I've been delving into Portable appliance testing lately. Partly because we, like everyone, has to do it, but partly because I thought it could be a useful topic to find out a bit more and share with you the results of my digging. As we have recently taken on a range of PAT products and training course provision, I figured the best bet may be to ask some questions of the manufacturer, so I did that and all the questions and answers are below. The interviewee’s name is Karen Chelin, who is a product manager for PAT testing products and she certainly knows her stuff!
In the meantime, if you want to check out our selection of PAT products, just go here:
http://www.castlegroup.co.uk/portable-appliance-tester/view-all-products.html
For training courses, or if you would like us to come and do some testing for you, then give us a call on 01723584250.
Q. What’s the biggest issue for business wanting to get their PAT testing up to date?
A. Trying to get an electrician to come & carry out the PAT Testing at all can be a challenge in itself. Electricians are busy people & PAT Testing probably comes low down on their list of priorities.
Q. Do employers need to be formally qualified to carry out their own PAT testing?
A. No formal qualification is required. The Health & Safety Executive state " A competent person who has been given instruction" A practical based training course like the one run through Castle is a good idea. The delegates are assessed on the course & a Certificate of Achievement is awarded if successful.
Q. What size of business should consider conducting PAT testing in-house – is there a practical cut-off point?
A. Not really. All businesses who employ staff have to PAT Test. Both ourselves and Castle have PAT testers for rental as well as purchase, so doing it yourself can still be a cheaper option regardless of the size of business.
Q. Is there one thing that people always get wrong or mis-understand about PAT testing?
A. Yes. Its that a lot of people believe one has to be an electrician to PAT test when in fact you don't. Timescales are another area people often misunderstand as it’s not simply a case of testing everything every year!
Q. How often does testing have to be carried out?
A. Ah well. That's when the training comes in handy. Its is not every 12 months as some people believe. Sometimes appliances need testing more regularly & sometimes less regularly. It really depends on the environment the equipment is used & also the type & class of equipment as well. It really isn't as complex as it sounds.
Q. Is it simply a case of everything with a plug?
A. NO. The scope of equipment which needs testing is appliances that have a flexible lead & can be moved. Again the training will be helpful to assess what we can & cannot do.
Q. I’ve heard that PAT testing really doesn’t prove anything about electrical safety – is this true?
A. PAT Testing on it's own will not pick up every fault. The PAT machine does not have eyes. That's where we come in. A visual inspection is just as important as the actual PAT tests. We can check the outside of an appliance but the only way to check that all layers of safety are intact is by carrying out a PAT Test.
Q. Is there anything simple I can read to get me up to speed with more of the detail?
A. Yes there are a couple of publications from the HSE, which are detailed below. Otherwise, contact Castle, who will be able to advise you of the best way forward regarding products and training and they can access all the resources of us as the manufacturer.
Free booklet "Maintaining portable electrical equipment in offices and other low-risk environments". INDG236 from HSE Books.
Free booklet "Maintaining portable electrical equipment in hotels and tourist accommodation". INDG237 from HSE Books.
(HSE Books Tel: 01787 881165).
I hope that was useful. Dont’ forget that if you haven’t already, you should sign up to our mailing list where you’ll get a whole load more useful emails like this one with all sorts of health and safety information and guidance. I am also setting up a private area for anyone who is signed up to the list and it’ll be packed full of articles, fact sheets, FAQ and all sorts of valuable information. So get yourself signed up now by going here:
http://www.castlegroup.co.uk/component/option,com_chronocontact/chronoformname,mailing_list/
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
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