Electrical Safety and WHS Regulations
Much has been talked about with the 2012 introduction of the model WHS legislation in Australia. Designed to reduce the complexity businesses operating across state borders, the model WHS legislation is, in theory, a no-brainer.
As it stands, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory are the only states to have adopted the model WHS regulations. Western Australia are undecided, and Victoria have chosen not to implement them at all citing the implementation costs business would face if introduced in that state .
The much needed removal of complexity is still a long way off, and the area of electrical safety legislation is just as confusing as ever. But, don’t be fooled – even if all States did eventually adopt the model WHS regulations, there would still be State specific differences.
Let’s look at the model WHS regulations where Safe Work Australia has attempted to clear up some of the confusion surrounding testing and tagging. These regulations are far more prescribed than previous. The regulations state all appliances located in a hostile operating environment must be inspected tested and tagged regularly by a Competent Person and a record maintained of the testing. All items not located in these environments should be the subject of a documented risk assessment, which may in fact recommend the testing and tagging of the appliance.
A Hostile environment is one that is exposed to heat, dust, moisture, corrosion, abrasion or vibration. As an example, this includes kitchens, tea rooms, poorly designed work stations with leads on the floor, training rooms and laptops, along with all manufacturing environments. There are specific Codes of Practice for the Construction Industry which also specifies mandatory testing and tagging of portable electrical appliances.
With regards to RCD (Safety Switch testing) the model WHS regulations state that all circuits operating in a Hostile environment must be protected by an RCD. That RCD must then be tested regularly in accordance with the Australian Standard, AS/NZS 3760:2010.
AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment specifies the safety inspection and maintenance standards for Australia and New Zealand. It is vital to remember that the Standard should be read in conjunction with both National and state specific legislation as testing and retesting requirements detailed in legislation will still vary upon your state of operation.
In Victoria, the OH&S Act 2004 specifies that “An employer so far as reasonably practicable, provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is safe and without risk to health”. The Victorian Electrical Safety Act 1998 also states that all second hand equipment being made available for sale must be inspected tested and tagged prior to sale. Similar electrical safety legislation also exists in Western Australia, Tasmania and in South Australia where the testing of RCD’s in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 is detailed. WA and Tasmania will adopt the National WHS regulations in 2013, whilst Victoria will not, and South Australian implementation is in doubt.
Even with the introduction of the model WHS regulations in QLD, the legislation surrounding Testing and Tagging is covered by the Electrical Safety Regulations 2013. This detailed legislation is based on “Classes of Work”, and dictates the retest frequencies associated with the testing of appliances within each class of work. The classes of work are categorised as Construction Work, Manufacturing Work, Office Work / Service Work, Amusement Work and Rural Industry Work. The legislation also specifies the requirements of RCD installation and testing under AS/NZS 3760, along with requirements surrounding double adaptors and piggy back plugs for different classes of work.
In addition, it is also a requirement under the QLD Electrical Safety Act for a test and tag service provider to be deemed competent and hold a Restricted Electrical Contractors license.
Who is responsible for testing and tagging?
AS/NZS 3760:2010 makes specific references to the responsibilities of ‘the responsible person’ to ensure the competency of technicians undertaking a test and tag program. The responsible person is the owner of the premises, equipment or, under new WHS regulations is the PCBU or Officer deemed to be responsible for the safety of the workplace.
One of the most important areas of competency is the understanding of the Standard. All ‘responsible persons’ should ensure their test and tag provider owns a current copy of AS/NZS 3760 and understands its contents, and not just the retest frequencies.
It is also worth checking your test and tag provider holds both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurances.
Information on Tag
An addition has been made to assist workplaces in easily identifying when their appliances are due for retesting. AS/NZS 3760:2010 now specifies that the retest date must be added to the durable, non-reusable, non-metallic tag placed on the item after testing. This is in addition to the requirement for Technician/Company Name, Test or Inspection Date, and whether the item passed or failed testing.
New to Service
In NZ, all new items must be tested and tagged before they are introduced to service. There is a requirement in Australia for all new items being introduced to service to be tagged with a New to Service tag. The tag must state the item is “New to Service”, it must state the date of entry to service, the date it will be tested, and that “This appliance has not been tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760”.
Leased Equipment
In some workplaces, leased appliances such as vending machines, water coolers, computers, photocopiers and the like, have not been included in a test and tag program as they have been incorrectly thought of as ‘exempt’ or the responsibility of the lessor. AS/NZS 3760:2010 now specifically states that the hiree or the lessee is responsible for the inspection testing, and tagging of hired and leased equipment while the equipment is in their possession.
TAKING ELECTRIC SHOCK SERIOUSLY
Many people have been caught out with a ‘one size fits all’ approach to testing and tagging. For example, the equipment used in a workshop of a Manufacturing facility should be tested on a 6 monthly basis, and unscrupulous test and tag providers have been known to test the entire facility on a 6 monthly basis. It’s no wonder some businesses believe Testing and Tagging is simply an on cost and not a program that has, and will continue to save lives.
Its important to remember, that even in a non Construction environment, up to 10% of appliances fail first round testing and all of those appliances have the potential to kill.
Electricity is not visible and most people have an ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude when it comes to electric shock. Providing a safe workplace is mandatory, regardless of attitudes and misconceptions about electricity, and the sometimes blatant disregard of the seriousness of an electric shock.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Allen on 1300 287 669, by email sarah@ats.com.au or visit www.appliancetaggingservices.com.au
Modified from an article by Sarah Allen in Safety Solutions Magazine 2012
