Who Can Test and Tag Electrical Equipment?

ElectroTechnics • July 24, 2022

In order to ensure the safety of employees and customers, electrical equipment and safety switches must be regularly tested and tagged. Many businesses don't have the resources or knowledge to test and tag their own equipment, so they turn to a professional testing and tagging service.

Who Can Test and Tag Electrical Tools and Equipment?

The requirements for electrical appliance testing and tagging vary considerably by state and territory. Before you do any testing or tagging, you must ensure that the person you hire is qualified and has all the appropriate electrical work licence and permits.

According to AS/NZS 3760:2010, only a "competent person" can test and tag electrical tools and equipment. So, what exactly is a competent person? A competent person is defined as someone who:

has the knowledge and experience to test equipment safely and effectively
has been trained in accordance with AS/NZS 3012:2010 'Training courses for persons carrying out electrical equipment testing'
holds a current licence from an Australian licensing authority, if required by the state or territory in which they are working

If you're hiring someone to test and tag your electrical appliances, you should always ask to see their qualifications and licences. This will help ensure that they are competent and capable of doing the job safely.

Why Is It Important to Test and Tag Electrical Equipment?

Testing and tagging are vital parts of maintaining a safe workplace. Electrical equipment and safety switches can deteriorate over time, which can lead to unexpected failures that could result in injuries or even death. By regularly testing and tagging your electrical equipment, you can identify any potential hazards before they cause harm.

In addition to ensuring the safety of employees and customers, there are also legal requirements for testing and tagging electrical equipment. The Work Health and Safety Regulations require all businesses to maintain their electrical equipment in a safe condition. This includes regular testing and tagging by a competent person.

Failing to test and tag electrical equipment and safety switches can result in heavy fines and, in some cases, jail time. If someone is injured as a result of faulty electrical equipment, you could also face a lawsuit.

So, it's important to make sure that your electrical equipment is regularly tested and tagged by a qualified person. This will help keep your workplace safe and ensure that you're complying with the law.

How Often Should Electrical Equipment be Tested and Tagged?

The frequency of testing and tagging will depend on the type of equipment and the environment it's used in.

Generally speaking, electrical equipment that is used regularly should be tested and tagged every three to six months. This includes items such as power tools, extension cords, and portable RCDs.

For electrical equipment that is used less often, such as heaters and air conditioners, you may only need to test and tag them once a year.

You should also consider the environment in which your electrical equipment is used. If it's exposed to dust, dirt, or other potentially harmful substances, it will need to be tested more frequently.

For construction work, transportable structures, fixed and transportable equipment and construction wiring must be tested every six months.

If you're unsure how often your electrical equipment needs to be tested and tagged, you should speak to a qualified professional.

How to Find a Professional to Test and Tag Your Equipment?

If you need to find a professional to test and tag your electrical appliances, there are a few things you can do.

First, you can ask around for recommendations. If you know someone who has used a testing and tagging service before, they may be able to give you the name of a good company.

You can also search online for testing and tagging services in your area. This is a good way to find several companies that you can compare and contrast.

When searching for a testing and tagging service, it's important to make sure that they are qualified and licensed. You should also ask about their rates so that you can get an idea of how much it will cost.

Once you've found a few companies that you're interested in, you can contact them and ask for more information.

Conclusion

Testing and tagging electrical equipment is a vital part of maintaining a safe workplace. Only a qualified and competent person should carry out this work, and it should be done at regular intervals. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure the safety of your employees and customers, and avoid any legal penalties.

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