What are Test and Tag Regulations?

By having your electrical equipment at your workplace inspected and tagged, you are making the right choice for your business and your employees. Choosing the right company is key. You require a professional company who you can trust, that are fully licensed and can provide all the appropriate paperwork and carry out any repairs that are required on the spot.

What is Tag Testing

Tag testing is a process when an electrician or competent person, inspects, electrically tests, labels (tags) and then logs the electrical appliances in a workplace.  It is a way of documenting electrical safety systems, for compliance and workplace risk assessment purpose.

The AS/NZS 3760 is an Australian standard that oversees the Testing and Tagging industry, regarding portable electrical appliances. Its main goal is to ensure workplaces are safe by setting out recommendations in relation to testing 240volt, 3 phase and low voltage equipment.

How often should you get your appliances tested?

The frequency of the inspection and testing of electrical appliances really is dependent on the environment in which they are being used. AS/NZS3760:2010

Here are the most common intervals for testing that we recommend under the standard AS/NZS3760:2010 as a bare minimum;

• 3 months: building, construction and demolition
• 6 months: factories, warehouses and production
• 12 months: an environment where the equipment/supply cord is prone to flexing or open to abuse
• 5yearly: an environment where the equipment/supply cord is not prone to flexing or open to abuse.

You should have your inspection and testing frequency set to the companies own risk management and WHS planning and policies.  It may also be requested by your local council if you must submit an Annual Fire Safety Statement.

Who can carry out the testing and maintenance?

The inspection can be carried out by a competent person, this is someone who has acquired, through training, qualification or experience, the knowledge to carry our inspection and testing of electrical equipment to the Australian standards. It is imperative that all repairs are completed by a licensed Electrician and are retested before being approved and signed off.

Is it required by law?

Certain types of electrical equipment must be inspected and tested at regular intervals by a competent person to identify any damage, wear and to detect electrical faults.

If you are a business or employer, you must make sure that the electrical equipment is regularly tested, based on these factors as stated on safework.nsw.gov.au;

• is supplied with electricity through an electrical socket outlet (‘plug in’ equipment), and
• used in an environment in which its normal use exposes the equipment to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected life span, e.g. conditions such as exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust.

Not all business, are required to carry out test and tagging, however industries such as construction, demolition, and mining are required to have their appliances inspected and tagged every 3 months. This is due to harsh conditions that the electrical equipment is being exposed to such as, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals, and dust, all effect the life span of electrical equipment.

What are the benefits of tag testing for your business?

• It can help with insurance premiums and provides evidence that you are complying with the relevant laws if an incident was to occur.
• Gives employees and customers peace of mind that they are in a safe environment.
• Minimises fines from a breach of electrical compliance.

Powered Electrical & Data can provide a prompt, honest and reliable service to help you have peace of mind in your work place. Please contact us today, for more information.