Introduction

Each year, all electrical appliances and equipment that is owned by the council, must be checked to make sure it is safe for continued use. This process is known as PAT (portable appliance testing) testing, and is completed by an electrical contractor on behalf of the council.

What needs to be tested

Testing must be carried out on all electrically powered equipment. This is equipment that must be plugged into a mains outlet to work and includes IT equipment such as:

• laptops
• monitors
• desktop PCs
• docking stations
• power packs and chargers
• power leads and cables
• mobile phone and iPad chargers.

As well as other appliances, such as:

• kettles
• fridges
• microwaves
• fans
• desk lamps.

Site visits

If you mainly work from a council office or depot, your manager will advise you when the testing contractor is scheduled to visit your office. Please make sure all of the electrical equipment you are responsible for is available for them to test.

If you work from home some of the time, we would recommend that you organise to be in the office during this time so your electrical equipment can be tested.

Testing station at County Hall

If you usually work from home or are a blended worker, and have been allocated council-owned equipment to carry out your role, you should bring this in for testing each year. Testing is carried out in meeting room 3 during a specific time period.

Check the label on your equipment to find the date of the last inspection. If this was more than a year ago you’ll need to book an appointment.

Testing appointments

The testing programme for 2026 at County Hall runs from Tuesday 1 September until Wednesday 28 October. You will be able to book an appointment for a 10-minute testing slot between 8am and 4.20pm.

Make sure you arrive on time and allow enough time to carry your equipment to the testing station safely.

The testing appointments are available for three days each week during the testing period and will alternate on a rolling two week basis:

• week 1 (Tuesday 1 September) - open Monday to Wednesday (except week 1 - Tuesday and Wednesday only)
• week 2 (Wednesday 9 September) - open Wednesday to Friday.

Transport your equipment

Make sure you take extra care transporting your equipment to and from the testing station, particularly if you are bringing in one or more monitors to be tested.

You will be able to park at County Hall so you won’t have to carry your equipment too far.

When you arrive at the car parking barrier, just show your council ID badge and explain that you have an appointment.

There will be three parking spaces reserved for testing appointments. Make sure you only park in one of these spaces.

Other locations

If you’re based closer to Goole or Bridlington, you can wait and book an appointment at one of those testing stations. Details of testing at these locations will be shared with you shortly.

Questions or queries

If you have a question about equipment testing either speak to your manager or you can: