Businesses often assume that every new appliance needs a PAT test before it can be used. HSE guidance says this is not normally necessary.
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Does brand-new equipment need a formal PAT test?
HSE states that new equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and should not normally require a formal portable appliance inspection or test before first use.
Should anything be checked?
Yes. A simple visual check is recommended to confirm that the item has not been damaged in manufacture, storage, transport or unpacking.
What should the visual check look for?
- Damage to the plug or pins
- Cuts, crushing or damage to the cable
- Damage to the appliance casing
- Loose parts or signs of impact
- Anything suggesting the equipment has been supplied in poor condition
When should new equipment enter the maintenance programme?
Once the equipment is in normal use, its future checks should be based on risk. Equipment that is moved frequently or used in harsher environments may require closer attention than stationary equipment in a low-risk office.
What about second-hand or repaired equipment?
Second-hand equipment and equipment that has been repaired can present a different situation because its condition or repair history may need verification before it is put into service. The appropriate inspection should reflect the circumstances.
Recording new equipment
Even when a new item does not need a formal test before first use, adding it to the organisation’s equipment inventory can make future maintenance easier. Recording the purchase or first-use date, location and equipment type gives the dutyholder a useful starting point for deciding when later inspection may be appropriate.
Official HSE guidance
HSE answers this question directly in its portable appliance testing FAQ.
Need help managing new and existing equipment?
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