PAT: build a maintenance plan, not just a sticker collection.

What the guidance actually says

HSE’s PAT FAQs explain that the law requires electrical equipment to be maintained to prevent danger; it does not impose a blanket annual portable appliance test. The appropriate inspection and testing frequency depends on the equipment and the environment in which it is used.

The same guidance stresses the value of visual examination. Some defects can be found visually and some require testing. A passing test does not make visual checks unnecessary. Testing must be carried out by someone competent for the task.

Start with the way equipment is used

Our recommendation is to group equipment in a way that reflects the business. A frequently moved item in a demanding environment should prompt different questions from equipment that stays in a clean, dry office. Think about who uses it, how damage is reported and what happens when a defect is found.

A useful equipment list is a working document. It should help someone identify the item, locate the result and understand what action is outstanding. When equipment moves between sites, the person receiving it needs enough information to manage it sensibly.

Make the results earn their keep

After a testing visit, review patterns. Are the same types of lead repeatedly damaged? Is equipment being pulled by its cable? Are defective items returning to use because nobody owns the repair decision? These are management questions that a label alone cannot answer.

Agree how defects will be isolated from use, who authorises repairs or replacement, and what evidence closes the action. Review the regime when use or conditions change. Customer contracts and insurers may ask for particular evidence; obtain their exact requirements instead of assuming one report meets every purpose.

A service shaped around the site

Harvtec provides scoped PAT and electrical inspection services in Cornwall. Share the postcode, premises, approximate equipment numbers, access constraints and timing. That gives the testing work a useful brief and makes it easier to plan the follow-up.