What is a Competent Person?

The IEE Code of Practice states that a person carrying out PAT testing must be competent. They define the term ‘competent’ as:

“A person possessing sufficient knowledge or experience to be capable of ensuring that injury is prevented.”

This means that those carrying out PAT testing must be knowledgeable or experienced enough to prevent injury.
Specifically, technical knowledge and experience generally include the following:

• Knowledge of electricity
• Experience in electrical work
• An understanding of the system
• Understanding possible hazards
• Knowledge of preventative procedures
• Recognising if something is safe to work on

Also, regulation 16 of the Electricity at Work Act highlights that people cannot carry out work, where technical knowledge or experience is needed to be able to prevent danger, unless they have that knowledge or experience, or are under direct supervision from someone who has.

This means that in terms of the phrase ‘competency’, there is a lot of actual knowledge and experience required to ensure you are in fact competent. In addition, ‘competency’ is something you need to prove, and this is usually done through the completing of a course with instruction from a qualified and experienced tutor.

Therefore, when you pass, you will be awarded with a certificate of competence to prove your knowledge.

Written by Sara Thomson