Why Should I Test and Tag My Electrical Equipment?         

As employers and individuals become more aware and concerned with Occupational Health and Safety laws, great care has to be taken to avoid accidents in the workplace. The presence of regulations protecting employees against company negligence means that the prosecution of the employer in cases of negligence is much more likely. Harsher penalties are faced, than were in the past. A well designed program of preventive maintenance, with regular electrical safety checks, is the perfect way to avoid unnecessary accidents, and the legal recourse that could follow.  

How Often Do I Have To Get My Equipment Tested?

Every work situation is different and the frequency of testing depends on the harshness of the environment in question. There may be multiple environments in the one workplace, which means that some appliances may need to be retested in as little as 3 months if the surroundings are harsh. However, if the surrounding environment is less detrimental to the appliance itself, retest dates may extend to a period of anywhere up to 5 years.

What Does Test And Tagging Involve?   

The process of testing appliances involves the following:

Visual Inspection: The most important test is a Visual Inspection of the device, especially leads. Cords should be firmly anchored in plugs, connections made solidly with no frayed ends. Copper terminals should be clean and not pitted. Electrical Testing:

Physical Testing: The appliance will be tested with a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) to test for any unseen electrical faults. These tests include; an insulation resistance test; earth bond test; a polarity test; and a leakage test.

Record Keeping: Upon completion of any test, all information will be stored in a comprehensive database, and a safety tag will be applied to the appliance verifying its safe approval.

What Equipment needs to be tested?   

Any appliance within a business that has a flexible cord that plugs into either a 240 v power outlet, or 3 phase power outlet needs to tested regularly to ensure that the appliance is electrically safe to use within the workplace. These appliances include anything from computers to toasters, from drills and other tools to large factory machinery. ALL APPLIANCES within the workplace need to be tested, and continue to be tested in order to adhere to Occupational Health and Safety regulations, and comply with AS/NZ 3760.

 

             

 

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