Testing and Tagging is now legally required for a safe working environment for your staff and contractors.
In particular testing and tagging of electrical equipment is necessary to achieve this. The test and tag process in which all electrical appliances undergoes testing and the outcome of the testing process logged and dated and ‘ tagged’ on the appliance.
It can be quite a lot of work ensuring the health and safety requirements of your business to ensure that the work environment is safe for your staff. Employers in Australia are required by law to make sure that the workplace and any warehouse tools that are used in the place of workare not dangerousand risk free to the health of employees. Relevant information can be found in Section 21 of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004). Ensuring safe electrical appliances is one of the many areas that needs particular attention. 'Test and Tag' is the common terminology used for the process of making sure that electrical equipment and appliances are safe to use in the place of work.
To eliminate risks, employers (as a duty of care) need to evaluate and diagnose any potential dangers associated with electrical appliances that may be used, and furthermore assessing any hazards and introducing measures to remove thosedangers.
WorkSafe Victoria (australian) has advised that testing and tagging for all electrical plug-in/electrical equipment is falls under the general obligations of Section 21(2)(a)of the Act. In the past, the Victorian WorkCover Authority indicated that all employers introduce a safety testing system, and further to this the testing and tagging of all electrical appliances is now a mandatory component of the many employer safety policies. Regular Test and Tag procedures are becoming more and more adopted by employers to help ensure the workplace is safe for employees.
The testing and tagging process is notvery hard, and any competent person can be trained in becoming a testing and tagging technician. The testing equipment that is used is normally (transportable|portable}, which lets the technician to go to the location of the equipment appliance, rather that the appliance having to travel to the technician. Electrical Appliances that have been tested is then “tagged”: recording the details of the outcome and the test date. The technician should also record details of all equipment tested, and all results.
Employers have two options to choose from to “Test and Tag” electric equipmentto highlight any piece ofequipment that is faulty and requiring attention. The first option is to utilise a trained contractor. Test and Tag Melbourne has information on such contractors in Australia that will visit to your company and provide testing and tagging to satisfy your obligations. The second option is to train an employee to do the work by ensuring that a staff member successfully completes an approved course at a TAFE college and becomes appropriately trained in the use of Portable Appliance Testers.
How often should electrical appliances undergo testing and tagging?
Section 2 of the Standard, AS/NZS 3760:2006 outlines the recommended frequency of inspections, however the recommendations can be changed based on a risk assessment that has been carried out. For some equipment that is used very frequently or is considered to be high risk or equipment that is hired, the frequency|interval} of testing may be as frequently as 90 days, in contrast equipment that is used less and therefore has a a lessor risk, the frequency can be up to. also any equipment that has been repaired or serviced or is new is also required to be tested before being used.
The following lists frequency guidelines for various types of electrical appliances.
- electrical appliances (whick includes leads and other tools) used on building sites should be tested at least every 90 days
- electric equipmentused in factories should be tested every six months
- electric equipmentused in offices (including offices in factories) should be tested every 3 to 5 years
- Safety Switches should be tested every month
Testing and Tagging has become a necessary part of workplace safety, so ensure that you get in touch with your local authorities to make sure that you are meeting your legal obligations in providing a safe place of work for your staff.
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Test and Tag Melbourne providingTest and Tag Services and Information for Melbourne, Australia
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