Every year many accidents are reported at work involving electricity. Portable appliance testing (PAT) can help employers remain compliant and keep their workplaces safe.
Features
Don’t get your fingers burned
By
on 03 July 2019
Faulty electrics can cause damage to properties, severely injure people and, in some extreme cases, cause burns or explosions, which could prove fatal. Even non-fatal electric shocks could cause falls from ladders, scaffolds or other work platforms, which in turn could cause permanent injury.
Even those not regularly coming into contact with or working with electricity, such as those working in retail or offices, could be at risk. Poorly installed electrical cables, overloading sockets or damaged appliances could easily cause fire or explosion and potentially endanger whole businesses.
Most of these accidents however can be easily avoided through careful planning, risk assessment and the regular maintenance of electrical equipment and installations.
PAT testing, as it is known, ensures that the electrical appliances are safe for continued use. Photograph: Seaward
What the law says?
The law requires that all landlords, employers and even self-employed individuals make sure that their electrical appliances are safe, suitable and used for their intended purpose. The regulations related to this, including: The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, the Housing Act 2004 (England and Wales) and the Housing Act 2014 (Scotland).
Compliance
Portable appliance testing (PAT) has become a fundamental requirement for ensuring electrical safety in the workplace.
PAT testing is the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to see if maintenance is required and ensure they are safe for continued use. Many electrical safety defects can be found by visual examination, but some types of defect can only be found by carrying out testing.
Testing and maintenance
Any person carrying out electrical safety checks should be competent to do so with equipment that is fit for purpose and within calibration, to ensure the validity of the results obtained from the testing process etc.
If you have suitable resource and expertise within the company, you can carry out the PAT testing in house. However, if that’s not the case, it is worth employing a contractor to carry out the testing for you.
As with any contractor you employ, it is important to carry out checks on competence, risk assessments, insurances, method statements etc. ahead of commencing work.
Darren Bakewell is electrical safety expert and applications engineer at Seaward Electronic
FEATURES
Reducing lithium-ion battery fire risk in warehouses: new guidance points the way
By Ed Dolley, UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) on 13 November 2026
Lithium-ion batteries are arriving in warehouses in growing numbers – in tools, laptops, e-bikes, and consumer returns – but they can pose a significant fire risk if handled or stored incorrectly. To help warehouse operators manage the risk, the UK Warehousing Association has published new guidance setting out practical controls on safe storage, segregation, emergency planning and staff training.
The manager’s role in workplace transport safety during the Christmas rush
By Andy Cartwright, Mentor FLT Training on 13 November 2026
For most warehousing, distribution and retail businesses, the Christmas period sees increased use of material handling equipment, as goods handling surges to match customer demand. However, it’s vital that managers retain strict oversight of the safe operation of this type of mobile equipment to protect staff, customers and visiting delivery drivers from serious injury.
How fleets can reduce the risks posed by the Fatal Five
By Leo Taylor, Drivetech on 13 November 2026
The Fatal Five is a term used by police forces for the five factors that contribute most to deaths and serious injuries on UK roads. These behaviours pose a risk to all road users, including those who drive for work, so fleet managers must understand these key dangers and take steps to protect their drivers and vehicles.