PAT Testing, Repair and Maintenance
You will find PAT testing guidance, our policy template and other useful downloads.
PAT testing is an essential part of making sure electrical items are safe for borrowers and mitigating risks in the borrower process. We mention this in the Managing Your Items chapter.
Benthyg Cymru have recently updated the guidance around PAT testing. The update to the template policy reflects the recommendation to PAT test ALL electrical items after every return so they can be checked safely by staff and volunteers and that they are working correctly and safely for the next borrower. (The previous reccomendation was every time for higher risk items i.e. those that use water as part as their functionality.)
Where items are not going out frequently ensure that they are PAT tested every 6 months as part of your maintenance plan.
Any electrical items that have undergone repair or are have been recently donated must also undergo PAT testing as part of the item check process prior to going back into inventory.
Borrowing platforms have dedicated areas on the item page where you can add information about PAT testing and maintenence- please see both the policy template and the digital recording checklist which will help you with managing the process.
Its important for all your staff and volunteers to understand the policy and the process, whether or not they are conducting the PAT testing.
PAT testing must be carried out by someone who is a certified PAT tester.
PAT Test certification training is available through may different routes but its worth checking with your insurance company first to see if they accept only specific courses/ providers.
There are online courses that are available on demand, online live courses that are usually around 5- 6 hours or there are in person PAT testing courses, that are usually organised as a group booking.
Contact your local development officer as they may be aware of local provisions in your region, we would also suggest contacting your local Repair Cafe, who can share their experience and may be able to help with PAT testing.
Please get in touch with the development team if you have any further questions around PAT Testing.
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