How often should equipment be PAT tested?
How often should equipment be PAT tested?
Catering equipment is often tested for compliance with safety standards, including PAT testing. This article discusses how often equipment should be PAT tested to comply with the latest legislation and regulations.
When it comes to your kitchen’s catering equipment, we are well aware it needs to be suitably cleaned, tested and maintained. A major part of this is to comply with the latest legislation and regulations.
PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) in particular has become a key requirement for many catering companies, so how often does your catering equipment need to be PAT tested?
The answer depends upon your catering company size, type and location as well as which standards you are looking to comply with.
Appliances should be PAT tested every 12 months, or more often depending on the frequency of use. Equipment like microwaves, toasters, hand-held mixers, and electric carving knives require PAT testing.
How Is PAT Testing Carried Out?
Portable appliance testing is carried out by a specialist technician who will take the appliance to pieces and test it for safety. They are also required to check that the device works correctly before they sign off on its safety.
The testing is designed so that when an item of electrical equipment fails, it can be taken away from use as soon as possible in order to prevent any harm coming to the user.
A Pat test is designed to ensure all electrical appliances are safe to use in the workplace, and is a requirement of government regulations.
Is annual PAT testing a legal requirement?
Currently there is no legal requirement for PAT testing, but there is a government regulation to maintain proper maintenance of electrical appliances. Regulations to be compliant with include:
- Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974
- The Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999
For non-compliance of these regulations, you could be liable to receive a hefty fine and in some cases imprisonment for several months. The law requires employers to ensure that all electrical equipment they provide in their business is safe and properly maintained. This means that PAT testing is an important part of a company’s health and safety, just as it should be considered part of a solution for any safety concerns you may have.
CPS Gas have a team of commercial catering engineers who can carry out PAT testing inspection for all your commercial catering equipment. Our team will make sure that your electrical equipment is safe and fully operational, fitted with the correct certificates.
If you would like to find out more about PAT testing or any of our other services please do not hesitate to get in contact on 0800 211 8082 or email us at graham@cpsgas.com.
