Electrical Testing & Tagging

Electrical Testing & Tagging is literally the inspection, testing and labelling of all electrical appliances located in any workplace. WorkCover states that, "under the duty of care for health and safety in the workplace, all electrical equipment of the plug-in type is required to be inspected and tested periodically.

The guidelines under which this form of testing is mandatory are found in the Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3760) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (Chapter 4, Division 8). This means that it is a legislative obligation for all employees to ensure that appliances in their workplaces are safe to use.

The instrument used in the testing process is called a PAT (portable appliance tester), an electronic device that tests appliances that are plugged into it. WorkCover states that the use of the testing instrument must be conducted by a trained and competent person.

The integrity and determining factors for the test result of any appliance is also governed by the Regulation, which states that the following tests must be performed:

A physical inspection of the appliance
An insulation test of the appliance
An Earth Circuit test of the appliance
The continuity of the appliance
A functional test of the appliance
A Polarity Wire test of the appliance

Visual testing of any appliance in a workplace must include an inspection of:

Any obvious external damage
Defective accessories plugs and socket outlets
Any loose or defective connectors
Supply cords
Flexible cords to be securely anchored
Power boards and indicators of their maximum load
Cords, ensuring that they aren't exposed or tangled creating a trip hazard
Appliances, ensuring that they are ventilated and not likely to cause a fire hazard

Barcodes are also required by WorkCover to have a minimum amount of information stored on them. These must include:

Site name
Location / Building Identification
Appliance description
Appliance Asset Identity
Inspection test date
Next inspection test date
Results of inspection / test

If any tested item is found to be faulty, or is given a 'failed' result, then the workplace is responsible for removing this item from continued use. A 'failed-do not use' tag must be attached to the appliance to avoid accident or injury. This appliance is then able to be repaired by the technician (if it is only a minor fault) or must be decommissioned (if the fault is too unsafe to be repaired).

All workplaces have differing test intervals. Builders, for example, must have their tools tested every month. Industrial kitchens must have their appliances tested every six months. Office and administration areas must be tested every twelve months.

Records of the data collected from your worksite must be kept for a period of seven years, as proof that you have complied with WorkCover obligations.

The Safety Procedures Difference
Safety Procedures Australasia is proud to be at the forefront of the Testing & Tagging industry in this country. The PAT Testing machines that we use, developed in Europe and modified to suit Australian requirements, are some of the most advanced testers in use today. Our qualified technical analysts are trained in the use of this machine, as well as having Electrical Contractor licenses.

The differences between our company and other testing and tagging businesses are many. Below are some of the distinctions that make Safety Procedures Australasia superior to other companies:

SPA have successfully tested over 300 businesses, large and small, in the last twelve months
Our PAT instruments are State of the Art, ensuring the most accurate test result possible
Our technicians are not only PAT trained, but have Electrical Contractor Licenses
Our technicians are professionally uniformed and identifiable, ensuring your peace of mind
Our technicians have all been cleared to work with children, guaranteeing everyone's safety
Small appliance faults can be repaired on the spot, with productivity loss avoided
Clear and obvious 'Danger' tags are displayed on failed items, guaranteeing your safety
Our barcodes include the mandatory minimum information, but also include a unique appliance identification number and the technician's name, guaranteeing total accountability for all tests
Our head office maintains your test data on record, in the event that your copy is lost or damaged
Data is continually maintained and updated in strict privacy by us for a period of seven years
This operation is no mess, no fuss, and no disruption to your business flow
Our 'per test' rate is guaranteed to be competitive, and value for money is guaranteed

The comprehensive booklet that Safety Procedures Australasia produces for our clients is thoroughly detailed and informative, creating an asset register, list of passed and failed items, detailed list of repairs and total charges. This style of data recording and management is not performed by any other company in Australasia. Complementary to your data produced in hard-copy, you will be issued with a CD copy of your data recordings, and a framed Certificate of Compliance to hang in your workplace.

The physical result of the testing process is a bar-coded tag, attached to the appliance following testing. All appliances are issued with their own asset number, which means that we can track the location and performance of each electrical item in your workplace.

This information means one thing for our clients: Safety Procedures Australasia Pty Ltd guarantee to offer better prices, superior service and customer satisfaction every time.

Please contact Safety Procedures Australasia if we can assist you in any of your workplace first aid training, if you require a quotation, or if you have any other enquiries.