FAQs

Q?How often do extinguishers require refilling and pressure testing?

Fire extinguishers require pressure testing and refilling every 5 years.

Q?How often do Emergency and exit lighting require servicing?

Emergency and Exit lighting require servicing every 6 months.

Q?How often do fire extinguishers need to be serviced?

Fire protection equipment requires servicing every 6 months.

Q?How much will it cost to have my equipment inspected and tested?

Costs vary depending on amount of tags required.

We also offer lead repair and replacement services.

This allows for repairs to be undertaken at the time of inspection and testing, so that you do not need to send elsewhere for repair.

Test Me Tag Me Services does not charge call out fees and is available 24 hours / 7 days a week.

Q?How Often Does Electrical Equipment Require Testing?

The requirement to inspect, test and tag depends on the environment that the equipment is subject to. Testing periods are usually either 3 monthly, yearly, two yearly or 5 yearly. Some items such as computer type equipment, in a non hostile environment a risk assessment and record is kept.

In some cases, trades are required to have their equipment inspected and tested monthly to meet worksite safety requirements.

For Example;

A client who owns a shed construction company has his electrical equipment tested every 3 months.. This is due to the high risk work environment in which he works. Construction industry, high probability of damage ( hazard ) occuring to the flexible lead or plug, or the plug and socket of extension leads.

A client who owns an engineering workshop where he has different work environments. A workshop of high risk, monthly. A kitchen or lunchroom where some items are 3 monthly or for his refrigerator 5 yearly. An Office, where computer equipment in a non hostile environment where items do not need to be tested but a risk assessment undertaken and a record kept.

Q?Does fixed electrical equipment require testing?

No,

Fixed or stationary electrical equipment connected to a fixed or flexible cable which is not operating in a hostile environment does not require testing.

Fixed Equipment – is fixed to a wall, support or due to its size is located in a specific location. eg. wall light with flexible cord to a power point.
Stationary equipment – is equipment having a mass in excess of 18kg and not prodided with carry handles.

Q?Does NEW electrical equipment require testing?

No,

The supplier of the equipment is deemed to be responsible for the electrical safety of the equipment in accordance with the manufacture and safe design of the equipment.

It is therefore not required to be inspected, tested and tagged.

A NEW INTO SERVICE tag is placed on the equipment to provide the tester with the required information of when the item was placed into service. The item dependent on risk or environment is than incorporated into the inspection, testing and tagging regime at the next service date.

Q?Who can inspect and test electrical equipment?

The inspection and testing of electrical equipment must be done by a “competent person”

A competent person is outlined in the Regulation as one that has aquired competency through training, qualification or experience.

Q?How long do I need to keep records for?

Records are required to be kept for a period of seven years or for the lifetime of the equipment.

Q?Do I need to keep a record of inspections, testing and tagging of my electrical equipment?

Yes,

As part of the Regulation there is a requirement of employers to keep accurate records of inspections, risk assessments, tests and maintenance carried out on electrical equipment.

The record comprises;

Name of person and / or company that undertook the inspection, testing and maintenance on the electrical equipment.
The date of inspection, testing and maintenance of the equipment.
The result of the outcome of the inspection, test or maintenance.
The date when the next inspection, test is required to be carried out.

The records are required to be kept where they are accessible by employers, managers or employees.

Workcover Inspectors also have the right to examine records kept by the employer as required in the Regulation.

Q?Does all electrical equipment need to be inspected, tested and tagged?

No, not all electrical equipment needs to be tested and tagged. Only equipment that is used in construction or industries or other work places where a hostile work environment exists needs to be inspected, tested and tagged.

Where a hostile operating environment does not exist a periodic inspection and /or a risk assessment of the electrical equipment is required to be carried out.

Q?What is a Hostile Operating Environment?

A hostile operating environment means an environment where an electrical item, in its normal use is subject to conditions that may result in damage to the item.

An example of this would be an engineering workshop where leads to electrical items may be damaged, due to contact with blades, damage to lead sockets or plugs.

A shed construction company where leads may be damaged through contact with roofing sheets, cutting or compromising insulation.

Q?What are the Legislative requirements regarding testing and tagging?

If you are an employer or self employed person, you have a duty of care to ensure that your employees and visitors to your work site or work place, are safe from risks to their safety and health. You must therefore, manage any risks to safety or injury, in accordance with the OH&S Act (2000) and the Regulation.

Clause 64 (2) requires;

That all electrical equipment used in construction work is regularly inspected, tested and is deemed safe to use.
That all electrical equipment used in a place of work that could be affected by a “hostile work environment” is regularly inspected, tested and deemed safe to use.
That all electrical equipment at a work place that is deemed to be unsafe is disconnected from the electrical supply, repaired, replaced or removed permanently.

Clause 65 (1) requires;

An employer to ensure that an accurate record is kept of all inspections, tests and maintenance undertaken on electrical equipment.