Frequently Asked Questions - Electrical Safety
In what circumstances is testing and tagging of electrical appliances required?
Regulation 10.06 of the Safety Standards Regulations requires regular inspection and testing, by a competent person, of electrical equipment that is supplied with electricity through an electrical outlet socket and is either:
- used in construction work; or
- is located at a workplace where the equipment's safe operation could be affected by a hostile operating environment.
Tagging is one means of making clear that equipment has been tested. Where inspection and testing is required tagging and recording of inspection and testing activities in a log book is recommended.
A 'hostile operating environment' is one in which the normal operation of the equipment takes place in operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment, or its insulation, or other protection.
Regulation 10.02 defines the term 'competent person'.
Employers may use a risk management process to determine whether there is a hostile operating environment at their workplace. Please refer to Comcare's guidance on risk management Identifying hazards in the workplace (OHS10) [256 kb].
Note: where there is a reference to the 'OHS Act', it refers to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. Where there is a reference to the 'Safety Standards Regulations', it refers to the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994.
Page last updated:July 31, 2008