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

Evidence to check

• • Current electrical safety or PAT policy is available and reviewed
• • Policy explains who is responsible for checks, testing, reporting defects and removing unsafe items
• • Policy covers provider-owned, staff-used, contractor-used and resident-owned portable appliances
• • Staff can explain the basic process for reporting electrical hazards

Evidence to check

• • Named maintenance lead, facilities manager, registered manager or responsible person is documented
• • Role includes appliance register, PAT schedule, contractor liaison, defect follow-up and governance reporting
• • Deputy arrangements are in place
• • Responsible person can explain current PAT status, overdue items and recent failures

Evidence to check

• • Appliance register includes asset ID, location, appliance type, owner, last test date and next review date
• • Resident-owned items are included where policy requires checks
• • Register matches items found during a walkaround
• • New, removed, failed or disposed items are updated promptly

Evidence to check

• • Testing frequency considers appliance type, location, use, movement, age and environment
• • High-risk areas such as kitchens, laundry and maintenance areas are reviewed more closely
• • Low-risk items are not over-tested without reason
• • Risk-based rationale is documented and reviewed

Evidence to check

• • Electrical safety or PAT findings are included in health and safety, maintenance or quality meetings
• • Actions have owners, deadlines and completion evidence
• • Overdue PAT items or repeated defects are escalated
• • Electrical safety risks are added to the risk register where appropriate

Evidence to check

• • Contractor competence, qualification or experience evidence is retained
• • Insurance and service agreement are current
• • Scope of testing is clear, including resident-owned items if included
• • Contractor reports are reviewed by the responsible person

Evidence to check

• • Register includes bedrooms, lounges, dining rooms, offices, kitchens, laundry, maintenance rooms and staff areas
• • Walkaround spot checks confirm appliances are not missing from the register
• • Items moved between rooms are updated
• • Communal and back-of-house areas are included, not only resident rooms

Evidence to check

• • Register includes kettles, microwaves, heaters, chargers, extension leads, fans, televisions, laptops, vacuum cleaners and similar items
• • Frequently moved or heat-generating appliances are checked appropriately
• • Resident safety risks are considered where appliances are used in bedrooms
• • High-risk items are removed from use if damaged or unsafe

Evidence to check

• • Clinical devices such as pumps, specialist beds, hoists or monitoring equipment are listed separately where required
• • Service, calibration or maintenance records are current
• • PAT testing is not used as a substitute for clinical equipment servicing
• • Staff know how to report faults with clinical electrical equipment

Evidence to check

• • Chargers, rechargeable devices, tablets, phones, mobility aids and battery packs are included where relevant
• • Damaged, counterfeit or incompatible chargers are removed
• • Charging locations are checked for ventilation and fire risk
• • Staff and residents are reminded about safe charging practice

Evidence to check

• • Process exists for checking new resident-owned appliances before use
• • Consent and communication with resident or family are documented where needed
• • Resident-owned appliances are labelled or recorded according to policy
• • Unsafe items are managed sensitively but firmly to protect residents

Evidence to check

• • New appliance approval process is documented
• • Donated or newly purchased items are checked before use
• • Items are added to the appliance register
• • Staff know not to use unapproved or unchecked appliances

Evidence to check

• • Visual check schedule or walkaround process is in place
• • Checks include cables, plugs, casing, scorch marks, positioning and overloading
• • Defects are recorded in maintenance logs
• • Visual checks are completed by staff who understand what to look for

Evidence to check

• • Walkaround confirms no frayed cables, exposed wires, bent pins, scorch marks or loose connections
• • Damaged appliances are labelled and removed from use
• • Staff do not tape, improvise or ignore damaged cables
• • Repairs are completed by competent persons only

Evidence to check

• • Appliances are not placed near sinks, baths or wet areas unless suitable and controlled
• • Ventilation around appliances is not blocked
• • Cables do not create trip hazards
• • Appliances are positioned safely in resident bedrooms and communal areas

