Common Law requires Testing and Tagging to ensure workplace safety
In particular testing and tagging of electric appliances is necessary to achieve this. Testing and tagging is a process in which all electrical equipment undergoes testing and the results of the testing process logged and dated and ‘ tagged’ on the equipment.
It can be quite an onerous task to meet the health and safety requirements of your business to ensure that the work place is safe for your staff. Employers in Australia are required by law to ensure that the workplace and any plant appliances that are used in the workplaceare not dangerousand without risk to the health of staff. Relevant information can be found in Section 21 of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004). Ensuring the safety of all electrical appliances is one of the many areas that needs particular focus. ‘Test and Tag‘ is the common terminology used to describe the process of ensuring that electrical equipment and appliances are have no risk to use in the factory, warehouse or office.
To remove risks, employers are duty bound to (recognize~identify~evaluate and diagnose} any potential hazards and risks associated with electrical appliances that may be used, and furthermore assessing any dangers and introducing actions to eliminate those(dangers~ risks}.
WorkSafe Victoria (in Australia) has advised that testing and tagging for all electrical appliances is falls under the general obligations of Section 21(2)(a)of the Act. Prior to this,Previously, the Victorian WorkCover Authority let us know that all employers introduce a safety testing protocol, and further to this the testing and tagging of all electric equipment is now a compulsory component of the many employer safety policies. Regular Test and Tag procedures are becoming more and more adopted by companies to help ensure the workplace is safe for employees.
To Test and Tag equipment is notvery onerous, and any competent person can be trained in becoming a test and tag technician. The equipment used is generally (transportable~portable}, allowing the technician to go to the location of the equipment appliance, rather that the appliance going to the technician. Electrical Appliances that have been tested is then “tagged:” logging the details of the outcome and the test date. The technician should also record details of all electrical appliances tested, and the results.
There are two options that employers can choose from to “Test and Tag” electric appliancesto highlight any equipment that is faulty and requiring attention. Option one is to hire a trained contractor. Test and Tag Melbourne has details of such contractors in Australia that will visit to your premises and provide testing and tagging to satisfy your obligations. Option two is to train an employee to do the work by ensuring that an employee successfully completes an approved course at a TAFE college and becomes appropriately trained in the use of Portable Appliance Testers.
How often should electric appliances be ‘tested and tagged’?
Section 2 of the Standard, AS/NZS 3760:2006 outlines the recommended frequency of inspections,although these can be modified depending on a risk assessment that has been carried out. For some equipment that is used very frequently or is assessed as high risk or equipment that is hired, the frequency~interval} of testing may be as often as three months, in contrast equipment that is used less and therefore has a a smaller risk, the frequency can be up to. In addition any appliance that has been serviced, repaired or has just been bought is also required to be tested before being returned to service.
The following lists frequency guidelines for various types of electrical appliances.
- electrical equipment (including leads and other tools) used in workplaces should be tested at least every three months
- electrical appliancesused in factories should be tested every 180 days
- electrical appliancesused 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 environment for your employees and contractors. See Test and Tag Melbourne for more informattion on testing and tagging
