Who need PAT Testing?

PAT Testing stands for Portable Appliance Testing, and is used by many organisations to make sure portable appliances are safe for use. All types of organisations, from businesses to educational institutions, public organisations, and many others, use PAT testing to test the safety of appliances.

SCHOOLS

In all schools, the safety of students is paramount. Some of the most highly PAT tested equipment across all industries is IT equipment, and this is no different in schools. Over the last decade it has become more and more important to have computers in schools, so this has increased the potential risks of computers to students, and therefore increased the necessity of PAT Testing. This applies just as much to colleges and universities.

LANDLORDS

Landlords widely use PAT testing to make sure equipment within their properties are safe. Ultimately landlords are responsible for the safety of their tenants. In most homes there are many portable appliances and landlords must make sure the ones in properties they rent out are safe. Most kitchens, for example, are full of portable appliances, with a fridge, freezer, oven and microwave. These should all be PAT tested. If televisions, radios, or an iron are provided by landlords then these also need to be maintained, although if these are bought in and are the property of the tenant, then landlords are not responsible for them. Computers owned by tenants are also their own responsibility. Other appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers that come with the property should also be PAT tested.

OFFICES

Computer equipment are essential items in the modern office, as are traditional appliances such as telephones. It is the responsibility of employers to provide safe, fit for purpose equipment. PAT testing is the best way to ensure that all this equipment is safe. There are many other appliances that offices may have but this will depend on the specific purpose of the office. If an office has a kitchen for the use of employees then this may contain a kettle or a microwave, which also need to be kept safe.

COUNCILS

Councils are responsible for the public’s safety within their boundaries. Therefore any council owned buildings that contain portable appliances should be PAT tested. One example of this is libraries. Almost all libraries now have computers and these will need to be tested. Council offices will also need to be tested even if the general public won’t be visiting them as people who work for the council must also be kept safe.

HOTELS

Any equipment in a hotel needs to be safe to use, whether used by the hotels staff of paying customers. Computers so visitors can use the internet are commonplace in hotels these days, as are computers at the reception desk and in the office. Rooms often have kettles so customers can make their own tea and coffee, and there is also kitchen equipment used to prepare meals for customers.

These are just some examples of organisations that can make use of PAT testing services. There are numerous others beside these.

Andrew Marshall (c)