What is PAT Testing?

The term ‘PAT’ stands for Portable Appliance Testing and is a way of testing portable appliances to ensure they comply with the electricity at work regulations 1989.

These regulations state that all appliances shall be ‘maintained’ to prevent danger. One way of ensuring that this law is being fulfilled is to have pat testing completed on appliances in environments which fall under the regulations, i.e. workplaces.

PAT testing should be carried out in workplaces where people will be using equipment. All workplaces generally have some kind of electrical equipment regardless of what their business is and all should be getting PAT testing completed to ensure they are fulfilling the legal requirement to maintain portable appliances.

The term ‘portable appliance’ covers all items which have a plug and lead and can be moved around. This includes things like kettles, computers, printers, TV’s, washing machines, fridges, microwaves, toasters and electric knives, etc.

The amount of items we use on a daily basis in many different workplaces and industries means that there is a lot of equipment needing to be maintained by employers and business owners. By offering your PAT testing services to these people you will be able to build a mutually beneficial relationship for future contracts.

Written by Sara Thomson