PAT Testing for Pharmacies and Health Shops
PAT Testing for Pharmacies and Health Shops: Fridges, Counters and Staff Areas
Pharmacies and health shops are professional, customer-facing businesses where electrical equipment is used throughout the day.
Some items are obvious, such as tills, card machines, computers, printers, display lighting and small fridges. Others can be easier to miss, especially in staff areas, consultation rooms, stock rooms or behind the counter.
For local pharmacies, health shops and wellbeing retailers, annual PAT testing can be a simple way to keep appliance checks and records clear without adding unnecessary admin.
If you are unsure what might need checked, you can ask Wendy, Thorn PAT Testing’s online assistant, for a guide before requesting a confirmed quote.
Relevant for: pharmacies, health shops, wellbeing retailers, professional high-street businesses, customer-facing premises, consultation rooms, stock rooms, staff areas and small local workplaces.
Counter and customer-area equipment
The counter area is often where the most-used electrical equipment sits.
A till, card machine, computer, monitor, receipt printer, label printer, phone charger, router, desk lamp or small power supply may all be part of the normal working day.
Because these items are used so regularly, it is worth making sure they are included in the appliance record rather than treated as part of the furniture.
Fridges, display lighting and shop equipment
Some pharmacies and health shops use small fridges, display lighting, illuminated shelving or other plug-in equipment around the shop floor.
These items may not always look like “portable appliances” at first glance, but if they plug in and are used as part of the business, they should be considered when preparing for PAT testing.
Our guide What Counts as an Appliance for PAT Testing? gives a wider explanation of the types of equipment that may need to be included.
Staff areas and stock rooms
The back of the premises can be just as important as the customer-facing area.
A kettle, microwave, fridge, coffee machine, phone charger, portable heater, fan, vacuum cleaner or printer may be used every day in a staff room or stock area, but still get missed when appliance checks are arranged.
I have covered this wider issue separately in PAT Testing for Staff Rooms: Kettles, Microwaves and Everyday Equipment.
Consultation rooms and shared equipment
If the premises includes a consultation room or shared workspace, there may be additional electrical items to consider.
That could include a computer, tablet, lamp, charger, small printer, fan, heater, air purifier or other equipment used by different members of staff.
Shared spaces can make appliance records less clear over time, especially when items move between rooms. Our recent guide Shared Workspaces and Electrical Equipment: Who Keeps Track? looks at this in more detail.
Keep damaged items out of use
In a professional setting like a pharmacy or health shop, damaged electrical equipment should not stay in normal use just because it still switches on.
If an appliance has a damaged cable, cracked casing, loose plug, scorch mark, unusual smell, flickering or overheating, it should be removed from use and checked, repaired or replaced before being used again.
You can read more in Damaged Electrical Appliances at Work: When Should You Stop Using Them?.
Annual PAT testing keeps records clear
A pharmacy or health shop can change gradually. A printer gets replaced, a small fridge is added, a charger moves behind the counter, or a fan appears during warmer weather.
Annual PAT testing gives the business a simple point in the year to check the electrical equipment, update the report and keep records clearer.
Thorn PAT Testing provides business PAT testing for small workplaces, with clear pass/fail labelling where suitable and digital reports for your records. You can also view current PAT testing prices before requesting a confirmed quote.
Thorn PAT Testing’s approach
Thorn PAT Testing provides local PAT testing for small businesses, shops, clinics, landlords, letting agents and workplaces across Glasgow, Bearsden, Milngavie and East Dunbartonshire.
For pharmacies and health shops, the service can help check everyday electrical equipment across the counter area, shop floor, staff room, stock area and consultation spaces where relevant.
Need PAT testing for a pharmacy or health shop?
If you are unsure what equipment should be included, Wendy can help you think through your premises, likely appliance count and guide price before you request a confirmed quote.
You can view the main PAT testing service information, check current pricing, or ask Wendy online.
Ask Wendy for a Guide Price