PAT testing – is it a legal requirement

[Nigel Pugh]

Warren I know we have had everything electrical, PAT tested every year for the last several years, so for business’s I would guess it is a requirement now.

Nigel

[Warren Beard]

So can it be done by an electrician or does it have to be done by this organisation? £99 to check my plugs are OK seems steep? 😕

[Gary Birch]

Pretty certain there is no legal requirement but it is very common for insurers to stipulate that it must be done.

We have been asked on questionnaires from customers whether we do it too

Cheers

Gary

[Phill Fenton]

Every man and his dog seems to do PAT testing these days – I’m inundated with phone calls and emails offering the service. I think it’s because anyone can go out and buy the equipment to do PAT testing. A bit like becoming a Sign maker 😕

We never bothered until last year when our insurance company insisted upon it.

However, £99 seems to be a reasonable price given it can take a few hours to go around and test every single appliance in the building. Check your insurance small print – they probably insist on it.

[Hugh Potter]

£99 seems steep to me, considering it would take 20 mins to do my whole workshop!

bargain…..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrical-Te … 255e1a7dc9

chip in with your neighbours, find a ‘how to’ on youtube and away you go!

[John Gregson]

I don’t think there is any legal requirement to have pat testing done – if you have employees your insurance may request it though.

[David Rogers]

if it’s just you that’s using it then probably not need a PAT test cert. as it’s not required legally. BUT, if any employees have access to the electrical equipment then your insurance may insist on it. If the public have use of it, then it IS a legal requirement…and certain items require more frequent testing (such as kettles).

quote :

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states:

“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided”. (Regulation 4(1))

“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair”. (Regulation 5)

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:

“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger”.

(Regulation 4(2))

“It shall be the duty of every employer and self-employed person to comply with the provisions of these Regulations in so far as they relate to matters which are within his control”. (Regulation 3)

Most tests are for 2-3years.

To carry out the tests you need a PAT test unit and be ‘competent’ to carry them out by getting a £150-£300 city & guilds / scotvec ‘diploma’ at your local college or training centre…or know what constitutes safe / unsafe. NO formal training required but an insurer may insist the person is at least 17th ed. certified.

£99 for a workshop, office & all contents isn’t bad.

[Warren Beard]

Thanks for the feedback, learn something new every day. maybe best to just get it done, will have to listen this time to all the details when he phones :lol1:

Thanks guys

[John Thomson]

Do what I did……..sit the online test and become a PAT tester 😀
From memory it cost me £50……..
There is no time limit….the certificate lasts a lifetime.

John

[Gavin MacMillan]

We looked into this and there is no requirement, we did choose to get any heavy equipment certified though – chop saw / circular saw / bench sander / 3kw heaters. Didn’t bother with computers and smaller items though.

G

[Ivan Morley]

When I spoke to the H&S approx 10 years ago, they confirmed that there is no legal obligation for PAT, but by doing so, you can demonstrate that you are attempting to comply with the spirit of the regulations.

Also, as stated above, insurance companies insist on annual checks, to minimize the risk of electrical fires.

Any electrical testing must be carried out by a competent person (qualifications and/or experience).

The companies who do PAT often use state of the art testers, which print out a pass/fail sticker as well as a list of all appliances tested (good auditing exercise). At the cheaper end (but just as effective), the stickers are handwritten.

The regulations suggest cables need testing every 10 years, and some items perhaps every 2, but the testers will check each item every year, especially if they are paid per item. Don’t forget that a power cable which plugs into a device has to be tested separately (potentially doubling the test cost per item).

[Matty Goodwin]

To work on a site last year I had to prove my heat gun and extension lead were PAT tested..This was told to me on the Friday evening the night before the job.

After ringing around PAT testers they wanted ’emergency call out charge’.

Then one PAT tester told me any electrical goods still in original packaging has passed EU/CE regulations and doesn’t need testing. Bought new heat gun and lead following morning and had a good day’s fitting with an angry H&s guy overlooking my every move! Happy day’s!

[Gareth Hankinson]

That’s an interesting one matty good to know haha.

I have free use of a local AV companies tester that does print outs I really should get everything checked for piece of mind and just incase scenario on a job.