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Ensure your electrical appliances are safe, compliant, and properly maintained with professional PAT Testing.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) helps businesses, landlords, and organizations meet legal obligations under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Portable Appliance Testing is a set of inspections and a routine of tests performed on workplace electrical equipment to ensure the safety of the user.
All PAT Testing is carried out by experienced engineers, in line with a strict set of guidelines laid out in the IEE Code of Practice for In-service Inspection of Electrical Equipment.
Consider PAT Testing as the equivalent of an annual gas safety check, but for the electrical equipment in your workplace. Whether its computer equipment in your office, tools within your workshop or factory, right down to the kitchen kettle, it’s not just important, but a legal requirement that we ensure they are safe for our staff and visitors to use.
Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, employers have a duty to ensure that the electrical equipment they provide is safe and being used for the purpose it is designed.
Portable appliances can be extremely dangerous if left unchecked and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) report that faulty portable appliances are responsible for 25% of all reported electrical accidents.
Electricity is so dangerous that many different rules and regulations are in place to protect the staff and visitors to commercial premises against electrical hazards. Regular Electrical Maintenance is important to ensure systems are running efficiently and safely.
The running theme of all electrical regulations are summed up as follows:
Preserve the safety of persons and livestock against the effects of electric shock and burns, in accordance with Regulation 130-01; BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations
Protect against damage to property by fire and heat arising from a defect in the electrical installation or equipment.
Key points from the current United Kingdom Electrical Law, Regulations and Codes of Practice are detailed below.:
The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 puts a duty of care upon both employer (sections 2, 3 and 4 etc.) and employee (section 7) to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes the self-employed.
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state:
“Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of:
(a) the risks to health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and
(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking”. (Regulation 3 (1))
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 state:
“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.”
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 state:
“As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger”. (Regulation 4 (2))
“ ‘System’ means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment”. (Regulation 2 (1))c
“Electrical equipment includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy”. (Regulation 2 (1))
Unlike Gas Regulations, there is no legal document stating that electrical equipment must be PAT Tested. However, from the documents highlighted above, it is clear to see that companies have a legal duty to make sure that electrical items are ‘maintained so as to prevent danger’.
The accepted method for the Health & Safety Executive and Insurers is to ensure a regular programme of Portable Appliance Testing is in place to reduce risks.
Our engineers test a wide range of electrical equipment for businesses to help minimise the risk of accidents caused by the use of faulty appliances and extension leads.
The inspection and testing (PAT Testing) process includes:
There are complex regulations on testing, site tools and workshop equipment require regular tests due to the environment in which they are used, whilst most offices and factories tend to have their equipment tested once a year.
ESI Engineers are equipped to carry out electrical checks on all standard 240v equipment, 110v site tools, and 3-Phase (415v) machinery and hard-wired appliances like heaters and hand driers. All of our PAT Testing Engineers are qualified electricians, time served and City & Guilds Qualified to the latest standards.
Strict guidelines on testing intervals, test procedures and requirements of inspecting engineers are laid down in the IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (5th Edition). Our engineers are qualified and conversant with the regulations, to give you the best advice.
Speak with one of our team today for advice on how we can set up and run your workplace electrical safety programme, ensuring your business is kept safe and compliant.
Ensure your electrical appliances are safe, compliant, and fully operational.
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PAT Testing is an essential part of workplace electrical safety, ensuring that all portable electrical appliances are safe to use and compliant with UK regulations.
Whether you’re a business owner, landlord, or facilities manager, regular PAT Testing helps prevent electrical hazards, reduces the risk of fire, and ensures compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
In this section, we answer the most common questions about PAT Testing, including legal requirements, testing frequency, and what appliances need to be tested.
If you have any further queries, our team of qualified PAT Testing engineers is here to help.
PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing) is a process of inspecting and testing electrical appliances to ensure they are safe for use.
It helps identify potential hazards such as electrical shocks, overheating, and fire risks, ensuring compliance with UK workplace safety regulations.
There is no specific law that requires PAT Testing, but UK legislation, including the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, states that electrical equipment must be maintained in a safe condition.
PAT Testing is the most widely accepted method to prove compliance.
The business owner, employer, landlord, or building manager is legally responsible for ensuring that all electrical appliances are regularly tested and safe to use.
Failing to maintain electrical safety could lead to fines, legal action, or liability in the event of an accident.
The frequency of PAT Testing depends on the appliance type and the risk level of its environment.
General recommendations include:
A risk assessment can determine the exact testing schedule for your business.
PAT Testing applies to any electrical appliance, including:
If you’re unsure whether an appliance needs testing, our team can advise based on BS 7671 and IET Code of Practice guidelines.
A qualified PAT tester will:
If an appliance fails, you will be advised on repairs or replacements.
If your PAT Testing certificate expires, you may not be compliant with health and safety regulations.
This can put employees and customers at risk and invalidate your insurance.
Regular testing ensures continued compliance.
Businesses and landlords should keep a record of all PAT Testing, including:
These records prove compliance and may be required for insurance or legal inspections.
If an appliance fails, it must be:
🚫 Removed from use immediately
🔧 Repaired or replaced before use
📋 Re-tested to confirm safety
Our team will guide you on the best solution.
Faulty appliances are a major cause of electrical fires and injuries.
PAT Testing detects damaged cables, overheating, and faulty wiring, allowing issues to be fixed before they become a hazard.
PAT Testing is for portable appliances with a plug. For fixed appliances (wired into the mains, such as cookers and hand dryers), we offer Fixed Appliance Testing (FAT) to ensure safety and compliance.
Testing times vary depending on the number of appliances. On average:
We aim to minimise disruption to your business and will create a plan before starting testing.
Pricing depends on:
We offer competitive rates with discounts for multiple sites.
Get in touch for a free quote.
✔ Fully qualified PAT testers with industry certifications
✔ BS 7671 & IET Code of Practice compliant
✔ Minimal disruption to your business
✔ Detailed reporting & compliance certification
✔ Emergency & out-of-hours testing available
📞 Call us: 01276 300 351
📧 Email us: office@esielectrical.co.uk
📍 Serving businesses in Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire & Kent
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