OH&S regulations for testing electrical equipments

Work Safe Victoria advises that electrical safety testing and tagging for all plug-in equipment. In the past, the VWA has advised all employers to introduce a safety testing protocol. In some workplaces (for example all government departments) it is now more or less mandatory that all electrical equipment be checked and "tagged" regularly.

Electrical equipment is nationally accepted as the minimum safety protocol for the workplace, and applies to plug-in or non-fixed equipment.  This requirement states that procedures for the safety inspection and testing of low voltage single phase and polyphase electrical equipment, connected to the electrical supply by a flexible cord or connecting device, and that

1. Is new equipment placed into service for the first time
2. Is already in-service
3. Has been serviced or repaired
4. Is returning to service from a second-hand sale
5. Is available for hire.

The VTHC has been advised that work-safe Victoria is now "actively enforcing the standard and inspecting all types of premises to confirm introduction of minimum safety testing programs." The standard applies to all types of electrical equipment in the company and so on ( tools, machines, computers, even jugs and cooling fans).

How often should equipment be 'tested and tagged'?

The frequency of inspections that are recommended but can be varied subject to a risk assessment that has been carried out in accordance with an appropriate risk assessment checklist or program.  The Australian standard includes a table that sets out testing and inspection intervals for various types of equipment from 3 months for equipment that is high use, high risk, or hire equipment, to up to 5 years for equipment that is not open to abuse, flexing of cords, etc. 

In addition to the regular testing and inspection, the standard specified that electrical equipment shall be inspected and tested:

• Before return to service after a repair or servicing, which could have affected the electrical safety of the equipment, and
• Before return to service from a second-hand sale, to ensure equipment is safe.

Generally the following should be followed:

• equipment, including tools and leads, on building sites: at least every quarter
• Safety Switches: monthly
• Factories, etc, equipment/machinery/tools on 'the floor': six monthly. 
• Offices (including offices in factories): every 3 to 5 years

Some safety rule 

Some safety rule OH&S gives us are:

• No touching the electrical component with wet hands when working on it.
• No eating or drinking while working on the component.
• ensure that are no loose electrical cable or wires in the walk way or hanging from the component.