Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment

Policy

This policy outlines the occupational health and safety requirements in workplaces for testing and tagging of electrical equipment.

Summary

• The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act (2004) requires the department, so far as is reasonably practicable, to provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
• The principal and/or their delegate must manage the risks with electrical equipment by ensuring that all electrical equipment is tested and tagged as per the Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Frequency Guide and all results are added on the Electrical Equipment Register or equivalent.
• Under the OHS Act 2004, employees while at work must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions.
• Central and regional offices provide a range of supports and services to assist principals and employees to be safe and well, including access to the OHS Advisory Service and local regional officers who can provide free advice on managing testing and tagging of electrical equipment.
• The Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Procedure (in the Procedure tab) must be followed, and sets out the practical step-by-step instructions for implementing this policy.
• This Policy forms part of the department’s OHS Management System, refer to OHS Management System (OHSMS) Overview for further information.

Details

The principal and/or their delegate must:

• arrange for items of electrical equipment to be tested and tagged by a competent person (that is, a licensed electrician or an individual who has completed the nationally accredited course UEERL0003 or UEENEE026A – Conduct in-service safety testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies). Both competencies are currently recognised
• ensure that newly purchased electrical equipment are recorded on the Electrical Equipment Register (DOCX) or equivalent
• arrange for testing and tagging of electrical equipment brought to the school (for example, toasters, laminators, fans and so on)
• ensure that testing and tagging of hired or loaned electrical equipment remains current and is recorded on the Electrical Equipment Register or equivalent
• ensure double adaptors are not used in any school
• ensure extension leads comply with Australian Standards and tested in accordance with the Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Frequency Guide (DOCX)
• ensure power boards comply with Australian Standards and tested in accordance with the Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Frequency Guide
• ensure items of electrical equipment that failed the electrical test or are deemed unsafe are isolated and tagged out as per the Equipment Isolation and Tag Out policy
• ensure that electrical equipment identified for disposal have been identified for any potential hazards (for example, asbestos) and disposed of according to local council requirements.

Definitions

Competent person

A person who has acquired through training or qualification the knowledge and skills appropriate to the nature to the nature of the work to be undertaken (for example, electrician, plumber, gas-fitter or service technician).

Related policies

• Equipment Isolation and Tag Out
• Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management in Schools
• OHS Risk Planning and Management
• Workplace Safety Inspections.

Relevant Legislation

• Electrical Safety Act 1998 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic).

Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Procedure

The Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Procedure must be followed, and sets out the practical step-by-step instructions for implementing this policy.

It contains the following chapters:

1. Testing and tagging of electrical equipment
2. Testing and tagging of newly purchased electrical equipment
3. Testing and tagging of electrical equipment brought into the school
4. Testing and tagging of hire and loan electrical equipment
5. Testing of flexible cords used as installation wiring
6. Double adapters and power boards
7. Extension leads
8. Faulty or damaged electrical equipment
9. Disposal of electrical equipment
10. Legislation, codes of practice, standards and guidance

1. Testing and tagging of electrical equipment

The principal and/or their delegate must arrange for items of electrical equipment to be tested and tagged by a competent person. A competent person is either a licensed electrician or an individual who has completed the nationally accredited course, UEENEE026A or UEENEEP026A – Conduct in-service safety testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies. Both competencies are currently recognised.

The principal and/or their delegate must ensure that identified electrical equipment is recorded on the Electrical Equipment Register (DOCX) or equivalent, this can include the electrical equipment test report provided by a testing and tagging contractor. If an equivalent template is used ensure it includes the following requirements:

• equipment name
• location
• test date
• next test date
• Pass/Fail
• tag number.

Electrical Equipment should be tested as per the Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Frequency Guide (DOCX).

The tag should be durable, legible, non-reusable and non-metallic. The following information should be included on the tag:

• name of competent employee or supplier who performed the test
• test date
• re-test date.