Evidence to check

• • No daisy-chained extension leads are observed
• • Extension leads are rated for the load and used appropriately
• • Power strips show no signs of overheating, scorch marks or damage
• • Use of extensions is minimised and reviewed where permanent sockets may be needed

Evidence to check

• • Portable heater use is authorised and risk assessed
• • Heaters are kept away from bedding, curtains, furniture, oxygen and combustible materials
• • Residents at risk from burns, dementia or confusion are considered
• • Heaters are not used as a long-term substitute for failed heating without management oversight

Evidence to check

• • Devices are not charged under pillows, bedding or soft furnishings
• • Chargers are suitable for the device and not visibly damaged
• • Charging areas are ventilated and not overloaded
• • Staff and residents receive reminders about safe charging

Evidence to check

• • Faulty items are labelled DO NOT USE and isolated
• • Defects are entered into the maintenance log
• • High-risk faults are escalated immediately
• • Appliances are not returned to use until repaired and checked

Evidence to check

• • PAT schedule shows planned and completed test dates
• • Overdue items are identified and risk assessed
• • Testing completion is monitored by the responsible person
• • Repeated overdue items are escalated through governance

Evidence to check

• • Sampled appliances have clear PAT labels where required
• • Labels match the appliance register
• • Labels are readable and not missing or misleading
• • Failed or removed items do not display valid pass labels

Evidence to check

• • PAT records include pass or fail result for each appliance
• • Readings are recorded where applicable
• • Records are retained according to policy
• • Records are organised and available for inspection

Evidence to check

• • Failed items are removed from use immediately
• • Repair or disposal decision is recorded
• • Register is updated to show outcome
• • Resident-owned failed items are managed with clear communication and safety controls

Evidence to check

• • Repair records are available
• • Re-test evidence is recorded before reuse
• • Appliance label and register are updated
• • Staff do not return repaired items to use without confirmation

Evidence to check

• • PAT equipment calibration certificate is available or confirmed
• • Contractor report states testing method used
• • Testing is appropriate to appliance class and type
• • Any limitations of testing are documented

Evidence to check

• • PAT records identify appliance class where applicable
• • Testing approach matches appliance type
• • Earthed and double-insulated items are not treated identically without rationale
• • Competent person can explain testing differences where asked

Evidence to check

• • IEC, kettle and detachable leads are included in checks
• • Leads are matched safely to equipment
• • Damaged or mismatched leads are removed
• • Records show leads are not overlooked

Evidence to check

• • Kitchen appliances are included in register and PAT schedule
• • Higher-risk frequency is considered for kettles, microwaves, mixers and other portable items
• • Appliances near heat or water are visually checked regularly
• • Kitchen staff report defects promptly

Evidence to check

• • Laundry items such as irons, steamers, extension leads and portable components are included
• • Dryers and washers are maintained under appropriate maintenance regimes
• • Heat, moisture and lint-related risks are considered
• • Faults are reported and acted on promptly

Evidence to check

• • Risk assessment covers appliances used near water
• • RCD protection, safe positioning and supervision are used where required
• • Appliances unsuitable for wet areas are not used
• • Staff understand water and electrical safety risks

Evidence to check

• • Power tools, vacuum cleaners, portable work lights, chargers and extension reels are on the register where required
• • Maintenance tools are stored safely
• • Defective tools are removed from use
• • Contractor-owned tools are controlled through contractor safety arrangements

Evidence to check

• • Hoist chargers, mobility scooter chargers and powered aids are recorded where required
• • Charging arrangements are safe and ventilated
• • Cables and plugs are visually checked
• • Equipment is serviced separately where required

Evidence to check

• • Portable RCDs are available for higher-risk equipment where required
• • Push-test records are completed where required
• • RCDs are not damaged or bypassed
• • Staff know when RCD protection is needed

Evidence to check

• • Extension leads are correctly rated and in good condition
• • Cable reels are unwound during use where required
• • Leads are not used in unsuitable wet or high-heat areas
• • Extension use is reviewed where it becomes permanent

