Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the in-service inspection and electrical testing of portable electrical equipment and associated leads or chargers. Its purpose is to help confirm that equipment remains safe for continued use in the workplace.
Overview
PAT is a preventative activity. It focuses on identifying damage, deterioration, or misuse that could lead to electric shock, burns, or fire if left unmanaged. Defects identified during inspection or testing are recorded so that dutyholders can take proportionate action.
PAT is not a fixed legal requirement carried out at prescribed intervals. Instead, it is one method organisations may use to support their wider duty to maintain electrical equipment in a safe condition. A risk-based approach is central, taking account of the type of equipment, how it is used, and the environment it operates in.
LCM Environmental provides Portable Appliance Testing as part of its electrical testing and safety services, supporting organisations in managing electrical risk without overstating obligations or outcomes.
Why Portable Appliance Testing Matters
Portable electrical equipment is frequently moved, handled, and connected to power supplies. Over time, this can increase the likelihood of damage to plugs, cables, and internal components.
Where issues go unnoticed, the consequences may include electric shock, localised overheating, or increased fire risk. These events can disrupt operations, harm staff or visitors, and raise questions about how electrical safety is being managed.
Portable Appliance Testing supports dutyholders by providing a structured way to identify issues early and maintain visibility of equipment condition. When applied proportionately, it can help demonstrate that electrical risks are being considered, assessed, and managed in line with recognised UK health and safety guidance.
Confirmation of scope
and an agreed approach to equipment identification
A risk-informed inspection
and testing plan rather than a fixed “one-size-fits-all” frequency
Formal visual inspections
of plugs, cables, strain relief, casings, and signs of damage or overheating
Electrical testing
appropriate to the equipment class, condition, and risk profile
Identification of pass or fail status
with defects recorded for client review
Compliance & Best-Practice Context
LCM’s approach to Portable Appliance Testing reflects recognised UK health and safety guidance on maintaining portable electrical equipment.
This includes consideration of:
• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which place a duty on employers and dutyholders to maintain electrical systems so far as reasonably practicable.
• Health and Safety Executive guidance on the maintenance of portable electrical equipment, such as HSG107.
PAT is applied as a risk-based, proportionate control measure. It is not positioned as a substitute for fixed installation testing, nor as evidence of compliance in isolation.
Equipment & Environments
Portable Appliance Testing commonly includes movable or hand-held electrical equipment found in many workplaces, such as:
• IT and office equipment.
• Kitchen and welfare appliances.
• Portable tools.
• Extension leads and chargers.
Testing is typically carried out in offices, commercial buildings, and light industrial environments. Where access constraints or site controls apply, scope and method are agreed in advance.
Planned vs Reactive Use
Planned use
PAT is often used as part of planned maintenance to support ongoing electrical safety management. In this context, it helps organisations maintain oversight of equipment condition over time.
Reactive use
It may also be used reactively following changes in use, incidents, or identification of damaged equipment. In all cases, decisions on testing and follow-up actions remain risk-based and site-specific.
Related services
What happens next?
If you are considering Portable Appliance Testing, the next step is a discussion around scope, site access, and how testing can be aligned with your existing risk management arrangements. LCM Environmental will work with you to agree a proportionate approach that reflects equipment use, site conditions, and operational requirements.
