5 good reasons your business needs a test tagging schedule

One of the most important obligations you have as an employer or business owner is to protect the health and safety of your employees, clients and any other person who enters your premises. Failing to take the requisite steps to ensure the safety of a workplace can result in serious penalties and even in criminal charges, which is why it is essential that business owners know what their duties are in relation to WH&S. In the following, we set out your obligations regarding electrical safety and the reasons your business needs a test tagging schedule

1. Firstly, it’s the law!

If your business has electrical equipment that is supplied with electricity through an electrical socket and is used in an environment where it is exposed to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment you must “make sure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person” (SafeWork NSW).

A ‘competent person’ is defined as someone who, through training, qualification or experience, has acquired the skills and knowledge to carry out testing of electrical equipment. This includes: a licensed or registered electrician; a licensed electrical inspector; or a person who has successfully completed a structured training course and has been deemed competent in the use of a pass/fail type portable appliance tester and the visual inspection of electrical equipment (Safe Work Australia Fact Sheet).

The frequency of your test tagging schedule depends on the kind of business you run, with the requirements set out in AS/NZS 3760:2010. High risk environments, such as workshops and factories, need to be tested every six months, while low risk (‘non-hostile’) environments, such as an office, should be tested every five years. If you are unsure about the appropriate schedule for your workplace, get in touch with the experts at Caslec and we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know.

2. Improves electrical safety

Clearly, adhering to a test tagging schedule not only ensures you are compliant with the law, it also means that the electrical safety in your workplace is maintained at a high standard. There are also a series of daily or weekly checks you can undertake yourself that do not require an electrician and that add to the overall safety of your workplace.

For example, managers or owners should regularly inspect for bends or cracks in cords and sparking or burn marks on power sockets. Keeping power cords, connections and sockets clear of dust, grime and moisture is another factor that reduces the risk of fire or breakdown. You should also provide an adequate number of power sockets and keep cords away from machinery and walkways as much as possible. Staying on top of the condition of your electrical equipment over and above your test tagging schedule means you can address issues as they arise, save time and money in the long run, and significantly add to the overall safety of your workplace.

3. Reduces risk of fire

Damaged or faulty electrical equipment is one of the main causes of fires in commercial buildings, which is another exceptionally good reason to maintain your test tagging schedule and ensure your electrics are always in good working order. While commercial, factory and industrial buildings have separate fire safety and risk management obligations under the Building Code of Australia/National Construction Code (BCA/NCC), reducing the risk through comprehensive oversight of your electrical equipment just makes plain good sense.

4. Protects you against liability

Failure to meet your WH&S obligations, including the requirements of your test tagging schedule, means that you, as business owner and/or employer, could be held liable for any damage or injury that occurs as a result of an electrical fault or electrical fire. An important element of your test tagging schedule is that records are kept of the following:

• the name of the person who carried out the testing
• the date of the testing
• the outcome of the testing
• the date on which the next testing must be carried out. (SafeWork NSW)

Keeping these records and ensuring they are up-to-date help to protect you, the business owner or employer, from liability in the event of an incident involving an electrical fault or electrical fire.

5. Minimises downtime due to broken equipment

Every business owner or employer knows how much broken equipment can impact on productivity, and how even a minor electrical fault can bring your operations to a standstill. This is why having and adhering to a test tagging schedule benefits your business in ways that extend well beyond meeting your WH&S obligations. Regular checking and testing of electrical equipment is the best way to prevent breakdowns and the inevitable costly downtime that ensues while you wait for repairs or replacement equipment.

Do you need to implement or update your test tagging schedule? Caslec’s experienced & qualified electricians can provide you with a complete test tagging service, ensuring that your business is fully compliant with Australian regulations. Visit the test tagging page for more information or give Caslec a call on 1300 659 273 today.