Evidence to check

• • No signs of overheating, discoloration, smell or damage
• • Power strips are not overloaded with high-wattage appliances
• • Cheap, counterfeit or non-compliant adaptors are removed
• • Staff understand safe loading and reporting concerns

Evidence to check

• • Cables are not run under rugs, across doorways or through walkways without protection
• • Cables are not pinched in doors, bedframes or furniture
• • Resident mobility and falls risks are considered
• • Cable management issues are corrected promptly

Evidence to check

• • Staff can identify frayed wires, scorch marks, overheating, buzzing, burning smells and loose plugs
• • Staff know to isolate, label and report unsafe equipment
• • Staff do not attempt unauthorised repairs
• • Electrical safety reminders are included in induction or briefings

Evidence to check

• • Maintenance reporting system is clear and accessible
• • Urgent electrical risks are escalated immediately
• • Repairs are prioritised based on risk
• • Open defects are monitored until resolved

Evidence to check

• • Local induction includes safe charging, defect reporting, personal heaters and extension lead rules
• • Agency staff know how to report unsafe appliances
• • New staff are told not to use unapproved personal electrical items
• • Knowledge gaps are corrected through briefing

Evidence to check

• • Walkaround checks for overloaded sockets, unsafe heaters, damaged chargers and trailing leads
• • Fire risk assessment links to electrical appliance risks
• • High-risk items are removed or controlled
• • Staff report electrical fire risks promptly

Evidence to check

• • Hairdryers, straighteners, irons, heaters and similar items are risk assessed where used
• • Items are switched off and cooled before storage
• • Residents needing supervision are identified
• • Heat-generating items are kept away from bedding, clothing and oxygen

Evidence to check

• • Residents using oxygen have risk assessments covering ignition sources
• • Electrical heaters, smoking materials and heat sources are controlled
• • Oxygen safety signage is used where appropriate
• • Staff understand oxygen and electrical fire risks

Evidence to check

• • Procurement process includes safety, durability and suitability checks
• • Appliances have appropriate markings and instructions
• • Cheap, counterfeit or unsafe items are avoided
• • New appliances are added to the register before use

Evidence to check

• • Disposal process is documented
• • Unsafe appliances are not left where they can be reused
• • WEEE disposal is followed where relevant
• • Register is updated after disposal

Evidence to check

• • Donation acceptance process is documented
• • Donated appliances are checked before use
• • Unsuitable or unsafe donations are refused or disposed of
• • Resident dignity and family communication are handled sensitively

Evidence to check

• • Staff check chargers and cables during room or safety checks where appropriate
• • Unsafe chargers are removed from use
• • Residents and families are informed about safe alternatives
• • Repeated charger concerns are reviewed through fire safety or resident risk planning

Evidence to check

• • Current PAT register is available immediately
• • Register includes asset IDs, locations and test dates
• • Sampled appliances match register entries
• • Overdue or missing items are identified and actioned

Evidence to check

• • Staff know where DO NOT USE tags or labels are kept
• • Staff can explain how to isolate the appliance safely
• • Staff know how to log the fault
• • Staff understand not to return the item to use until cleared

Evidence to check

• • Recent failed item records are available
• • Outcome is documented as repaired, disposed or replaced
• • Re-test is completed before reuse where repaired
• • Register and labels are updated after action

Evidence to check

• • Overdue items are listed and reviewed
• • Risk assessment considers appliance type, use and resident risk
• • Completion date or contractor booking is documented
• • High-risk overdue items are removed or restricted until tested

Evidence to check

• • Audit includes walkaround observations, staff questioning and register review
• • Audit checks charging habits, overloaded sockets, damaged cables, resident-owned items and heat-generating appliances
• • Findings are risk rated and escalated where needed
• • Actions lead to practical improvements in electrical safety

Evidence to check

• • Governance reviews consider electrical risks alongside fire safety and resident safety
• • Trailing leads, heaters, chargers and appliance failures are linked to wider risk assessments
• • Loss of essential electrical equipment is considered in business continuity planning
• • Resident choice around personal appliances is balanced with safety and documented risk controls