7 Reasons In-House Testing Falls Behind Schedule
Managing electrical testing in-house can appear straightforward; buy a tester, train a team member and complete the testing when it’s due. In practice, testing is often competing with the everyday demands of running the business.
Here are seven common reasons in-house testing falls behind schedule.
1. Insufficient planning
Testing can involve hundreds - or even thousands of appliances across multiple areas. Without a clear testing schedule, the due date can arrive before the business has organised the people, equipment and access required to complete the work.
2. Limited staff availability
Testing is often given to someone who already has a full-time role. When normal responsibilities take priority, testing becomes an additional task that is easy to postpone - particularly when the workload turns out to be larger than expected.
3. Training gaps
Staff turnover can leave testing in the hands of a new employee who has not yet been trained or assessed as competent. Suitable test and tag courses may not be immediately available, creating further delays before testing can begin.
4. Staff resistance
Testing can represent a significant additional workload. Complicated test equipment, unfamiliar software or inadequate training can make the task feel daunting. This can lead to reluctance, slow progress or testing simply being put off.
5. Overdue calibration or equipment maintenance
Electrical safety testers generally require regular calibration - commonly every 12 months. A tester left unused in a cupboard may be found to be overdue for calibration just when it is needed, delaying the testing program before it has even started.
6. Running out of tags and consumables
Testing cannot be completed without the correct tags, printer supplies and other consumables. Ordering replacements may be easy, but waiting for them to arrive creates another delay—and by then, attention may have shifted to other priorities.
7. Concerns about downtime
Some testing requires equipment to be disconnected, while RCD testing may require important circuits to be temporarily shut down. Without downtime planned and agreed in advance, concerns about disruption can cause the work to be postponed repeatedly.
How to keep in-house testing on track
A little planning and preparation can prevent most of these problems:
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Plan early: Set testing dates well before the existing tags expire and allow enough time for unexpected delays.
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Allocate sufficient resources: Estimate the number of items to be tested and make sure the person responsible has dedicated time to complete the work.
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Train more than one person: Having a second competent team member provides cover for staff leave, turnover and competing priorities.
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Choose equipment that suits the organisation: Consider the number of assets, the testing environment, the experience of the operators and the records the business needs to maintain.
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Keep the system easy to use: Straightforward equipment, suitable software and clear internal procedures can reduce staff resistance and mistakes.
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Monitor calibration dates: Arrange calibration before it expires rather than discovering the problem when testing is due to begin.
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Maintain consumable stock: Keep a reasonable supply of tags, labels, printer rolls and other frequently used items.
- Plan for downtime: Coordinate testing with managers and equipment users so that shutdowns can happen safely and with minimal disruption.
Making the right decisions from the beginning
There is no single test and tag system that suits every organisation. A simple tester may be ideal for a small workplace, while a larger organisation may benefit from a complete testing, printing and asset-management system.
The right choice depends on the volume and type of equipment, the people carrying out the testing, the required records and how the system will be managed over time.
At Test and Tag Supplies, we can help you make all the right decisions before you get started. We’ll take the time to understand your organisation, explain the available options and help you select equipment, software, training and consumables that are genuinely suited to the way you need to work.
Good in-house testing is not just about buying a tester - it’s about putting the right system around it.
