Does second-hand electrical equipment require testing?

	The OCEI (Office of Chief Electrical Inspector) has initiated a program to ensure all relevant suppliers of second-hand electrical equipment sold to the general public, are required to ensure these items for sale are tested and appropriately labelled.
	You will notice that Charity shops and most Op Shops rarely sell second-hand electrical equipment now that awareness has been made of the risks involved.

Won't the circuit breaker in the switchboard protect me from electrical shock?

People should be aware that the fuses or circuit breakers on your switchboard are not designed to protect you from electrical shock; they are designed to protect the circuit wiring of the building from fire and short circuit.

Why can't I piggyback power-boards and double adaptors?  

	Piggybacking of power-boards is not recommended as this can cause excessive heat and may cause current overload. If you frequently need to plug in additional items, ATS can arrange for a registered electrician to install an extra power point.
	Double adaptors are also not recommended and should be replaced by an approved power-board (EPOD) with a surge protection device and RCD fitted.  ATS can provide you with suitably tested and tagged power boards at a very competitive rate.

Does my business need to undertake electrical equipment safety tests? 

All businesses have a Duty of Care under Occupational Health and Safety legislation, and as such need to provide a safe workplace for their employees. The safety inspection and testing of all single and polyphase electrical equipment in all workplaces is the responsibility of every business under the responsibilities of OH&S legislation.  Electrical testing and tagging forms part of your workplace risk assessment.

There are hefty penalties for employers and all levels of management where inadequate safety leads to the injury or death of a worker.

How does automated testing work out to be less expensive than manual “mega” testing? 

ATS have invested in superior equipment and developed computerised reporting & data management systems to replace outdated manual “mega” testing and manual reports for appliance testing. Manual processes cannot compete with the speed, accuracy and efficiency of our advanced expert safety programs and are not auditable.

What are the Costs? 

	Our cost structure is entirely based on unit tests so you only pay for the number of tests we perform at your premises. This test rate includes all labour, test equipment, tamperproof tags, overlays, computerised reporting services and Electrical Safety Manual as required.
	For a detailed individual quotation please contact us on our National Safety Hotline 1300 ATS NOW

What equipment needs testing? 

	“If it plugs in test it!”  All electrical items designed for connection by flexible supply cord and plug top to 240v or 415v volt power needs to be tested in every type of workplace, organisation, or community centre.
	ATS has the capacity and experience to test everything electrical in every possible type of workplace with complete safety and without fear of damage - guaranteed!
	Additional testing GENERATORS Has your generator been earthed? All generators should be earthed at all times. It is easy to overlook this simple safety action when starting up a generator. A 240 Volt generator conducts the same type of power as supplied to your location, earthing of the generator may help protect from serious injury.  ATS have qualified electricians to assist you with this.   POWER SUPPLIES Some importers of extra-low voltage electrical devices may be supplying them with unapproved and potentially dangerous power supplies or chargers. If you have a suspect item, please discontinue its use immediately or have it tested.   Dangerous power supplies and battery chargers that can be found with electronic games, cordless drills, rechargeable torches, etc. must be tested and approved for supply in Australia. Approved devices must exhibit the approval markings allocated by the approving authority. The markings may be alphanumeric format comprising of the first letter of the state of the issuing authority followed by between one and six digits.   Non compliant power supplies pose serious risks including electric shock, fire and damage to connected equipment.   INTERNATIONAL ADAPTORS  Travel adaptors used to accommodate non-standard plug-pin configuration may in be poorly designed and constructed, proving a hazard in itself. Make sure that they comply by having them checked by a qualified ATS Technician.   EARTH LEAKAGE CURRENT DEVICES  Earth Leakage Current Devices are designed to protect persons from electrocution when a fault occurs. These should be checked on a regular basis by a qualified ATS Technician.   DOUBLE INSULATED (2 PIN) APPLIANCES  What is a double insulated appliance? E.g. a drill, angle grinder, kitchen appliances, that only has two pins (an active and a neutral) and sometimes may have an earth pin which is not connected. These items usually have the markings of a square box within a square box or double D, stating that it is double insulated.    Double insulated appliances should be tested as per all other portable electrical appliances in accordance with AS/NZS 3760:2003.   PORTABLE RCD UNITS  Portable RCD units are recommended to be used when using any power tool inside or out as these devices are designed to trip in 30 milliseconds or under which will most likely save you from an electric shock and will trip before your circuit breakers.  ATS can supply your workplace with portable RCD’s to satisfy your legal “duty of care” under OH&S Legislation.

