PAT testing questions

barrymung

ckerrd wrote: »

It is a requirement for electrical equipment but many companies don't seem to bother.

It is a requirement to ensure items are SAFE. This does not, necessarily, mean that items have to be PAT tested.

ckerrd

It is a requirement to ensure items are SAFE. This does not, necessarily, mean that items have to be PAT tested.

True indeed, however a PAT regime is an excellent way of ensuring compliance.

linfield

I've just started work as a PAT tester for a large company. Never done anything like it before.
Had half a days training and was sent out with a machine.
Once I got used to it, it was very easy.
The machine does it all for you. Don't know how much the machines cost though.

save-a-lot

linfield wrote: »

I've just started work as a PAT tester for a large company. Never done anything like it before.
Had half a days training and was sent out with a machine.
Once I got used to it, it was very easy.
The machine does it all for you. Don't know how much the machines cost though.

Hi

What machine are you using?? I am thinking of getting a hand portable one from the Seaward Primetest range. The testers are quite expensive, have to be calibrated annually and the optional software is also expensive. So, in order to achieve a break even figure I would have to do a fair few jobs. The intention I have is to only do this as a part-time earner... the intent is not to give up the day job, so the break even date could be months after making the purchase, but I suppose every business has to get over that hurdle.

Savvy_Sue

save-a-lot wrote: »

The testers are quite expensive, have to be calibrated annually and the optional software is also expensive.

Yup, one of my colleagues came back from external H&S training enthusing about how easy it would be to do our own PATs. I looked into the cost of a machine, and the need for annual calibration, and thought "Nope, we're going to outsource this!"

Because the other thing about getting someone in from outside is that you set a date, that person comes in, and they do the job. Whereas if it's another thing I've got to do, we set a date, there's a crisis that day, and BANG! Job NOT done! :rotfl:

missile

PAT testing is money for old rope. I would suggest you check what rate a.n.others are charging in your area. £1.50 per item may not sound a lot but even a small company will have many items.

The software is a rip off. You could easily set up a database on an XL spread sheet.

If you have not already done it, join your local Chamber of Commerce and NEBOSH groups. These are invaluble for networking contacts.

Check your contract, current employer may not be happy if he finds you are moonlighting.

missile

Make sure you set up a limited company with Public Insurance Liabilty. If one of the items you check for £1.50 subsequently electrocutes someone you could be in deep s**t

barrymung

ckerrd wrote: »

It is a requirement to ensure items are SAFE. This does not, necessarily, mean that items have to be PAT tested.

True indeed, however a PAT regime is an excellent way of ensuring compliance.

Yes, indeedy.

save-a-lot

missile wrote: »

Check your contract, current employer may not be happy if he finds you are moonlighting.

The main employer (the day job) will not find out
Seriously though, there is no conflict of interest between day-job and the prospective additional p/t business. It will remain as p/t as family and work commitments dictate, so I guess I would do 1 (maybe 2) evenings in the week and weekends as required PAT testing. So not a massive drain on me, work or the family.

Snow_Dog

Good luck, its something I looked at about 4 years ago. Its a very feasable idea and one which you can build up over time.

Insurance is the most important thing really, you have the rest, being trained you are deemed competent so there's no issues there. For insurance try a broker that is used to dealing with the building trade, ie inc. sparkies. Brokers are good because you can explain the sitauation and they have the knowledge as to which is the best insurer to go to.

The equipment does not necessarily have to be expensive, i've seen basic meter type testers on ebay for less than £100. One or two office and thats paid for.

The Seaward Supernova units are quite good and you can link them up to printers for automatic labels and so on.

As for how much to charge - if someone is doing PAT testing for 50p an item they are not doing the job properly.

Realistically you should really be looking at £1.50 min to be able to spend enough time doing the job right, and advertise as such. Tell people they can pay 50p for someone to stick labels on things but when it comes to the HSE investigation they might as well not have bothered and saved their 50p's for the legal costs.

Also you need to work out a remedial work rate, we have used a set table of charges, eg, new plug fitted £3, replacement with correct fuse value £1 and so on.

You may also need to consider accessability. In a office its nice and easy to get to most things, and you may have 50 items in a small office, whoopie a couple of evenings work.

But what happens when (as barrymung suggested) you get a deal with a holiday camp, most of your time will be spent traipsing your kit round the caravans/lodges.

Good luck anyway, I think its a good setup as a sideline (think you would be hardpressed to make it a full time job though - unless you get some really good contracts - eg local nhs).