationary appliances
•    Extension leads

Please note: we don’t recommend testing fixed appliances. These are appliances are wired directly into the wall and are not really suitable for testing with a PB500 without specialised training and equipment. It is best to contact an electrician for this.

What records do you need to keep?

You need to keep records to show your insurer and potentially the HSE (and any other interested parties) that you have a program for inspecting and maintaining portable electrical appliances. You can do this manually on paper, in a folder such as the one supplied by Parker Bell. Or you can keep it on a spread sheet. Just choose a method that suits you. Note: Remember to ensure the records are fire proof! If the worst happens and you have a fire, make sure your files are backed up (if electronic) or stored in a safe (if paper).

Equipment Register: On these records keep all of the relevant information about the appliance such as:

•          The appliance ID; this is the unique ID reference you assign to each appliance.
•          Description; what the appliance is e.g. kettle
•          What Class of appliance it is.
•          Location; where the appliance is usually located.
•          Serial Number; this can help where you have several of the same appliances.

Portable Appliance Test Report: On these records keep all the relevant information relating to the PAT Test itself

•          Appliance ID (as above)
•          Description (as above)
•          Class; class of the appliance
•          Location; where the appliance is used / kept.
•          Date tested
•          Visual inspection checklist; Plug, watts, fuse, socket, cord/lead, body.
•           PAT Test outcome
•          PAT Tester readings if you have a newer PB500 or the Primetest 100.
•          Safe to use Yes or No

The procedure for Pass and Fail should be documented so that it is consistently adhered to and understood by all staff. For example for failed appliances are they labelled FAIL or are they immediately disposed of in such a way that they cannot be mistakenly used.

What is the Class?

When carrying out your risk assessment it will help to understand the Class of the appliance. All portable electrical appliances will be Class I, Class II or a lead/cord. The PAT Tester will need to know this when they start testing. It is usually identified as part of the visual inspection. For the Risk assessment you will need to makes decisions such as does this lead need to be tested separately or as part of the appliance. So if you know that one lead is used for different appliances, it needs to be tested as an appliance in its own right. If you have a kettle with a separate lead, that is never separated – you may choose just to identify that as a single appliance.

How often should PAT Testing being carried out?

You need to determine the frequency for PAT Testing so factor in everything that contributes to risk:

•          Type of appliance; is it used with water? Does it have a long trailing lead? Or is it stationary in the corner of a quiet office?
•          Condition of the appliance; is it new or on its last legs?
•          Who the user is; is it a member of the public who is untrained or a trained skilled member of staff
•          Where it is used; a busy dirty workshop or a clean tidy office
•          How often it’s used
•          Any external factors; is it used outside in all weathers? What kind of business are you? If you are a carpenter working on a construction site, you must PAT test your appliances every 3 months. Are you a small office? Then you may decide to PAT Test annually or even bi-annually if you feel you are sufficiently low risk.

Your PAT Testing Risk Assessment might look like this:

When developing your risk assessment, make sure that you tailor it to your business. So if you have a Warehouse for example, areas that aren’t applicable to office appliances or workers; may apply to warehouse appliances or staff. Make sure you add any information that shows you have considered the impact on your business.

It is essential that you develop your Risk Assessment in line with the guidelines issued by your company. You must also factor in an specific considerations applicable to your industry or trade. It makes sense to spend some time looking at the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) website before starting; Risk Assessments & the HSE

Additional Reading & Guidance

Depending on your business, it may make sense to purchase the IEE ET 4TH Edition Code of Practice for PAT Testing (In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment) This has very detailed and specific advice for people responsible for PAT Testing.

If you working in a low risk environment, such as Care Homes, Hotels, Holiday Parks, Universities, Vets, Doctors, Dentists, Vets, Shops, Construction workers, Charities and many more; you can use the free guide provided by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf

Both of these publications provide excellent information, but ultimately you need to develop a PAT Testing Risk Assessment for your business.