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/NZS3760-2010 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 3760:2010 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:
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Before return to service after a repair or servicing, which could have affected the electrical safety of the equipment, and
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Before return to service from a second-hand sale, to ensure equipment is safe.
Generally the following should be followed:
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equipment, including tools and leads, on building sites: at least every quarter
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Safety Switches: monthly
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Factories, etc, equipment/machinery/tools on 'the floor': six monthly.
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Offices (including offices in factories): every 3 to 5 years
The checking and tagging of equipment as per AS/NZS 3760 can be done either by a qualified electrician or by someone who has successfully completed an approved course at a TAFE college. However, if you have concerns about the competency of the person undertaking the testing and tagging, then it would be safer to use a qualified electrician with expertise in this area. There are a number of electrical contractors who specialise in the checking and tagging equipment - check the Yellow Pages.
WorkSafe WA has produced a
Guide to testing and tagging portable electrical equipment and residual current devices at workplaces [pdf]
The UK's HSE has also produced a publication:
Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments which can be downloaded from
this page. The HSE says: 'It's a myth that all portable electrical appliances in a low-risk environment, such as an office, need to have a portable appliance test (PAT) every year. The law simply requires employers to ensure electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger - it doesn't state what needs to be done or how often.' (the PAT is equivalent to 'testing and tagging')
Lockout of plant
There are times when it is necessary to lockout or tagout electrical plant to ensure that it is not used. While the regulations do not specifically state what should be done in terms of lockout, WorkSafe has a Guidance Note Lock out and tagging of plant and Preventing electrical shock from power tools and electrical leads
In addition, EnergySafe Victoria, the newly established safety regulator responsible for electrical and gas safety in Victoria, Australia, has issued and recently revised, useful information:
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Equipment Safety - General Guidelines [pdf] The guidelines on the safety of electrical equipment provide advice on the regulation of electrical equipment generally, Australian standards, compliance and approval of equipment, information on insulated plugs, and more.
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Tips for Maintaining electrical appliances and equipment - Advice for consumers
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Sale and supply of second-hand equipment and Second-hand equipment safety tips [pdf] and General advice on the use of second hand equipment [pdf]
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
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From NSW WorkCover Authority: Testing and tagging FAQs
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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 2012)