Like other industries in Ireland, pharmaceutical companies are required to conduct regular PAT testing to meet health and safety regulations which demonstrate compliance with The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (2005), in addition to maintaining appliances for insurance purposes.
PAT Testing for the Pharmaceutical Industry
PAT testing is particularly important in pharmaceutical environments, which use a multitude of different electrical devices and equipment to conduct laboratory research, processes and manufacturing, in addition to office devices such as computers and printers and other appliances like refrigerators and kettles in shared work spaces. While PAT testing is often conducted in one year intervals to meet health and safety requirements, as well as insurance guidelines, pharmaceutical spaces may require more frequent testing between 6-12 months depending laboratory equipment and its exposure to different agents, vibrations, humidity/temperature variations and risks associated with specialised or high usage.
Testing Without Disruption
Considering the working environments of the pharmaceutical industry, scheduling times for PAT testing will depend on how each business operates, recognising the frequency of equipment use, operational scheduling, and safety requirements. As pharmaceutical manufacturing and laboratory environments often require periods for maintenance and cleaning, scheduling PAT testing during these periods is recommended as it will cause no disruption to production or research output. Likewise, any new and/or moved or repaired equipment should undergo PAT testing as soon as it is installed before being used in production or research to ensure that all devices meet safety standards and are free from faults after installation or maintenance.
Scheduled PAT Testing
Similarly, as pharmaceutical companies are regularly subject to regulatory inspections (from bodies like the Health Products Regulatory Authority), PAT testing on a recommended schedule can ensure that all electrical equipment compliant to health and safety guidelines before such audits which can help avoid compliance issues.
Electrical Testing From Qualified Electricians
It is important to also recognise that all PAT testing should be conducted by electricians or qualified electrical technicians like those at the PAT Group, as they are able to provide the necessary reports to meet health and safety guidelines and insurance purposes, and to provide the essential recommendations for any repairs or frequent maintenance to prevent hazards.
PAT Testing Service for Pharmaceutical Companies
If you have a pharmaceutical plant or lab that needs to get PAT Tested then feel free to give us a call now on 01-9602636 or contact us online for more information on pricing and availability. Our team have lots of experience with PAT testing in pharmaceutical environments and can guide and co-ordinate the most efficient approach to testing.
If you found this post helpful make sure you check out our post about PAT Testing FAQ for Irish businesses.
