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PAT Testing & Portable Appliance Testing Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your PAT testing work — client premises, testing volume, equipment used, lone working. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment covering live equipment testing, calibration and site-specific hazards in minutes.
Used by self-employed PAT testers, electrical contractors and facilities management companies across the UK
🔌 Testing on unfamiliar client premises? Mention it — we'll include lone working controls, site induction checks and precautions for handling appliances with unknown fault history.
Legal requirements for PAT testers
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that electrical systems and equipment are maintained to prevent danger. Portable appliance testing is the widely recognised method of demonstrating this duty for portable electrical equipment used in workplaces, though the regulations do not prescribe a fixed testing frequency — this is a risk-based judgement.
Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every self-employed PAT tester and every employer of testers must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to themselves and others arising from their work. For PAT testers, this means documenting the risk of electric shock from live testing, exposure to faulty equipment, and the varied hazards found across different client sites — offices, workshops, warehouses and industrial units.
Testers should follow the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, which sets out combined inspection and test procedures, pass/fail criteria and recommended intervals based on equipment type and environment. A written risk assessment, alongside evidence of tester competence and calibrated equipment, is what clients, letting agents and the HSE expect to see.
How it works
1. Describe the work
Tell us the type of premises you test in, the volume and type of appliances, whether you work alone, and the equipment you use. Mention lone working and we'll include site check-in controls.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant PAT testing risk assessment referencing the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the IET Code of Practice.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. Hand it to your client, keep it on file for audits, or attach it to your testing certificates. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every PAT testing risk assessment is written in full — covering all hazards relevant to your work.
Electric shock risk from testing live equipment
Working on unfamiliar client premises and installations
Test equipment calibration and verification requirements
Identifying and isolating faulty or damaged appliances
Lone working across multiple client sites
Manual handling of test kits and access equipment
Working near occupied desks, kitchens and public areas
COSHH — cleaning fluids and dust in test environments
Slips, trips and falls from trailing leads and access routes
Working at height for wall-mounted or ceiling equipment
Fire risk from faulty appliances identified during testing
Vehicle and travel risk between client sites
Works for
From office bulk testing to warehouse equipment inspections, Anyrisks covers every type of PAT testing work.
What customers say
"I test appliances at a different client site nearly every day. Anyrisks gave me a document that actually reflects that instead of a generic electrician template."
Dave R.
Self-employed PAT tester, Yorkshire
"We manage testing for dozens of rental properties. Letting agents now expect a written risk assessment alongside the certificate, and this covers exactly what we need."
Linda M.
Landlord compliance services, Manchester
"Testing appliances alone in empty offices out of hours was flagged by a client's health and safety team. This gave me the lone working controls I needed in writing."
Craig B.
Portable appliance tester, Glasgow
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| IET Code of Practice testing intervals reflected | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers testing across varied client premises | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lone working controls included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Test equipment calibration requirements included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do I legally need a risk assessment to carry out PAT testing?
Yes. Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), every self-employed person and employer must assess the risks of their work activity. PAT testing involves handling live equipment and working in unfamiliar client premises, so a written risk assessment is expected by letting agents, facilities managers and the HSE.
What regulations apply specifically to PAT testing?
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that electrical equipment is maintained to prevent danger, and PAT testing is one of the recognised ways of demonstrating this. Testers must also follow the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, which sets out test methods, intervals and pass/fail criteria.
Does the assessment cover the risk of testing faulty or damaged appliances?
Yes — the assessment covers the risk of electric shock, fire or arc flash from testing appliances with hidden faults, damaged cables or incorrect earthing, and sets out the precautions needed before applying test voltages, including visual inspection first.
Can it cover working across multiple client sites in one day?
Yes — describe your typical working pattern (multiple sites, varied premises, lone working) and the assessment will include site-specific hazards such as unfamiliar electrical installations, access to fuse boards, and lone working controls.
Does it address calibration of my PAT testing equipment?
Yes — the assessment includes the requirement to keep test instruments calibrated and verified before use, since testing with an out-of-calibration tester can give a false pass and expose both the tester and end users to risk.
Is manual handling included for testers carrying equipment between sites?
Yes — manual handling of test kits, extension leads and access equipment between vehicles and client premises is covered, along with safe carrying and storage practices.
How is this different from an electrician's general risk assessment?
PAT testing has its own distinct hazard profile — repeated live testing of portable equipment, working in offices, kitchens, workshops and warehouses rather than fixed installation work, and frequent travel between unfamiliar sites. This assessment is written specifically around those risks rather than fixed wiring or installation work.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your PAT testing work — client types, testing volume, equipment used — and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced risk assessment instantly.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment? · Risk assessment legal requirements · Risk assessment generator