PAT (Portable Appliance Testing)
What is PAT Testing?
Portable Appliance Testing or PAT Testing is the process of checking electrical appliances, the equipment must be checked for safety by completing a series of visual inspections and electronic tests.
WHAT IS THE ‘PAT TESTING’ LAW?
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation’s S.I NO. 299 of 2007 means that there is a requirement under Irish law that all businesses carry out PAT Testing on all portable appliances.
PAT Testing is a proactive approach to health and safety and a way of making sure electric equipment complies with safety standards and is not dangerous to users from either electric shock or fire. In order to comply with regulations, periodic inspections of electric equipment should be done to determine the risk level. For more details read here
WHAT IS A PORTABLE APPLIANCE?
The most logical way to think of this, is an appliance that has a plug on the end that plugs into a socket.
Examples of portable appliances in an office include PCs, Monitors, Printers, Extension Lead.
Examples in a kitchen include Fridges, Microwaves, Toasters, Kettles.
Examples on a construction site include Hand Drills, Power Reels, Battery Chargers.
What is involved PAT Testing?
PAT testing is similar to what a manufacturer would be responsible for at the end of the manufacturing process. It is a basic electrical safety test but critically adheres to safety standards.
You can see below that there are many different appliance testing categories:
- Fixed/White goods appliances
- Stationary appliances
- IT appliances
- Portable/Cables and chargers appliances
- Hand Held appliances
- Power Tools
How Do We PAT Test?
PAT testing consists of a series of inspections, both visual and electrical safety tests. Electrical appliances are categorized in three main categories: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. Depending on the class of the appliance will determine to what extent it needs to be tested to.
Requirements for each class can be broken down into 3 classes:
Class 1 – Equipment which is usually an earthed piece of equipment, is to conduct a visual inspection, earth continuity test and insulation resistance test.
Class 2 – Equipment which have no protective earth would be liable to carry out a visual inspection and an insulation resistance test. All tests are recorded, and a risk assessment is carried out to assess appropriate re-test schedules.
Class 3 – This level of protection is designed with safety in mind and offers protection against electric shock that exceeds that offered by Class 1, 2 equipment.
PAT Testing Step 1
Full visual inspection & electrical testing of each of the appliances at your business. Conducted with specialised machinery to spot any possible faults.
Appliance Tagging Step 2
Each Appliance will be labelled with a barcoded ID tag with dates and results printed on them so that is clear that each of your appliances have been tested.
Certification & Reporting Step 3
You will receive a detailed report outlining the results of all of your appliances. These reports are in approved format for safety offices and insurance companies work always
Why do PAT testing?
1. IT’S THE LAW
2. IMPROVE SAFETY
Keep your business and your staff safe from electrical injuries caused by appliances.
3. ENHANCE ASSET LIFETIME VALUE
Our staff can spot faults that could result in your appliance not lasting as long as it should.
4. REDUCED INSURANCE LIABILITY
Having your appliances tested allows you to show that you were being safe and cautious.
5. INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY
Having your appliances in working order all the time and avoiding faults means your staff can keep up the hard work always
6. INSURANCE REQUIREMENT
The majority of Irish Insures now require that you have your appliance pat tested so that you can prove they were safe in case of accidents.
7. PROTECT YOUR STAFF/CUSTOMERS
Keep your staff safe at work, don’t allow a faulty appliance to hurt one of your team. By PAT Testing all portable equipment, employers are able to ascertain whether or not the portable equipment (including cables and plugs) was safe and without risk on the day of the test, to persons coming into direct or indirect contact with any live part of the equipment (as far as could reasonably be ascertained).
8. PAT TESTING REPORTS & CERTIFICATES
You will receive a detailed report outlining the results of all of your appliances. These reports are in an approved format for safety offices and insurance companies
Contact info@bsafeatwork.ie for further details