Affects of Unethical PAT Testing

Within the PAT testing industry there have been suggestions that some have been selling extremely cheap PAT testing services. The reason why they are allegedly able to do this is because they are not actually testing items, but rather putting pass stickers straight onto them. If this is true, they are able to perform the job much quicker, and therefore charge clients a much lower rate. PAT Testing Companies often charge a certain price to test a set number of appliances. Carrying out genuine tests on every item takes time, but if this is not happening and stickers are simply being placed onto items this is obviously less time consuming. If this is indeed happening, there are many problematic knock on effects.

For obvious reasons some clients are more likely to user cheaper PAT testing companies. For one they may not know the difference in the quality of the service they are receiving. If you think you are getting the same service for less, you are going to go with the cheaper option every time. If there are companies who are aware that their appliances are not being tested properly many will not use them as it is unethical, and potentially dangerous. Some though, still will as they are saving money. Not just on the PAT tests either, but they won’t have to fix or replace items that have failed.

If this is happening, and the more it happens, the bigger effect it will have on the PAT testing industry. It will bring down the price, not only for companies who operate in this way but also those who don’t, as they will struggle to compete otherwise. Like any industry, if some companies’ prices fall then others will have to follow suit to be able to complete. This could result in some companies struggling to survive.

The potential wider problems would be that other companies could end up resorting to the same practices. They would be forced to testing the same number of items for the same price as their competitors and therefore may be unable to continue testing properly. The professionalism of the entire industry could go downhill.

It should be remembered that there is no evidence that such practices are taking place, but if they are it could spell major problems in terms of both safety and the PAT testing industry. If items are not tested the inevitable result will be that unsafe appliances will be in use, which poses a health and safety risk. And if prices are coming down because of such practices PAT testing companies may fail and people will lose they jobs. It would affect both those who work within the industry as well as the wider public.

Andrew Marshall (c)