AS/NZS3760 “In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment” is acknowledged throughout Australia as the minimum safety requirement for the workplaces. This standard applies to all types of electrical appliance including leads and power boards in offices, factories and so on (ie computers, microwaves, kettles, tools and even mobile phone chargers).
AS/NZS 3012:1995 “Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites” specifies requirements for electrical installations which supply electricity to appliances and equipment on construction and demolition sites, and for the in-service testing of portable, transportable and fixed electrical equipment used on construction and demolition sites.
Each state has different regulations in regards to frequency of testing, particularly in different environments such as construction, mining, office, school and “hostile environments”. Other states requires a risk assessment to determine frequency.
Do you know the answers to these questions?
- How often do portable electrical devices have to be tested when used in construction work?
- Do I work in a “hostile environment”?
- Are all workplaces different?
- Do RCDS need to be tested?
- Does all office equipment have to be tested?
- What is portable equipment?
- Who is allowed to test and apply tags?
- Does new equipment have to be tested and tagged?
- If I have safety switches or RCD’s do I have to test and tag?
- What is the relevant Regulation in my State?
ALLSAFE provide answers to all of these questions on their website with an excellent break down and explanation of the test and test and tag requirements in each state including a link to the relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice:
Electrical Testing and Tagging provide this comprehensive Q&A page: CLICK HERE
And from their website is a list of contacts for each of the State Electrical Authorities:
New South Wales
WorkCover NSW
92-100 Donnison Street , Gosford.
Postal Address: Locked Bag 2906, Lisarow NSW 2252
WorkCover assistance service, Phone: 13 10 50
Website: www.workcover.nsw.gov.au
Victoria
Victorian WorkCover Authority
Level 24, 222 Exhibition St
Melbourne 3000
WorkCover Advisory Service
Ph (03) 9641 1555
Fax (03) 9641 1222
Website: www.workcover.vic.gov.au
Queensland
Electrical Safety Office
Department of Industrial Relations
Level 6, Neville Bonner Building
75 William Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
Postal Address: GPO Box 69
Brisbane Qld 4001
Telephone: (07) 3237 0220
Facsimile: (07) 3237 0229
Website: www.eso.qld.gov.au.
Australian Capital Territory
ACTPLA
Central Office, Ground Floor, North,
Dame Pattie Menzies House,
16 Challis Street Dickson
Telephone: (02) 6207 1926
Fax: (02) 6207 1925
Website: www.actpla.act.gov.au
ACT Workcover
Level 4 Eclipse House
197 London Circuit
Canberra City ACT 2601
Postal Address: PO Box 224
Civic Square ACT 2608
Telephone: (02) 6205 0200
Facsimile: (02) 6205 0336
Website: www.workcover.act.gov.au
Commonwealth OH&S regulator, Comcare
Level 1, 14 Moore St
Canberra ACT 2600
Postal Address: GPO Box 9905
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: 1300 366 979
Facsimile: (02) 6257 5634
Website: www.comcare.gov.au
Tasmania
Workplace Standards Tasmania
30 Gordons Hill Rd ,
Rosny Park 7018
Postal Address: PO Box 56
Rosny Park TAS 7018
Telephone: 1300 366 322
Website: www.wsa.tas.gov.au
Northern Territory
Electrical Safety Office
Minerals House
66 The Esplanade
Darwin NT 0800
Postal Address: GPO Box 4821
Darwin NT 0801
Telephone: (08) 8999 5010
Facsimile: (08) 8999 6260
Website: www.deet.nt.gov.au/wha/pages/electrical
South Australia
Office of the Technical Regulator (SA)
Level 19 Wakefield House
30 Wakefield Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Telephone: (08) 8226 5500
Facsimile: (08) 8226 5523
Website: www.technicalregulator.sa.gov.au
Western Australia
Energy Safety Directorate
West Leederville Office (Head Office)
20 Southport Street
WEST LEEDERVILLE, Western Australia 6007
Phone: (08) 9422 5200
Facsimile: (08) 9422 5244
Website: www.energysafety.wa.gov.au
Work Safe Western Australia
5th Floor, 1260 Hay Street
WEST PERTH WA 6005
Postal Address: PO Box 294
WEST PERTH WA 6872
Telephone: (08) 9327 8777
Facsimile: (08) 9321 8973
Website: www.safetyline.wa.gov.au
New Zealand
Energy Safety Service
33 Bowen Street
Wellington, New Zealand
Postal Address: PO Box 1473
Wellington , New Zealand.
Telephone: + 64 4 472 0030
Facsimile: + 64 4 460 1365
Website: www.ess.govt.nz
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Can he mow your lawn as well?
I use Jim’s Test & Tag in Sydney the guy is very friendly and professional. Very competive prices. Ph: 131 546
I get Austest & Co – http://www.austestco.com to do all my testing & tagging every 6months. They do a great job at cheap prices.
not normally but I would do it as soon as possible anyway, all state legislation varies so you should check to make sure
Does new equipment have to be tested and tagged? Ie; Oven / stove tops new out of the box.
New blog post: Electrical Test and Tag Requirements http://www.safetyrisk.com.au/2010/07/02/electrical-test-and-tag-requirements/