Who can perform testing? 

	a licensed electrician
	a “competent person” who has sufficient knowledge and training on a continuing basis to undertake current inspection and test procedures

How frequently do I need to test?

	AS/NZS 3760:2003 is specific about re-inspection protocols which vary according to the location of equipment, the environment in which it must operate, and the level of risk associated with use.
	Testing of appliances and items varies from daily in extreme circumstance, monthly, three monthly, six monthly, yearly, two-yearly or five-yearly. . In the majority of business situations, testing is required yearly for some items and 5 yearly for items in use in a low risk environment.  Timeframes and environments are outlined in Table 4 of the standard.
	Ensure your service provider is knowledgeable and accurate about re-inspection time frames as failing to inspect in accordance to the time frames scheduled in Table 4 of AS/NZS 3760: 2003 (below) means you are failing to comply with the safety requirements of maintaining a safe workplace.
	ATS offer a reminder service to ensure you are always compliant with AS/NZS 3760:2003.
	Click to download the test interval table:

What is appliance testing and tagging?

Testing and tagging is the procedure for the safety checking of electrical appliances. All workplaces Australia-wide must be able to demonstrate safe systems of work, including electrical safety. Portable appliances such as power tools and kettles are items that are most frequently handled by workers, and are also the most open to abuse and hostile environmental conditions which can cause them to become electrically unsafe.

Testing and Tagging is a strategy which minimises the risk of electrical shock to workers. Each piece of equipment is inspected, electrically tested, and then tagged at regular intervals. A record of these tests is kept as part of your overall OH&S risk management documentation.

What are your hours of operation?

ATS operates flexible hours to suit your needs. We can arrange to visit your workplace after hours or on the weekend to ensure there is minimal disruption to your business.

What is the relevant Australian Standard for testing of portable electrical appliances?

Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760: 2003 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment is the relevant standard for the safety inspection and testing of electrical appliances.

We have a "Safety Switch" installed. Aren't we protected?

No, not entirely. A "Safety Switch" or Residual Current Device (RCD) only protects against certain types of electrical faults. It is recommended that all homes and workplaces be fitted with RCDs. The use of an RCD however, is no excuse for complacency when it comes to the regular inspection and testing of your electrical appliances.

Does our "Safety Switch" (RCD) need regular testing?

Yes. Your RCDs need to be tested to ensure that they will respond to a fault situation quickly enough, and before there is enough current flowing to give a person a dangerous electric shock. ATS can test your RCDs to ensure that they comply with the standard.

Our power tools and appliances have worked fine for years. How can anything be wrong with them?

Appliances can still function when they are unsafe. Here are two common scenarios:   a) The Earth (Green) wire (inside the cord) becomes severed or detached from the metal appliance casing. In this case, the appliance will still appear to function normally. However, if a fault occurs and electrical current flows to the metal casing, a person who touches the appliance will suffer an electric shock.   b) The cord of a frequently used appliance such as a power drill becomes worn internally. The cord looks normal on the outside, but inside, the copper wires protrude through the insulation, and begin to short circuit. There is a real risk of an electrical fire in this case.

What about appliances at home?

Electrical safety is just as important in the family home as it is in the workplace. You can help to keep your family safe from electrical shock or electrical fire by having your appliances checked. Changing your appliance plugs to the new, insulated pins plugs will help to reduce the risk of electric shock. ATS can also change the plugs on your 230V appliances from UK, Europe, Hong Kong, etc to Australian Standard plugs, and safety test each appliance.

What types of portable electrical appliances require testing?

	Laptop Computers
	Desktop computers and monitors
	Printers
	Photocopiers
	Fax machines
	Staff kitchen & tea room appliances
	Electric power tools
	Extension cords
	Power boards
	All double insulated appliances
	Audio/visual apparatus
	Residual current devices (RCD's) – Safety Switch
	Portable air conditioners
	Isolation transformers
	Desk lamps
	Vacuum cleaners
	Fork lift chargers
	i.e. all portable plug in appliances and electrical plug in appliances situated less than 2.5ms from the ground

What sort of faults and hazards do ATS find in the workplace?

	Hazards may include:
	Frayed cords
	Wiring faults
	Safety switches not working
	Earthing system faulty
	Incorrect wiring
	Unsafe environment
	Exposure to moisture

In order to satisfy OH&S Legislation, what areas of the workplace need to be tested and tagged?

	Electrical equipment inspection, testing and tagging needs to cover all places where equipment is located, including:
	Office,
	Factory,
	Laboratory,
	Workshop,
	Classroom / training room,
	Construction,
	Temporary locations

What should you expect from a quality service provider?

