PAT Testing isn’t just for businesses and large companies.
Recently, I attended a charity auction and summer fete in our village hall. Lots of well-meaning people gathered together to man stalls to raise money for local charities and good causes, several had portable lights and a variety of extension leads were evident under tables and covered by tape and mats. I’m sure that the organisers had made every effort to comply with the Health and Safety Regulations to ensure the well-being of all who took part or attended the event. However, I was aware that several of the plugs and extension leads used by stall holders and exhibitors did not bear the tell-tale evidence of a PAT Testing label.
Portable Appliance Testing isn’t just for businesses and large companies; in addition it is a fundamental requirement of most insurance policies where the public could be put at risk. So whether you are a mobile hairdresser, gardener, locksmith, handyman, DJ or self-employed builder you need to comply with the regulations.
The Health & Safety Executive states that 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances.
PAT Testing is the common terminology. The correct term is "inspection and testing of in-service electrical equipment" – so in fact it's not just portable equipment any more but any electrical equipment.
The level of inspection and testing required is dependent upon the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which in turn is dependent upon;
- The type of appliance,
- The nature of its use
- The environment in which it is used.
For example a mobile hairdresser could use many electrical items hairdryers, curling tongs, hair straighteners and shavers to name but a few and it would be advisable for them to check what their insurance requirements are for PAT testing.
Incidentally mobile hairdressers are not classed as ‘low risk’ like an office, they are high risk as their equipment has the potential to become dangerous as it can easily get wet and easily get damaged.
All electrical items have the ability to short fuse, overheat and in the worst case scenario, spark or cause a fire. The last thing any independent hairdresser or indeed any other trader who offers services in people’s homes wants is to go to a client’s home and find themselves in a situation where they could potentially be causing harm; not just to a person, but also their home.
Ensuring each item is regularly PAT tested and keeping a log of this makes for good business practice. The benefits far outweigh the cost.