Occupational Health And Safety Reps. Information, Advice, Support...Speaking Up Together

Under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004), the employer has a legal obligation to ensure that the workplace and the plant at the workplace is safe and without risks to health (Section 21). This means identifying whether there are any hazards associated with electrical equipment, assessing the associated risks and taking measures to eliminate or control those risks.

WorkSafe Victoria advises that electrical safety testing and tagging for all plug-in equipment falls under the general obligations of Section 21(2)(a)of the Act. In the past, the VWA has advised all employers to introduce a safety testing protocol. In some workplaces (for example all government departments) it is considered more or less mandatory that all electrical equipment be checked and "tagged" regularly.

The Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS3760 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment is nationally accepted as the minimum safety protocol for the workplace, and applies to plug-in or non-fixed equipment. The VTHC has been advised that WorkSafe Victoria is now "actively enforcing the standard and inspecting all types of premises to confirm introduction of minimum safety testing programs consistent with AS/NZS 3760." The standard applies to all types of electrical equipment in offices, factories and so on (ie tools, machines, computers, even jugs and cooling fans).

How often should equipment be 'tested and tagged'?

The frequency of inspections that are outlined in Section 2 of the Standard, AS/NZS 3760:2006 are recommended but can be varied subject to a risk assessment that has been carried out in accordance with an appropriate risk assessment.  The Australian standard includes a table that sets out testing and inspection intervals for various types of equipment from 3 months (for equipment that is high use, high risk, or hire equipment) to up to 5 years (for equipment that is not open to abuse, flexing of cords, etc).  In addition to the regular testing and inspection, the standard specified that electrical equipment SHALL be inspected and tested:

• Before return to service after a repair or servicing, which could have affected the electrical safety of the equipment, and
• Before return to service from a second-hand sale, to ensure equipment is safe.

Lockout of plant

• Equipment Safety - General Guidelines. The guidelines on the safety of electrical equipment provide advice on the regulation of electrical equipment generally, Australian standards, compliance and approval of equipment and more.
• Maintaining electrical appliances and equipment
• Mandatory insulated-PIN Plugs - all new electrical equipment is now required to have insulated live pins to reduce the danger of shocks when coming into contact with partially removed plugs
• Switches, Leads and Powerpoints
• Sale and supply of second-hand equipment  and Second-hand equipment safety tips
• Appliance Safety in the Home

ESV can be contacted on 03) 9203 9700 (electricity section) or you can go to its website.

Advice to health and safety reps

Tagging and checking of all electrical equipment in accordance with AS3760 should now be the norm in all workplaces. If this is not the case in your workplace, as an OHS rep, you should approach your employer and request that this be done as soon as possible. If it is not done, then the employer is breaching his/her duty under Section 21. For more advice, contact your union.

More information

• From WorkSafe Victoria: 
  
• Identifying faulty portable electrical tools and equipment 
• an Alert  Electrical tools and equipment - Poor maintenance can kill
• Preventing electrical shock from power tools and electrical leads
  
  

• Manual on Electrical Safety - A manual for those qualified to undertake testing and tagging of electrical equipment has been produced Best Practice Standards P/L. Allan Mulvena, OHS Officer with the ETU says the technical manual is suitable for electricians, but untrained people should not rely on it to undertake this work. More information 

• A number of 'Alerts' from the ESV:
  • Safety Advice: Dangers of Damaged Electrical Appliances [pdf]. This advice follows a
    number of electric shock investigations which revealed the shocks were due
    to damaged electrical appliances that were continuing to be used.
  • A  warning on the dangers of using second-hand electrical equipment [pdf]
  • Differences between approved (genuine) and unapproved (look-alike) HPM Socket Outlets [ pdf ].
  • Safety Alert on the importance of following all safety procedures when doing testing [pdf]
  • The Safe use of Power Boards [pdf]
  • Incorrect use of Extension Leads [pdf]
  • Warning On Unsafe Power Supplies [pdf]
    
    
• From NSW WorkCover Authority:
  • a very useful Electrical FAQs section
  • Frequently Asked Questions - testing and tagging of electrical equipment [pdf] (May 2006); and
  • Electrical Equipment Risk Assessment Guidelines [pdf] (May 2006).
  • a Code of Practice - Electrical practices for construction work
  • A checklist for construction contractors
  • Guidelines on who should be doing testing and tagging for electrical equipment
    
    
• The Queensland Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has guidance on Who can test electrical equipment with advice on the competencies required and so on. 
  
  
• Go to the UK Health and Safety Executive's page on Electrical Safety at Work to download more information, including a range of leaflets and guidance material.

(last amended May 2007)