2. Testing and tagging of newly purchased electrical equipment

When the electrical equipment is new, the supplier is deemed responsible for the initial electrical safety of the equipment. New equipment need not be tested but should be examined by the principal or their delegate for obvious damage and be issued with a ‘New to Service’ tag.

Where deemed in good condition, the equipment should be tested in accordance with the testing frequency in the Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Frequency Guide (DOCX).

The following information should be included on the tag:

• wording ‘new to service’
• pass/fail
• date of entry to service
• date when next test is due.

The principal and/or their delegate should ensure that newly purchased electrical equipment are recorded on the Electrical Equipment Register (DOCX) or equivalent.

3. Testing and tagging of electrical equipment brought into the school

Employees are to obtain approval from their principal and/or their delegate (that is, the person at the school responsible for management of electrical items) if they wish to bring items of electrical equipment into the school (for example, toasters, laminators, fans).

Prior to use, the principal and/or their delegate must arrange for the electrical item to be tested and tagged. The results of the test should be recorded on the Electrical Equipment Register (DOCX) or equivalent.

4. Testing and tagging of hire and loan electrical equipment

The supplier has the responsibility of ensuring that electrical equipment is safe.

The principal and/or their delegate then assumes the responsibility for the electrical equipment hired or loaned, and must ensure that the equipment testing and tagging remains current.

The principal and/or their delegate should ensure that all hired electrical equipment are recorded on the Electrical Equipment Register (DOCX) or equivalent.

5. Testing of flexible cords used as installation wiring

Where a flexible cord (for example, power cord) is fixed or supported (for example, by a chain) and cannot be readily removed and not subject to wear and tear, it can be considered part of the installation wiring and will not require testing and tagging (for example, fixed plant that is hard wired).

The principal and/or their delegate should arrange for a visual inspection of the flexible cord to be conducted quarterly and documented in the relevant Workplace inspection checklist (DOCX).

6. Double adapters and power boards

The principal or their delegate should communicate to all employees that double adapters must not be used in schools.

The principal and/or their delegate should source power boards when additional electrical outlets are required. Power boards obtained must comply with Australian Standards, AS/NZS 3105, and be tested in accordance with the Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Frequency Guide (DOCX).

7. Extension leads

Where extension leads are used, the principal and/or their delegate must ensure that they comply with Australian Standards, AS/NZS 3199 and tested in accordance with the Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Frequency Guide (DOCX).

An extension lead should:

• have plugs with three metal cores (pins)
• be placed carefully around furniture to avoid being pinched
• preferably be secured, for example, taped to the floor or along wall edges
• not be placed near heaters
• not connected in a piggy back manner
• not placed under carpet or rugs to avoid over heating
• be selected for the intended purpose (for example, duty lead is used for outdoor/garden works).

8. Faulty or damaged electrical equipment

The principal and/or their delegate must ensure items of electrical equipment that failed the electrical test and/or are deemed unsafe are isolated and tagged out as per the Equipment Isolation and Tag Out policy.

9. Disposal of electrical equipment

The principal and/or their delegate must ensure that electrical equipment identified for disposal has been identified for any potential hazards – such as, asbestos.

Where a hazard has been identified schools should seek advice from the OHS Advisory Service on 1300 074 715 or email: safety@education.vic.gov.au

Electrical equipment should be disposed of according to local council requirements.

10. Legislation, codes of practice, standards and guidance

• AS/NZS 3760:2022: In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
• AS/NZS 3000:2018: Wiring rules (incorporating Amendment 1)
• Electrical Safety Act 1998 (Vic)
• Energy Safe Victoria – Buying safe electrical appliances
• Energy Safe Victoria – Switches, leads and power points
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice – Managing electrical risks in the workplace October 2018 (PDF)

Resources

Guides and templates relevant to this policy and procedure

• Testing and Tagging of Electrical Equipment Frequency Guide: for guidance on the testing and tagging of electrical equipment.
• Electrical Equipment Register: for recording of identified electrical equipment.