	Your service provider should give you specialist knowledge, expertise and help in meeting compliance obligations, not just tags on cords. It’s the same knowledge, expertise and capability you will need if you wish to develop and manage your needs internally.
	OH&S compliance is a complex area. There are no codes of conduct yet, and your service provider should be familiar with your obligations and be able to educate you about them.
	A knowledgeable service provider should be able to explain the relevant parts of state specific OH&S Legislation and AS/NZS3760:2003, and also employ expertly trained technicians with the expertise required to answer all your questions on site.

Will the testing damage equipment?

No. ATS technicians are expertly trained with many years of experience.

How long will testing take?

ATS technicians operate efficiently and generally each item will take several minutes to test.

Will I need to turn equipment off?

	Generally, equipment will need to be turned OFF prior to testing.
	Why do some of my items have a Danger tag? Items with a danger tag have failed mandatory testing. They must either be repaired or replaced before reintroduction to the workplace.

What do I do when I purchase new portable electrical appliances?

ATS provide you with complementary New to Service tags. Newly purchased items do not need to be tested upon purchase; however they do need to be tagged upon introduction to the workplace to indicate when they are required to be tested next.

Can I get a new copy of my Electrical Safety Manual?

Yes, ATS can provide you with a new Electrical Safety Manual upon request.  There will be a small charge for a new hard copy manual; however we can provide complimentary electronic manuals via email or CD.

How do I go about getting my site tested?

Contact ATS now on 1300 ATS NOW (1300 287 669) and a friendly ATS consultant will make all the appropriate arrangements to ensure your compliance with AS/NZS 3760:2003.

How do the changes to NSW OH&S Legislation affect me?

	On April 28, the NSW Minister for Commerce, John Della Bosca, announced simplified safety regulations for electrical equipment in the workplace.
	An extract from this media release is below:
	“The OHS Amendment (Electrical Equipment) Regulation 2006 now specifically identifies areas where testing and tagging is required, such as construction sites and other hostile operating environments,” he said.  “WorkCover recognises that in many work environments, certain electrical equipment does not warrant a rigorous inspection and testing procedure due to its inherent low level of risk,” said the Minister.  “The new regulation targets the types of equipment and work situations which WorkCover requires to be tested and tagged to secure the health and safety of workers,” said the Minister.  Electrical equipment used in construction work must be regularly inspected and tested in accordance with the WorkCover Code of Practice – Electrical practices for construction work.  Equipment that is on hire, or has been repaired, must also be inspected and tested regularly in accordance with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760:2001. The new legislation defines a Hostile Operating Environment in this extract below:
	Clause 64 (3)
	Insert after clause 64 (2) (but before the maximum penalty amount):
	(3) In this clause, hostile operating environment means an operating environment at a place of work where an electrical article is in its normal use subjected to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the article, and, for example, includes an operating environment that may:
	(a) cause mechanical damage to the article, or
	(b) expose the article to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive substances or dust that is likely to result in damage to the article.
	Whilst many workplaces believe that theirs is not a hostile operating environment, consider this:
	Power boards under office desks are exposed to dust and are constantly kicked – Appliance Tagging Services find 5% of all power boards fail testing.
	Under desk areas are havens for discarded staples and dust – all the right ingredients for electrical disaster!
	The average office kettle is plugged in over 30 times per day adding considerable stress to the electrical components.
	10% of individual under desk office heaters tested are failed due to melted wiring and power cord damage.
	Legislation also states that you are not required to test and tag your appliances if you have completed a documented risk assessment for each item.
	Whilst ultimately the choice is yours, ATS recommends that appliance testing and tagging is not only a more efficient process than a documented risk assessment on each item, it also has the benefit of ensuring workplace safety.
	Are you willing to take the risk with your employees?
	Now is the time to ensure each and every one of your employees “PLUG IN SAFE”TM

Do I need to change my plug tops to the new Insulated Pin Plug Tops?

	New rules have been introduced to prevent situations where either children's fingers or a metal object (eg: steel ruler or part of an aluminium ladder) come into contact with the pins of a plug which is partially inserted into a live socket.  Whilst there is no requirement to change all existing appliances to these new plug tops, all new appliances are required to have the new plug tops fitted.
	ATS recommends that all parents with young children consider having the plugs on their older appliances changed to the new style of insulated pin plug.
	We also recommend that people who use power tools near aluminium ladders have the plugs on their tools and extension leads changed to the new style.