PAT Testing Student Owned Devices

[RGSKarl]

Hi all,

 

All of our BYOD devices (Surfaces) are student owned. They bring them to school every day, but they were purchased by the parents.

 

I've reviewed the HSE documentation on this but it's not entirely whether we need to PAT test -- even if it's just a visual inspection -- the student owned devices.

 

I'd appreciate your thoughts on this.

 

Kind regards,

[Guest Guest]

I could be wrong but I've always thought PAT test applies to school owned devices only

[synaesthesia]

It's no longer PAT testing under new regs, mostly to take away the "portable" side of things. But indeed for student/staff owned devices you are not responsible for testing them however good practice would suggest staff keep an eye on anything like dodgy chargers where the sheathing has come away as an example and banning further use in school until they're fixed/replaced as that still comes under the safety responsibility of the school (which does slightly contradict the above)

[msi_school]

You do have a duty to provide a safe workplace, I would suggest a risk assessment.

[FN-GM]

You would only test the power supply anyway. Are you charging them and plugging into the mains at school? If not you will be fine as there isn’t anything to test.

[ass17]

If it’s not “The Schools” property then you don’t have to test them. The responsibility of testing electrical equipment falls on the person/company who own them.

 

If you do inspect it then you have to document it, extra paperwork on three counts. The device, the transformer pack and the IEC mains lead. But ultimately not your responsibility to test it. The only thing you would be concerned about is the power outlet socket that provides the power, from the schools POV.

 

The HSE document https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg107.pdf doesn’t state specifically student owned equipment, so it’s you GOJFC (Get out of Jail free card) and therefore doesn’t have to be done by the school.

Edited April 13, 2021 by ass17

[synaesthesia]

And of course then you're liable if the test breaks the equipment (does happen although usually to fridges/freezers)

[ass17]

And of course then you're liable if the test breaks the equipment (does happen although usually to fridges/freezers)

 

Exactly

[E_G_R2]

Now boarding is different from mainstream but at a previous school the insurers made the school responsible for and to undertake testing of all boarders electrical equipment (lucky the site site staff did it) so you may find that the schools insurer makes it a condition.

[ass17]

Now boarding is different from mainstream but at a previous school the insurers made the school responsible for and to undertake testing of all boarders electrical equipment (lucky the site site staff did it) so you may find that the schools insurer makes it a condition.

 

Yes, you are at the mercy of insurers all the time as it’s their job to give you the best protection but in return you have to jump through many hoops and pay them a fee also! [emoji23]

[msi_school]

Now boarding is different from mainstream but at a previous school the insurers made the school responsible for and to undertake testing of all boarders electrical equipment (lucky the site site staff did it) so you may find that the schools insurer makes it a condition.

 

When I lived in the school PAT tested every thing in our accommodation every year.