Why Test & Tag
Guide to testing and tagging portable electrical equipment and residual current devices at workplaces. September 2011.
Page 5: "Regulation 4.37 of the OSH regulations deals with the duties as to the use of any electrical equipment or RCD at workplaces other than construction and demolition sites, and mining operations. Under this regulation, an employer, self employed person, main contractor, person having control of a workplace or person having control of access to a workplace must ensure that electrical equipment and RCD's at the workplace are subject to the appropriate checks, tests and inspections necessary to reduce the risk of injury or harm occurring to a person at the workplace."
Page 7: "Where a portable RCD is used at a workplace, the employer or self-employed person must ensure that it is kept in a safe working condition and tested regularly by a competent person. Where a non-portable RCD device is installed at a workplace, the person with control of the workplace must ensure that it is kept in a safe working condition and tested regularly by a competent person."
The research has been done for you. A portable electrical appliance maintenance program should be in place at all workplaces.
Australian National Standard
The AS/NZS 3760 Standard for electrical appliance safety was introduced in 2003 and applies to all businesses that use portable electrical appliances; this applies to anything with a 240V cord & plug! It is a legal requirement that all such appliances are tested at a government regulated interval to ensure that all portable electrical appliances are electrically safe for use, sale and/or storage in the work place.
Duty of Care
Industry figures show that around 2% of all appliances in the workplace are unsafe. Our own figures are closer to 5% on the first time visit with revisits showing a considerable drop to around 1%. These appliances have the potential to cause an electrical shock, fire, and even death as a result of electrocution.
Company directors and managers will know they have a “duty of care” that makes them responsible for customers and employees alike. We hope to alleviate some of this burden. Having your electrical tagging completed by Doubletick is ensuring your duty of care is fulfilled.
How often do we get this done?
It all depends on the environment the electrical item is in at the time
of testing. For example: a lead in an office environment that is sitting
against the skirting board on a piece of carpet might attract a 5 year
(the maximum length of time allowable) test and tag procedure. That same lead
could be used in a warehouse and get moved around every now and then, this
lead might now attract a 12 month tag. However if we put this same lead into
a metal fabrication workshop and the lead is now supplying power to a
grinder with sparks flying, welders and forklifts operating, this is classed
as a "Hostile Environment", this lead would almost certainly attract a 3
month test and tag procedure. It's all about safety. Safety for everyone in
the environment. Not just the user... everyone.
Free info pack. Doubletick has an info pack that could be sent to your
business. The info pack comes complete with the "Electrical Tagging
Intervals" table to help you ascertain the different environments your
work place has. Samples of our tags, copies of our insurance policies, plus
a sample of the comprehensive Asset Register that comes from doing
your electrical tagging with Doubletick.
It's our business to undertake regular electrical appliance testing. We take our business deadly serious. We know that the lives of loved ones depend on us getting the job done right the first time. We have the skill, expertise and qualifications well above the industry standard to ensure the job is done right every time.
If your a bit unsure, and would like to speak to someone about your electrical tagging requirements, get in contact with us, we'll take a look around your business, and answer any questions you may have concerning electrical tagging - FREE of any charge.
What you need to test
A few examples of items that require regular electrical testing are: