Test and Tag
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you’re responsible for electrical equipment in a workplace, construction site or commercial property, you may have questions about Test and Tag requirements, testing frequencies and electrical safety obligations. Understanding when equipment needs to be tested and tagged can help you maintain a safer workplace and ensure your electrical equipment is properly managed.
At TGA Electrical, we provide professional Test and Tag services in Mackay and surrounding areas, helping businesses identify electrical equipment that may be damaged, faulty or unsafe to use. Our team can test a wide range of portable electrical equipment, power tools, extension leads and appliances.
Below, we answer some of the most common questions about Test and Tag, including how often equipment should be tested, what equipment requires testing and what happens when an item fails a test.
Any electrical item that has a power lead that is plugged into a power point needs to be inspected, tested and tagged on a regular basis. The frequency of testing depends on the type of environment and / or equipment.
The table below outlines requirements in Australia.
|
Type of environment and/or equipment (a) |
Equipment including Class I equipment, Class II equipment, cord sets, cord extension sets and EPOD's (b) |
|
1. Factories, workshops, places of work or repair manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or fabrication |
6 months |
|
2. 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. Environment where the equipment or supply cord is NOT subject to flexing in normal use and is NOT open to abuse and is NOT in a hostile environment |
5 years |
|
4. Residential type areas of hotels, residential institutions, motels, boarding houses, halls, hostels, accommodation houses, and the like |
2 years |
|
5. Equipment used for commercial cleaning |
6 months |
|
6. Hire Equipment – Inspection Hire Equipment – Test and Tag |
Prior to hire 3 months |
|
7. Repaired, serviced and second-hand equipment |
After repair or service which could affect electrical safety, or on reintroduction to service, refer to AS/NZS 5762 |
On average we can test and tag approximately 15 items an hour. This can increase or decrease depending on easy of access to an item or if we have previously barcoded an item. If an item has been previously barcoded the process is usually quicker.
As soon as you start using an item, it needs to be tagged according to the requirements of AS/NZs 3760.
As soon as you start using an item, it needs to be tagged according to the requirements of AS/NZs 3760.