Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Awareness Training

Introduction

In today’s modern workplaces, electrical equipment is everywhere — from office computers to site machinery. To maintain a safe working environment, it’s vital that this equipment is regularly tested and properly maintained.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is a key process that ensures electrical appliances remain safe and functional, preventing accidents, fire risks, and equipment failure. This PAT Testing Awareness Course will help learners understand how to identify when equipment is due for testing, recognise the types of appliances that should be tested, and manage the associated documentation and responsibilities.

By the end of this course, employees will be better equipped to spot faulty or non-compliant equipment, know how to act if testing is overdue, and contribute to a safer workplace.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is designed for any employee who uses, handles, or oversees electrical equipment as part of their job, including:

Facilities and maintenance teams
Office managers and IT staff
Construction and engineering professionals
Health and safety representatives
Warehouse, retail, and manufacturing staff

It’s also ideal for anyone responsible for ensuring workplace safety or managing regular inspections of electrical items.

📌 No prior training is required. The course is written at an introductory level, though experience with electrical machinery or portable appliances may enhance understanding.

Course Objectives

By completing this training, learners will:

Understand the purpose and importance of PAT testing
Be able to identify different types of electrical appliances that require testing
Recognise when equipment is due for inspection or testing
Know what to do when an appliance is found to be faulty or ‘out of date’
Understand how PAT testing is documented and tracked
Contribute to maintaining electrical safety in the workplace

Course Content Overview (Videos)

Video 1: Introduction

⏱ Duration: 7 minutes 36 seconds

What PAT testing is and why it’s important
Overview of PAT testing frequency and responsibilities
Legal context and workplace implications

Video 2: Different Appliances to PAT Test

⏱ Duration: 8 minutes 43 seconds

Identifying appliances that need testing (Class I, II, and III)
Differences between fixed and portable items
Risks associated with common workplace equipment

Video 3: Documentation in PAT Testing

⏱ Duration: 5 minutes 28 seconds

Recording and labelling tested equipment
Understanding PAT test certificates and logs
Communicating test results and taking appropriate action

Assessment and Certification

Learners can complete a short quiz following the video content to check their understanding. Upon successful completion, they will receive a PAT Testing Awareness Certificate — ideal for compliance records and demonstrating competence in workplace safety.

Benefits of This Course

Promotes a culture of electrical safety and awareness
Helps organisations stay compliant with workplace regulations
Reduces the risk of fire, injury, or equipment failure
Provides clarity on responsibilities and documentation processes
Just over 21 minutes in total — suitable for all staff levels