PAT Testing Frequency
"How often is PAT testing required?" is one of the most searched safety questions in Ireland. The answer surprises people: it is risk based, not a fixed date.
There is no single legally fixed PAT testing interval in Ireland. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 require employers to keep electrical equipment safe and maintained. How often portable appliances are inspected and tested is risk based, determined by the type of equipment, its environment and how it is used. The HSA and the IET Code of Practice provide guidance on suitable intervals.
What drives the interval
Four factors determine how often a given appliance should be tested.
- 01
Equipment type
A handheld power tool on site needs far more frequent checks than an office PC.
- 02
Environment
Harsh, wet, dusty or construction environments increase the required frequency.
- 03
Use
Frequently moved or heavily used equipment is checked more often.
- 04
History
Previous faults raise the frequency for that item.
Do white goods need PAT testing?
Fixed or stationary appliances, including many white goods, are still work equipment that must be kept safe. They are typically inspected and tested on a risk basis, usually less frequently than portable handheld equipment. The duty is to keep them safe, not to hit a fixed date.
Learn the practical side on our PAT Testing .
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