Testing and tagging is the process of checking the safety of any item that is a portable electrical appliance. It involves two parts, a visual inspection of the device checking for any signs of damage and then testing it with a portable appliance tester. Once tested and it has been confirmed that the device is safe, a tag is placed on it to confirm this, with the next due date for its next test and tag.
Ensure Workplace Safety with testing and tagging in Victoria
At your workplace, you are responsible for the safety of everyone who works in or visits your premises, so a comprehensive program is essential to satisfy your duty of care. For compliance with testing and tagging in Victoria , you need to ensure, equipment and appliances at your workplace are tested and tagged. By demonstrating your duty of care in maintaining a safe workplace, you avoid chances of electrical injuries for employees and visitors. A regular testing, maintenance, and inspection schedule for electrical equipment ensures for everyone that the appliances at the workplace are safe for use. This helps to lower insurance premiums in certain cases, but certainly results in the reduction of incidental wear and tear. You definitely then save cost on urgent ad-hoc maintenance that may also disrupt the ongoing business operations.
Is Testing and Tagging in Victoria a law?
Unlike other states in Australia, Victorian law does not state that this is compulsory. However the legislation does state that ‘“An employer so far as reasonably practicable provides and maintains a working environment that is safe and without risk to health”. Even though testing and tagging is not a mandatory requirement, the employer does have a duty of care to ensure a safe working environment.
What equipment needs to be tested?
The equipment can be classed into two categories.
Class I : Earthed appliances e.g iron, toaster, kettle
Class II : Double insulated appliances e.g radio, blenders, blowdryer,
Please note that new equipment may nor need to be tested, and only a visual inspection is enough to tag equipment.
Any electrical appliance or equipment in the workplace that is plugged in or connected to a wall socket or a power source should meet the testing requirements.
