You aren’t legally required to carry out PAT testing yourself, but the law does require that all electrical equipment is safe to use.
Legal Context
Even though PAT testing itself is not mandatory, several laws make electrical safety a legal responsibility for businesses:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – Employers must ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees, including keeping electrical equipment safe.
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 – Electrical systems and equipment must be maintained to prevent danger.
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 – All equipment provided for work must be safe and properly maintained.
Key takeaway: PAT testing is a practical way to comply with these laws and demonstrate that you are meeting your legal obligations.
What Businesses Can Do Internally
- Carry out regular visual checks – inspect power cables, plugs, chargers, laptops, phone chargers, extension leads, and multi-socket adapters for fraying, damage, exposed wires, or other signs of wear.
- Check extension leads and multi-socket adapters carefully – these frequently fail visual inspections.
- Encourage staff to report issues – any signs of damage or unusual behavior should be flagged.
- Ensure staff are trained to use high-power or special equipment safely.
- Avoid cheap or low-quality imported chargers, which can overheat or fail.
Most issues we find during PAT inspections are identified during these visual checks, so staying vigilant helps prevent bigger problems.
A Special Note for Kitchens
In high-use areas like kitchens, there are often never enough sockets. We frequently see multiple kettles or high-powered appliances plugged into multi-way extensions, which can overload circuits.
- Always plug kettles and other high-power appliances directly into their own dedicated socket.
- Avoid using multi-way extensions for high-power appliances.
How We Work
When we carry out PAT testing, we take a thorough, hands-on approach:
- Visual Inspection – We closely analyse power cables, chargers, and devices, checking plugs are wired correctly and identifying any signs of damage or risk.
- Electrical Testing – Using a specialist testing device, we check the parts of appliances that are not visible, ensuring everything is safe and compliant.
- Reporting and Logging – We keep detailed logs of all appliances tested and provide a PAT certificate for your records.
- Proactive Notification – If we find any faulty or risky equipment, we notify you immediately so corrective action can be taken.
Why Hire Us
- We provide all necessary equipment, so there’s no investment required on your part.
- We are highly trained and fully insured, giving you peace of mind.
- We are independent—we don’t sell equipment or provide installation—so our advice is transparent and impartial.
- While we are not electricians, we have extensive experience identifying faulty equipment and ensuring appliances are safe and compliant.
Tip
Combining staff visual checks with professional PAT testing is the safest and most effective way to manage your electrical equipment.
Contact Us
Let us handle the testing, certification, and record-keeping—while ensuring your staff are aware of their responsibilities—so your business stays safe, compliant, and worry-free.