Whatever industry you’re in, think about safety the same way you
think about product development, distribution, marketing, sales
targets or any other management issue. Plan for it, invest in
it, manage it and regulate it -just as you would insurance. In
short, make safety an intrinsic part of managing your business.
Not only will it prevent injuries, it will also help your
bottom line.
For a start, safe workplaces are always the most efficient – the
two go hand in hand. And then there’s the serious damage a bad
accident or death could do to your business. Think about the
awful human cost. The morale of your staff. The cost of down
time. And the harm to your business reputation.
If you think it won’t happen in your industry, think again.
Every four minutes in Victoria alone, someone gets injured at
work; in businesses – just like yours.
Constantly increasing OH&S penalties and insurance requirements
in all states can also potentially devastate any business.
In the event that your negligence in this regard has contributed
to serious injury or death, the following maximum penalties may
be imposed:
• Corporations may be liable for up to $1,650,000 per
offence
• Individuals may be liable for up to $185,000 per
offence or imprisonment for 5 years
Why invest in
Appliance Tagging
OH&S legislation across Australia requires all businesses and
organisations to introduce a safety management program for
electrical appliances and equipment under plant & equipment
maintenance “duty of care” obligations. This is required for
the safety of all staff, customers and visitors.
AS/NZS 3760:2003 electrical safety standards are generally
recognized as the procedural guidelines for electrical safety
nationally. This standard specifies in-service safety
inspection and testing protocols and criteria that satisfy these
obligations, and provides a cost effective approach to safety
without jeopardizing personnel safety or involving excessive
equipment downtime.
Alternative risk assessment procedures can be used, however your
organization would be well advised to exercise caution in this
regard. If your industries generally adopted practices are to
introduce AS/NZS 3760:2003, your departure may be difficult to
justify legally in the event of a serious incident.
In most environments the generally recognised AS/NZS 3760:2003
safety protocols are the safest, most convenient and cost
effective methods available. Our standard procedure is to
introduce safety to AS/NZS 3760:2003, to protect your staff and
customers and limit your business risk.
Employers should pay particular attention to the risks where the
workplace presents an environment which is hostile to electrical
equipment. Hostile work environments may, for example, expose
electrical equipment to damage from moisture, corrosive
chemicals, heat, vibration, dust, or physical use or abuse.
Appliance Tagging Services can provide you with advice and
information on the best safety solutions for your type of
business, or community organisation.
Benefits of Appliance Testing and Tagging
Increased safety for employees, clients and third parties;
Reduced insurance premiums;
Reduced liability;
Asset Register and tracking systems;
Repairs of equipment can be made onsite to minimise down-time.
AS/NZS 3760:2003 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical
Equipment
Extract from AS/NZS 3760:2003 In-Service Safety Inspection and
Testing of Electrical Equipment
In-service testing is necessary for the safety of persons using
the equipment and for the proper discharge of the obligations of
employers and employees, as listed in legislation covering
occupational health and safety matters. This Standard specifies
in-service safety inspection and testing protocols and criteria
that satisfy these obligations, and provides a cost effective
approach to safety without jeopardizing personnel safety or
involving excessive equipment downtime.
AS/NZS 3760:2003 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of
Electrical Equipment specifies the generally observed safety
inspection and maintenance standards for Australia. This
includes the safety inspection and testing of single and
polyphase (240v – 415v) portable electrical equipment, and,
machinery connected to supply by flexible cord which is
currently in-service, returning to service, available for
re-sale or hire. Inspection and testing intervals can range from
daily, monthly, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 2 years and up to
5 yearly testing schedules.
Fixed or “hard wired” items, items at a height exceeding
2.5mtrs, and items which need to be dismantled to establish
safety of operation are not required to be tested.
Demonstration items, sample items or new stock in a retail or
warehouse outlet are also not required to be tested.
The basic tests which need to be conducted on electrical items
are visual inspection, insulation resistance, earth continuity,
polarity or earth leakage tests.
The standard requires the following record keeping to establish
the history of tests:
• A test tag attached to each item indicating date, item, person
performing, and status (pass/fail) of test
• An asset register and historical record of all test items and
test results
• A record of results including faulty item and repair action.
Guidance material available:
www.standards.com.au - Information on electrical
standards including AS/NZS 3760:2003
Under the NSW Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000 and NSW
Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001, all employers have
legal requirements in regards to providing a safe working
environment for employees. These legal requirements include the
testing and tagging of portable appliances and RCD’s within the
workplace.
With increasing obligations, employers need to cover their
liability.
A managed service program acts as a preventative measure against
legal penalties and increased levies, and satisfies insurance
policy obligations.
Profits can be increased by reducing losses through accidents
and penalties. Occupational health and safety compliance is an
investment, not an overhead.
ATS provide a cost effective and efficient service which ensures
that the employers’ responsibilities have been met.
NSW Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001 – Legislation
that relates to testing and tagging
A controller of premises must ensure
that any electrical installation at the premises is safe
at the time it is made available for use by an employer,
or
If not safe, is disconnected from the
electricity supply and secured and the employer is
informed that it is not safe.
An employer must ensure that any risk of
injury from electricity at a place of work is eliminated
or, if elimination is not reasonably practicable, the
risk is controlled.
An employer must ensure that all
electrical installations, electrical articles and
associated equipment at a place of work are safe to use
and are regularly inspected, tested and maintained to
ensure they remain safe for use and are repaired or
replaced if unsafe.
An employer must ensure that a record is
made and kept of all inspections and tests made and
maintenance carried out on electrical articles and
electrical installations required by this Part.
The relevant standard for performing
testing and tagging is AS/NZS 3760. As previously
stated, appliance and RCD testing is a mandatory process
by law. If it is not being performed, or it is not being
performed to the correct standard then there is a
possibility that fines may be issued for non-compliance.
As everyone has a duty of care in regards to ensuring
that every work place is compliant with OH&S issues it
is possible for not only the company to receive fines,
but also individuals who are deemed to have not been
fulfilling their duty of care.
Appliance Tagging Services will provide
you with:
Peace of mind that you comply with the
legislation
Occupational Health & Safety compliance
Asset register that can help manage your
assets
Certificate of Compliance
The Appliance Tagging Services
Advantage:
Your OH&S liability becomes ours
We keep track of regular testing and
manage your ongoing compliance
