Are there any special requirements for construction work?- Top
Yes. Due to the hazardous nature of construction work regular inspection and testing of electrical equipment is warranted and must be carried out. The requirements are outlined in the WorkCover Code of Practice - Electrical practices for construction work.
Are there any special requirements for hired electrical equipment?- Top
Yes. Hired electrical equipment is used in a diverse range of working environments outside the control of the equipment owner. The equipment must be regularly inspected and tested in accordance with the requirements of the Standard, AS/NZS 3760.
Are there any special requirements for serviced or repaired electrical equipment?- Top
Yes. Electrical equipment that has been serviced or repaired which could have effected electrical safety must be inspected, tested and tagged in accordance with the requirements of the Standard, AS/NZS 3760 prior to the equipment being placed back into service.
Do I have to 'test and tag' my desktop computers and office electrical equipment?- Top
No. Not all electrical equipment requires regular testing. In some situations electrical equipment such as desktop computers and stationary office equipment does not present a risk to their operators.
This is due to:
- the permanent nature of their location
- the working environment in which the equipment is used.
In cases like these, a risk assessment should be carried out in accordance with the risk management provisions of the OHS Regulation 2001. The assessment should determine whether desktop computers - and other similar stationary office equipment - warrant regular testing and tagging as recommended by the Standard, AS/NZS 3760:2001.
Does all electrical equipment have to be tested and tagged?- Top
No, Clause 64(2) of the OHS Regulation only requires testing and tagging of those items of electrical equipment that are used for construction work or used in a hostile operating environment where the safe operation of the electrical equipment could be affected.
Note: In addition to the above legislative requirements employers may following completion of a risk assessment determine that inspection and testing of identified electrical equipment is warranted.
How often should I inspect and test my electrical equipment?- Top
The frequency of inspections that are outlined in Section 2 of the Standard, AS/NZS 3760:2001 are recommended but can be varied subject to a risk assessment that has been carried out in accordance with the risk management provisions of the Regulation.
Note: This provision does not apply to hired electrical equipment, which must be regularly inspected and tested in accordance with the Standard AS/NZS 3760:2001.
If a risk assessment has been carried and a recommendation made to vary the testing timeframes, all documentation and checklists associated with the risk assessment must be retained in accordance with the record-keeping provisions of clause 65 of the Regulation.
What electrical equipment should be inspected, tested and tagged?- Top
Some electrical equipment is used in a situation that poses a risk to the operator due to the nature of its location and the type of use.
If a risk assessment shows there is a risk to employees and others, the employer should ensure the equipment is inspected, tested and tagged in accordance with the recommendations of the Standard, AS/NZS 3760:2001.
The categories in the document below list plug-in type electrical equipment that is commonly used in a hostile working environment and does require regular inspection and testing, and provides examples of the types of electrical equipment.
Who can inspect and test electrical equipment?- Top
The inspection and testing of electrical equipment must be done by a 'competent person' as defined in the OHS Regulation 2001.
Regardless of who does the work the personnel must be authorised by the employer and must be adequately trained and instructed to do the work. Moreover, the person authorising the work must make sure that the inspection and testing program is appropriate and adequate for the needs of the workplace.
Some electrical inspection and testing tasks require a degree of technical expertise and interpretation of results and, therefore, can only be carried out by appropriately qualified personnel.
If in doubt, the person authorising the inspection and testing program must obtain advice from a person qualified in electrical matters, an electrician, electrical contractor or specialist testing provider.
Why must I inspect, test and maintain my electrical equipment?- Top
If you are an employer, you have a duty of care to ensure that employees and visitors to the workplace are safe from injury and risks to health. You must therefore manage any safety risks surrounding electrical hazards, in accordance with the requirements of the OHS Act 2000 and OHS Regulation 2001.
You must apply a systematic risk management approach to eliminate or control the risk of electrical hazards. After the risk assessment, you can then implement a range of control measures including:
- routine visual checks
- regular inspection
- maintenance
- repair
- replacement
- use of residual current devices (RCDs)
- and, where warranted, testing of identified electrical equipment.
To support the application of a risk management approach to electrical safety, you must also comply with the specific legislative requirements outlined in clauses 64 and 65 of the OHS Regulation 2001.