Why Test and Tag?
Employers have a duty of care to ensure that are safe from injury and risks to health. Therefore any safety risks surrounding electrical hazards must be managed in accordance with the Work health And Safety Act 2011. Testing and tagging of electrical equipment in accordance with the Australian electrical standard 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment is a practical method of meeting this duty of care and ensuring that risk of injury from electric shock for all people at the workplace is reduced as far as is reasonably practicable.
What is appliance test and tagging?
Appliance test and tagging is the process of inspecting and testing 240v or 415v volt plug-in electrical appliances, to ensure the safety of the people on your premises. The current WHS legislation states that all workplaces across Australia have a duty of care and must be able to demonstrate safe work systems, including electrical safety.
How often do I need to have my equipment tested?
The frequency of testing depends on the attributes of the equipment and the work environment in question so there may be multiple time frames for re-testing in the one workplace. As a general guideline equipment in very harsh environments such as construction sites may need to be tested every 3, equipment in a less harsh environment that is subject to a lot of cable flexing every 12 month and equipment that is not subject to cable flexing as is in a non hostile environment may only need to be tested every 5 years. The Australian Standard 3760:2010 clearly outlines how often portable appliances in different workplace environments must be tested. Coastal Test & Tag services will advise you on required time frames when we assess your site.
What does appliance test and tagging involve?
Test and Tagging is performed by Coastal Test & Tag services through the following process:
1. Visually inspecting the item check for any defects that may render them dangerous and unsafe to use.
2. Electronically testing the item with a portable appliance tester. In accordance with AS\NZS 3760:2010 this includes testing of: Insulation resistance
Earth continuity
Polarity
Earth leakage
3. Attaching a tag to each item that indicates the item ID, test and re-test dates, tester’s name and test status (pass\fail).
4. Recording the item & its test results. This includes the compilation of a corresponding asset register and report with test status as required to comply with AS\NZS 3760:2010. Coastal Test & Tag Services will present this asset register and report upon completion of testing free of charge as part of our service.
What types of businesses need to test and tag appliances?
All businesses and organisations are required to have a electrical safety program. The following list of businesses provides an example of the types of businesses that use test and tag services:
What types of equipment in my workplace needs testing?
All 240v or 415v volt plug-in electrical equipment items designed for connection by a flexible supply cord and within 2.5 metres from the ground needs to be inspected, tested and tagged in all workplaces and organisations. The following list is provided as a guide to equipment that is commonly tested but this should only be considered to a small representative sample:
Do we lose all of our power when test and tagging is being carried out?
No, each item is tested separately and will only be out of service for a few minutes. If testing and tagging may cause excessive disruption in your workplace Coastal Test & Tag will conduct the testing out of hours at no extra cost.
Useful links
Work health And Safety Act 2011
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/2011/10
Electrical risks at the workplace: Fact sheet
http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/media/publications/health-and-safety/electrical-risks-at-the-workplace-fact-sheet
Electrical inspection and testing
http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/health-and-safety/industry-safety/electrical-and-power/electrical-inspection-and-testing
Employers have a duty of care to ensure that are safe from injury and risks to health. Therefore any safety risks surrounding electrical hazards must be managed in accordance with the Work health And Safety Act 2011. Testing and tagging of electrical equipment in accordance with the Australian electrical standard 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment is a practical method of meeting this duty of care and ensuring that risk of injury from electric shock for all people at the workplace is reduced as far as is reasonably practicable.
What is appliance test and tagging?
Appliance test and tagging is the process of inspecting and testing 240v or 415v volt plug-in electrical appliances, to ensure the safety of the people on your premises. The current WHS legislation states that all workplaces across Australia have a duty of care and must be able to demonstrate safe work systems, including electrical safety.
How often do I need to have my equipment tested?
The frequency of testing depends on the attributes of the equipment and the work environment in question so there may be multiple time frames for re-testing in the one workplace. As a general guideline equipment in very harsh environments such as construction sites may need to be tested every 3, equipment in a less harsh environment that is subject to a lot of cable flexing every 12 month and equipment that is not subject to cable flexing as is in a non hostile environment may only need to be tested every 5 years. The Australian Standard 3760:2010 clearly outlines how often portable appliances in different workplace environments must be tested. Coastal Test & Tag services will advise you on required time frames when we assess your site.
What does appliance test and tagging involve?
Test and Tagging is performed by Coastal Test & Tag services through the following process:
1. Visually inspecting the item check for any defects that may render them dangerous and unsafe to use.
2. Electronically testing the item with a portable appliance tester. In accordance with AS\NZS 3760:2010 this includes testing of: Insulation resistance
Earth continuity
Polarity
Earth leakage
3. Attaching a tag to each item that indicates the item ID, test and re-test dates, tester’s name and test status (pass\fail).
4. Recording the item & its test results. This includes the compilation of a corresponding asset register and report with test status as required to comply with AS\NZS 3760:2010. Coastal Test & Tag Services will present this asset register and report upon completion of testing free of charge as part of our service.
What types of businesses need to test and tag appliances?
All businesses and organisations are required to have a electrical safety program. The following list of businesses provides an example of the types of businesses that use test and tag services:
- auto electricians and auto mechanics
- offices
- doctor, dentist and veterinary surgeries
- cleaning services
- hairdressing salons
- hire of electrical equipment and tools
- building sites and demolition sites
- restaurants, takeaway food shops and cafes
- dry cleaners
- nursing homes
- motels, hotels, B&Bs, pubs and resorts
- Conference centres and educational centres
- Nurseries and garden centres
- carnivals, festivals, amusement parks, concerts and public events
- factories and manufacturers
- trades people
- gyms and fitness centres
What types of equipment in my workplace needs testing?
All 240v or 415v volt plug-in electrical equipment items designed for connection by a flexible supply cord and within 2.5 metres from the ground needs to be inspected, tested and tagged in all workplaces and organisations. The following list is provided as a guide to equipment that is commonly tested but this should only be considered to a small representative sample:
- Hand held electrical equipment
- Hand held power tools,
- Hairdryers,
- Kitchen appliances,
- Laboratory equipment
- Floor polishers,
- Vacuum cleaners,
- Portable lighting equipment
- Portable electronic whiteboards,
- Overhead projectors,
- Laptop computers,
- Electrical plant used in factory type environments,
- Welding machines,
- Extension cords,
- Power boards
- Electrical equipment used outdoors,
- EPODs
- RCDs
- Office equipment
Do we lose all of our power when test and tagging is being carried out?
No, each item is tested separately and will only be out of service for a few minutes. If testing and tagging may cause excessive disruption in your workplace Coastal Test & Tag will conduct the testing out of hours at no extra cost.
Useful links
Work health And Safety Act 2011
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/2011/10
Electrical risks at the workplace: Fact sheet
http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/media/publications/health-and-safety/electrical-risks-at-the-workplace-fact-sheet
Electrical inspection and testing
http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/health-and-safety/industry-safety/electrical-and-power/electrical-inspection-and-testing