FAQs on electrical safety
In what circumstances is testing and tagging of electrical appliances required?
Regulation 10.06 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 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: