Electrical Safety - Portable Appliances (PAT) Audit - Care Homes

Q1 | Unanswered

Is there a current Electrical Safety / Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) policy that defines responsibilities, scope, frequencies, and actions?

Q2 | Unanswered

Is there a named competent person responsible for electrical safety compliance (e.g., maintenance lead/facilities manager/registered manager)?

Q3 | Unanswered

Is there an up-to-date register of all portable electrical appliances on site (including resident-owned items where applicable)?

Q4 | Unanswered

Are PAT testing schedules based on risk (environment, appliance type, frequency of use) rather than arbitrary annual-only cycles?

Q5 | Unanswered

Are electrical safety arrangements monitored through governance (quality meetings/audit cycle) with actions tracked to completion?

Q6 | Unanswered

Are contractors providing PAT services vetted for competence/qualifications and insured, with clear scope agreed?

Q7 | Unanswered

Does the appliance register cover all areas (bedrooms, lounges, offices, kitchens, laundry, maintenance rooms, staff areas)?

Q8 | Unanswered

Are high-risk appliances included (kettles, microwaves, heaters, hoists, chargers, extension leads, fans, TVs, laptops, vacuum cleaners)?

Q9 | Unanswered

Are medical/clinical electrical devices managed under an appropriate maintenance regime (e.g., serviced/calibrated where required) and clearly separated from PAT-only items?

Q10 | Unanswered

Are rechargeable devices and chargers included in checks where they present risk (overheating, damaged cables, counterfeit chargers)?

Q11 | Unanswered

Are resident-owned appliances assessed before first use and then rechecked at an agreed frequency (with consent and clear records)?

Q12 | Unanswered

Is there a clear process for dealing with new appliances brought in (purchase, donations, resident items) before they are used?

Q13 | Unanswered

Are routine visual checks carried out by staff (or maintenance) between PAT tests, with findings recorded where required?

Q14 | Unanswered

Are plugs, cables, and casings free from damage (fraying, exposed wires, bent pins, scorch marks, loose connections)?

Q15 | Unanswered

Are appliances positioned safely (not near water sources unless designed for it, not blocking ventilation, not causing trip hazards)?

Q16 | Unanswered

Are extension leads and multiway adaptors used safely (not overloaded, not daisy-chained, positioned to avoid trips)?

Q17 | Unanswered

Are portable heaters risk-assessed and used in line with policy (clearance from bedding/curtains, stable placement, supervision where needed)?

Q18 | Unanswered

Are charging devices used safely (no charging under pillows/bedding, adequate ventilation, avoid counterfeit/incorrect chargers)?

Q19 | Unanswered

Are defects reported promptly and removed from service immediately (tagged ‘DO NOT USE’ and isolated)?

Q20 | Unanswered

Are PAT tests completed at the planned frequency with minimal overdue items, and is this evidenced in records?

Q21 | Unanswered

Do PAT labels clearly show test date, next test due date, and a unique asset ID linked to the register?

Q22 | Unanswered

Are test results recorded for each item (pass/fail, readings where applicable) and retained for an appropriate period?

Q23 | Unanswered

Are failed items quarantined and either repaired by a competent person or disposed of safely, with records updated?

Q24 | Unanswered

Are repaired items re-tested before return to service, with documentation retained?

Q25 | Unanswered

Is there evidence that the PAT provider uses calibrated equipment and follows a recognised testing methodology?

Q26 | Unanswered

Are appliances that are ‘Class I’ (earthed) and ‘Class II’ (double insulated) correctly identified and tested accordingly?

Q27 | Unanswered

Are detachable leads (e.g., IEC/kettle leads) tested/checked as part of the appliance set, not ignored?

Q28 | Unanswered

Are kitchen appliances tested at higher frequency where risk is increased (heat, water, heavy use)?

Q29 | Unanswered

Are laundry appliances and equipment included (irons, steamers, dryers, washing machines where portable components exist, extension leads)?

Q30 | Unanswered

Are any portable electrical items used near water managed with specific controls (RCD protection, suitability, positioning, supervision)?

Q31 | Unanswered

Are cleaning/maintenance tools included and controlled (power tools, portable work lights, chargers, extension reels)?

Q32 | Unanswered

Are hoist chargers and powered mobility aids (where portable) included in the register and checked appropriately?

Q33 | Unanswered

Are RCDs used where required (portable RCDs for higher-risk equipment) and are they tested periodically (push-test) with records?

Q34 | Unanswered

Are extension leads appropriate for the load and environment (rated, undamaged, unwound from reels when in use)?

Q35 | Unanswered

Are adaptors and power strips of good quality and not overloaded (no signs of overheating or damage)?

Q36 | Unanswered

Are cables managed to prevent trip hazards and damage (no cable runs under rugs/doorways without protection)?

Q37 | Unanswered

Do staff know how to identify basic electrical hazards and the immediate steps to take (isolate, report, label)?

Q38 | Unanswered

Is there a clear reporting route for electrical defects (maintenance log system) and are response times appropriate?

Q39 | Unanswered

Are agency/new staff briefed on electrical safety basics (no personal heaters unless approved, safe charging, defect reporting)?

Q40 | Unanswered

Are common electrical fire risks controlled (overloaded sockets, unsafe heaters, damaged chargers, trailing leads)?

Q41 | Unanswered

Are appliances that generate heat (heaters, hairdryers, straighteners) controlled with safe storage and supervision rules?

Q42 | Unanswered

Are ignition sources kept away from oxygen therapy use, with clear restrictions and signage where relevant?

Q43 | Unanswered

Are appliances purchased from reputable suppliers and fit for purpose for a care environment (durable, safe, compliant)?

Q44 | Unanswered

Is there a process to decommission and dispose of unsafe appliances securely (WEEE compliance where relevant)?

Q45 | Unanswered

Are donated appliances risk-assessed and PAT tested before use, with clear acceptance criteria?

Q46 | Unanswered

Are counterfeit or non-compliant chargers/cables prevented from use (resident education, staff checks, safer alternatives)?

Q47 | Unanswered

Can the provider produce the current PAT register showing asset IDs, locations, last test date, and next due date?

Q48 | Unanswered

Can staff demonstrate how a faulty appliance is isolated and reported (including ‘DO NOT USE’ tagging)?

Q49 | Unanswered

Are there examples of recent PAT failures and evidence of actions taken (repair/disposal/re-test) and register updates?

Q50 | Unanswered

Are there any overdue PAT items, and if so, is there a documented risk assessment and plan to complete testing promptly?