Michael Kiddle
Michael Kiddle, GIFireE, is a nationally recognised leader in electrical and fire safety, dedicated to protecting lives both professionally and voluntarily. As Managing Director of Hawkesworth, he directs one of the UK’s leading compliance companies, safeguarding thousands of businesses each year. Through his voluntary Safe Home Initiative, Michael has identified and removed thousands of dangerous household appliances from the homes of vulnerable people—replacing each with a safe alternative free of charge. His work combines technical excellence with compassion, delivering safety, dignity, and peace of mind where it is needed most.
What Needs PAT Testing?
When tasked with organising your workplace’s electrical safety, the first question is always the most fundamental: what needs PAT testing? It’s easy to get lost in complex checklists and nuanced exceptions, but in doing so, you risk creating dangerous gaps in your safety procedures.
To eliminate this risk, our professional advice at Hawkesworth is simple, direct, and designed for maximum safety in the modern world.
Our recommendation is clear: every portable electrical appliance with a plug should be inspected and tested.
This straightforward, comprehensive policy removes all guesswork and ensures that every single piece of equipment your staff could potentially touch is verified as safe to use. This guide explains why we champion this all-encompassing approach and why, crucially, this must include brand-new items.
The New Reality: Why You Must Test Every Item
Years ago, it may have been reasonable to assume a new electrical item from a reputable supplier was inherently safe. Today, that assumption is no longer valid and carries significant risk. The realities of global manufacturing and counterfeit markets have changed the landscape of electrical safety.
The Hidden Dangers of New-Out-of-the-Box Equipment
The journey of an electrical appliance from factory to your workplace is long and complex. Even with products from well-known brands, cost pressures in global supply chains can lead to the use of substandard components. A weakness in a power cord or a poorly soldered connection inside the plug can create a hazard that is impossible to spot with the naked eye.
The Rise of Counterfeit Electricals
The market for counterfeit electrical goods is a multi-billion-pound industry. These items are often visually indistinguishable from genuine products, mimicking logos and packaging perfectly. However, internally, they are a fire risk masquerading as a bargain. They routinely fail to meet basic UK safety standards, often featuring:
- Incorrectly rated or fake fuses.
- Insufficient insulation, leading to overheating.
- Poorly secured wiring that can come loose.
- A lack of proper earthing, creating a serious risk of electric shock.
Damage in Transit: The Unseen Risk
Even a perfectly manufactured, genuine product can be rendered unsafe before it ever reaches you. A single, heavy drop in a warehouse or during delivery can crack a circuit board, dislodge internal wiring, or compromise the appliance’s casing. This unseen damage can create an immediate hazard the moment it is plugged in.
For these reasons, the only way to be 100% certain that any appliance (new or old) is safe for your staff to use is to have it professionally inspected and tested.
Ready to ensure every appliance in your workplace is safe and compliant? Get a fast, free quote from our expert team today.
In an era of complex supply chains and sophisticated counterfeit goods, the old way of thinking is no longer enough. A simple, comprehensive policy of testing every appliance with a plug is the only professional approach to guarantee the electrical safety of your workplace.
A Systematic Guide to Identifying Your Appliances
Forget a simple checklist. The most effective way to ensure full coverage is to perform a methodical walk-through of your premises, department by department, considering how your team works.
The Modern Office & Desk Environment
Look beyond the PC on the desk. A typical workstation is a hub of electrical activity. You must account for the PC tower, the monitor(s), the laptop and its charger, the desk phone transformer, any desk lamps or fans, and crucially, the multi-way extension lead that often powers the entire setup. Each of these items requires a test.
High-Traffic Zones: Kitchens & Breakrooms
These are high-priority areas. The combination of high-powered heating elements, frequent use, and the proximity to water makes kitchen appliances a significant risk. This includes kettles, coffee machines, microwaves, toasters, and refrigerators.
The Often-Overlooked Support Equipment
Think about the equipment that supports your daily operations. This includes the large office photocopier and printers, laminators, shredders, and the vacuum cleaner used by your cleaning staff. Their portability and frequent use are their biggest risk factors.
Clarifying The Boundaries: Fixed Appliances & Your Infrastructure
It’s important to understand what a PAT test covers and what it doesn’t.
- Portable and Movable Appliances: A PAT test covers everything with a plug that can be moved.
- Fixed Appliances: Items that are wired directly into the building’s electrical system, like a wall-mounted hand dryer or a storage heater, are not part of a standard PAT test. They still require regular inspection, but this falls under “fixed appliance testing”.
- The Building’s Wiring: The safety of the sockets, the wiring within the walls, and your fuse boards are checked during an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This is a separate, vital inspection that checks the health of your building’s core electrical infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While major retailers have processes to ensure the products they sell are genuine, they cannot guarantee against manufacturing defects or damage that occurs anywhere along the complex global supply chain. A professional test is the only way to be 100% certain that specific item is safe at the point of use in your business.
Yes, it absolutely still needs testing. While Class II items don’t have an earth connection to test, the “insulation resistance test” performed by the PAT machine is critical. It verifies that the two layers of insulation have not been compromised, which would expose live parts and create a severe shock risk.
Yes. Chargers, especially non-branded or counterfeit models that staff might bring in, are one of the most common causes of workplace electrical fires. Their small size belies their significant risk. Including them in your testing regime is a simple and vital safety measure.
This is a common concern, but professional testing is designed to be highly efficient. Our engineers are trained to work methodically and liaise with your staff to minimise disruption. They can test dozens of standard office items per hour, often labelling them in situ, meaning your team can continue their work with very little interruption.
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Contact us today to find out about our competitive PAT testing rates, and how you can keep your electrical equipment safe.
Got a question about PAT testing? Check out our guide
