Electrical Risk Assessment in test & tag

Electrical Risk Assessment is a necessary step prior to determining a Test & Tag interval of testing

After the work area has been determined as either electrically non-hostile or hostile, a regular inspection schedule can be developed. It is recommended that regular workplace safety inspections are synchronised with the checking periods which are required for electrical equipment.

Non-hostile electrical environment This is a workplace that is dry, clean, With equipment and leads are away from danger from sharps and flexing  or anything else that may result in damage to electrical equipment or the flexible supply cord. In accordance with Safe Work Australia: Code of Practice – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace, electrical equipment used in electrically non-hostile operating environments does not require tagging. It is sufficient to visually inspect equipment and cords for damage prior to use and thereafter on a regular basis.

Hostile electrical environment This is a workplace where the equipment or appliance may be subjected to events or operating conditions which could result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected lifespan. What is a Hostile Environment? Is the electrical equipment, when used in normal operation, exposed to any of the following items that might result in damage to the equipment or reduction in its expected life span:

• Mechanical damage?
• Moisture?
• Heat?
• Vibration?
• Corrosive substances?
• Dust?
• Sharps?
• Grease/Oil?

If ‘YES’ to any of the above, the environment is considered ‘hostile’ according to the Australian Standards AS/NZS 3760  for testing & tagging.. Just as a general guide see the table Below… It is taken from the Australian Standards AS/NZS 3760  for testing and Tagging and it forms the basis of State and Industry testing and tagging requirements. Below is a key for identifying the categories in the table and the type of environment in which they are found.

coloured text = Intervals for retesting in a hostile environment.

coloured text = Intervals for retesting in a Non hostile environment.

coloured text  = Intervals for retesting for specific equipment/circumstances without regard to the environment it will be used.

Type of environment &/or equipment		Interval between inspection & tests
		Equipment including Class 1 equipment, Class II equipment, cord sets, cord extension sets & EPODs	Residual current devices (RCDs)
			Push-button test – by user		Operation time&push-button test
		Fixed	Portable
	Factories, workshop, places of manufacture, assembly, maintenance or fabrication.	6 months	Daily use, whichever is the longer	6 months	12 months	12 months
	Environment where the equipment or supply flexible cord is subject to flexing in normal use OR is open to abuse OR is in a hostile environment	12 months	3 months	6 months	12 months	12 months
	Environment where the equipment or supply cord is NOT subject to flexing in normal use & is NOT open to abuse & is NOT in ahostile environment	5 years	3 months	6 months	2 years	2 years
	Residential type areas of: hotels, residential institutions, motels, boarding houses, halls, hostels accommodation houses & the like	2 years	6 months	6 months	2 years	2 years
	Equipment used for commercial cleaning	6 months	Daily, or before every use, whichever is the longer	N/A	6 months	N/A
	Hire equipment	Prior to hire	Including push-button test by hirerprior to hire		N/A	N/A
	Hire equipment – Inspection		N/A
	Hire equipment – Test & Tag	3 months	N/A		3 months	12 months
	Repaired, serviced & second hand equipment	After repair or service which could affect electrical safety, or on reintroduction to service, refer to AS/NZS 5762.

We do the risk assessment for you of  Electrical Hazards taking in environmental concerns it can be conducted at the same time as we test and tag your Electrical Equipment. We provide a Full Report with recommedations to clear up current Hazards and how to prevent future risks. Call and ask for a quote. 040 7605568 Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide uses the very latest in Portable Appliance Testing…The STC ProLogger 2 it can perform RCD testing, Earth Leakage Detection and Run Testing all in one neat piece of equipment. On top this all our Technicians are Trained to National Standard UEENEEP008 in test & tag operations by Intertag in Sydney NSW, all our Equipment is in good repair and in Calibration. Most of all we pride ourselves on our Knowledge of OH&S legislation and the current Australiand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2010 ensuring that you get Quality Service at a competitive price. Call Now Mobile 040 7605568 Visit us at http://www.testedandtrue.com.au or our Newsletter http://testedtruenewsletter.blogspot.com/ Peter Hill Manager , Tested & True ~ test & tag Adelaide july 2014