Health and Safety

Executive

PAT - Portable appliance testing FAQs

There are many common myths about portable appliance testing (PAT) - find out the key facts about the inspection
and testing of portable electrical equipment here.

What is portable appliance testing?

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and
equipment to ensure they are safe to use. Most electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination
but some types of defect can only be found by testing. However, it is essential to understand that visual
examination is an essential part of the process because some types of electrical safety defect can't be
detected by testing alone.

A relatively brief user check (based upon simple training and perhaps assisted by the use of a brief checklist)
can be a very useful part of any electrical maintenance regime. However, more formal visual inspection and
testing by a competent person may also be required at appropriate intervals, depending upon the type of
equipment and the environment in which it is used

I've been told that, by law, I must have my portable electrical appliances tested every year. Is this
correct?

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause
injury is maintained in a safe condition. However, the Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by
whom or how frequently (ie they don't make inspection or testing of electrical appliances a legal requirement,
nor do they make it a legal requirement to undertake this annually).

How frequently do I need to test my electrical appliances?

The frequency of inspection and testing depends upon the type of equipment and the environment it is used
in. For example, a power tool used on a construction site should be examined more frequently than a lamp in
a hotel bedroom. For guidance on suggested frequencies of inspection and testing, see: Maintaining portable
and transportable electrical equipment.[72]

Do I need to keep records of testing and should I label any appliances tested?

There is no legal requirement to label equipment that has been inspected or tested, nor is there a requirement
to keep records of these activities. However, a record and / or labelling can be a useful management tool for
monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the maintenance scheme – and to demonstrate that a scheme
exists.

Do I need to test new equipment?

New equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and not require a formal portable appliance inspection
or test. However, a simple visual check is recommended to verify the item is not damaged.

I have been told that I have to get an electrician to do portable appliance testing work. Is that
correct?

The person doing testing work needs to competent to do it. In many low-risk environments, a sensible
(competent) member of staff can undertake visual inspections if they have enough knowledge and training.
However, when undertaking combined inspection and testing, a greater level of knowledge and experience is
needed, and the person will need:

the right equipment to do the tests

the ability to use this test equipment properly

the ability to properly understand the test results

Where can I get more information about maintaining portable appliances used in different
environments?

Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment[73]

Maintaining portable electric equipment in offices and other low-risk environments[74]

Information is also available in: Work using electrically powered equipment[75].

I run a tool hire business? What do I need to do and are there additional responsibilities for the
person hiring my tools?

It is strongly recommended that equipment suppliers formally inspect and test the equipment before each hire,
in order to ensure it is safe to use. The person hiring the equipment should also take appropriate steps to
ensure it remains safe to use throughout the hire period. The question 'What is portable appliance testing?'
above gives guidance on what this will entail.

Are there are any case studies about portable appliance testing?

A high street travel agent's approach to PAT

A high street travel agency thought about what it needed to do to maintain its portable electrical equipment.
As their work generally included office work and dealing with customers the manager considered that
health and safety risks would be generally low. The portable electrical equipment was used in a clean and
dry shop by a small number of employees. In deciding what action was needed:

the manager thought about the type of portable equipment that was used in their shop and the
level of risk that it might create;

she looked for electrical equipment in the shop and found that there were a number of
computers, a fax, two printers and a vacuum cleaner;
 she then thought about the likelihood that the items could become damaged:

Computers, printers and faxes were not moved around much and were positioned so
that the cables could not become trapped, so the probability that items might be
damaged was extremely low. The manager decided that they would be maintained
by a visual inspection every 5 years.
The vacuum cleaner was heavily used. The manager remembered that the cable
was repaired 6 months ago by an electrician as it had been pulled out of the cable
grip, so she knew that in future it would need to be looked at more often. It was
decided that the vacuum should have a visual inspection every 6 months and that
employees would be encouraged to look for signs of damage to the plug and cable
before plugging it in.

The manager kept a note of the checks in her diary to remind herself to re-inspect the
equipment.

Only the vacuum cleaner was thought to present a high risk, so the manager decided to get this
tested after twelve months and review this after 24 months.

None of the remaining equipment in use was thought to present a high risk, so the manager
decided that full portable appliance testing was not needed for these items.

Key Points:

Portable electrical equipment must be maintained to prevent danger.

For most portable electrical equipment in a low-risk workplace, a portable appliance test is not
needed.

Working out what you have to do is not time consuming or complicated.

Simply looking for signs of damage is a good way of Maintaining portable electric equipment.

HSE's approach to maintaining portable appliances in its own offices

In 2011, the HSE reviewed its approach to portable appliance maintenance in its own offices. Thinking
about the type of equipment in use, and how it was used, the HSE looked back at the results from its
annual testing of portable appliances across its estate over the last five years. Using the results of the
previous tests, the HSE decided that further portable appliance tests are not needed within the foreseeable
future or at all for certain types of portable equipment. Also, they decided to continue to monitor any faults
reported as a result of user checks and visual inspections and review its maintenance system if evidence
suggests that it needs revising. Electrical equipment will continue to be maintained by a series of user
checks and visual inspections by staff that have had some training

Is Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) compulsory?

Resources
Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments (INDG236) [76]

Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (HSR 25) [77]

Electricity at work: Safe working practices (HSG 85) [78]

Safety in electrical testing at work (INDG354)[79]

Related content
ESQCR[81] incidents[82]
 Construction industry[83]

Agriculture[84]

Offshore division[85]
Chemical industries[86]

Quarries[87]

RIDDOR[88]

Statistics[89]

Link URLs in this page

1. Electrical safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/index.htm
2. Overview - HSE electrical safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/hse.htm
3. How we work
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/how.htm
4. Who we are
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/who.htm
5. Contacts
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/contacts.htm
6. Electrical injuries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/injuries.htm
7. Overview - Simple precautions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/precautions.htm
8. Work near electricity
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/nearelectric.htm
9. Excavation and underground services
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/excavations.htm
10. Overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/overhead.htm
11. Work using electrically powered equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/electricequip.htm
12. Work on electrical equipment, machinery or installations
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/withequip.htm
13. Maintaining electrical equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/safety.htm
14. Electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive.htm
15. Standards and codes of practice
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/standards.htm
16. Electrical safety FAQs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq.htm
17. Overview - Electricity in potentially explosive atmospheres FAQs
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/index.htm
18. General, guidance and enforcement issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/general.htm
19. Definitions
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/definitions.htm
20. Interpretation
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/interpretation.htm
21. Technical standards
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/standards.htm
22. Existing equipment issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/existing.htm
23. Imported products
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/imported.htm
24. General issues and information
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25. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) issues
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/atex/lpg.htm
26. Overview - Resources
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/index.htm
27. General health and safety
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/general.htm
28. Inspection & testing
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/testing.htm
29. Maintenance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/maintenance.htm
30. Construction
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31. Farming/forestry
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/agriculture.htm
32. Public places
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/public.htm
33. Potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/explosive.htm
34. The law
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/law.htm
35. Other workplaces
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/other.htm
36. Links
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37. Overview - Accident case studies
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/experience.htm
38. Overview - Overhead power lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/index.htm
39. Lorry driver suffers burns
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/lorry.htm
40. Failing to warn driver of overhead lines
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/farmer.htm
41. Failure to isolate power supply
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/isolate.htm
42. Erecting a lighting tower
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/under.htm
43. Scaffolding contacting overhead line
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/scaffold.htm
44. Moving tower scaffold
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/overhead/painters.htm
45. Overview - Electrical maintenance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/index.htm
46. Changing an electrode
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/electrode.htm
47. Touching live equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/touch.htm
48. Incorrectly wired appliance
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/appliance.htm
49. Insulating live wires
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/insulate.htm
50. Faulty air conditioning unit
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/aircondition.htm
51. Live electrical panel
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/panel.htm
52. Supply not been properly isolated
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/isolate.htm
53. Injuries result in amputation
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/amputation.htm
54. Switchgear not isolated
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/switchgear.htm
55. Induction heat treatment machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/heart.htm
56. Poorly constructed equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/testing.htm
57. Pressure water washing machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/washingmachine.htm
58. Metal fence
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/fence.htm
59. Incorrectly wiring a machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/wiring.htm
60. Mail wrapping machine
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/maintenance/mail.htm
61. Overview - Excavations
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/index.htm
62. Cable locator
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/locator.htm
63. Road breaker
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/roadbreaker.htm
64. Pneumatic impact mole
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/mole.htm
65. Pneumatic breaker
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/breaker.htm
66. Jackhammer
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/jackhammer.htm
67. Breaking concrete
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/concrete.htm
68. Gas pipes and electrical cables
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/excavations/digger.htm
69. Overview - Ignition of potentially explosive atmospheres
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/index.htm
70. Removing paint in a yacht
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/paint.htm
71. Cleaning electric stirrer
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/explosive/clean.htm
72. Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg107.htm
73. Maintaining portable and transportable electrical equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg107.htm
74. Maintaining portable electric equipment in offices and other low-risk environments
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.htm
75. Work using electrically powered equipment
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/electricequip.htm
76. Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments (INDG236)
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.htm
77. Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (HSR 25)
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsr25.htm
78. Electricity at work: Safe working practices (HSG 85)
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg85.htm
79. Safety in electrical testing at work (INDG354)
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg354.htm
80. More resources
https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/information/index.htm
81. ESQCR
https://www.hse.gov.uk/esqcr/index.htm
82. incidents
https://www.hse.gov.uk/esqcr/index.htm
83. Construction industry
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84. Agriculture
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85. Offshore division
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86. Chemical industries
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 87. Quarries
https://www.hse.gov.uk/quarries/index.htm
88. RIDDOR
https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm
89. Statistics
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm

Glossary of abbreviations/acronyms on this page

ESQCR Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations

HSE aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health.

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