People often question who is responsible for ensuring the safety of electrical appliances in the workplace. Is it the individual who brings the appliance to the office or site? The business owner? Or perhaps the person who tested and tagged the equipment?
The answer is clear: If you own a business, you are legally responsible for all aspects of workplace safety, including electrical safety. This duty of care extends to creating a safe working environment for everyone who enters your premises, including employees, visitors, and customers.
To ensure that the electrical appliances used on your premises are safe, you should take the following steps:
The first step in ensuring electrical safety is to have all portable appliances that have a flexible cord, and a removable plug, and operate at a voltage exceeding 50V tested and tagged. Testing and tagging involve a technician assessing your appliances to confirm their safety. This process includes two main components:
- Visual Inspection: Checking for any visible damage, as many issues become apparent during this initial inspection.
- Electrical Testing: Using a Portable Appliance Tester to conduct a thorough electrical evaluation.
After testing, each appliance is tagged with a label detailing the test date, the name of the tester, the results, and the due date for the next test, Get test and tag can manage this for all your business.
Test Every Appliance that Meets the Criteria
It’s crucial to test all appliances that fall under this criteria, even those not owned by the business. Many business owners are unaware that they are responsible for every appliance on their premises. If an employee brings a faulty appliance, such as a kettle, and it causes an electrical fire or accident—like burns or electric shocks—you could be held liable for failing to maintain a safe working environment.
Ensure that all staff, including new hires, understand that no appliance can be brought into the workplace unless it has been tested and tagged either by themselves or through your established process.
Check the Cupboards for Infrequently Used Appliances
Don’t overlook appliances that aren’t used frequently, as they can still pose a safety risk. When your test and tag technician is on site, ensure that you bring out items such as column heaters used only in winter or portable fans that have been sitting idle since last summer. These appliances should be tested just like the ones used regularly.
Keep a Record of Tested Appliances
Maintaining a record of all tested appliances is a best practice. While your test and tag technician should provide this as part of their service, it’s wise to keep a copy for your own files and ensure the technician does the same. This record is crucial for insurance purposes or in the event of an electrical accident, as it demonstrates that you took all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the appliances in your business.
Discard Faulty Appliances
Appliances that fail the test and tag process must be discarded, as they are deemed unsafe. Ensure that these appliances are not just set aside but properly checked off your list and disposed of safely. This helps maintain a safe working environment and prevents the use of potentially hazardous equipment.
Standardize Tag Colors
In some industries, such as construction, there are legal requirements for tagging appliances with specific colors based on the testing period. For most industries, there’s no such requirement, but it’s beneficial to standardize the tag color for all appliances. Request that your technician uses a single color for tags on all appliances tested during a given period, and switch to a different color for the next testing cycle.
Standardizing tag colors helps you easily identify which appliances are currently safe to use. For example, if all tags are yellow and you spot a heater with a burgundy tag, it indicates that the appliance either hasn’t been tested recently or might have come from another location. This makes it easier to ensure that all appliances meet safety standards and are appropriately tested.
Implement Test and Tag Processes in Your Business
Set a Regular Schedule
Testing and tagging should be an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. While some industries require testing every three months, most businesses should schedule testing every six months. Your test and tag technician will inform you of the next testing date during their visit, and this date will also be recorded on each appliance’s tag.
Use a Single Test and Tag Supplier
It’s beneficial to use a single test and tag supplier for consistency and efficiency. Establishing a relationship with one supplier allows them to manage all your testing needs and helps streamline the process. They will track your testing schedule, provide reminders, and maintain comprehensive records of all your testing activities.
Benefits of a Consistent Supplier Relationship
- Reminder and Scheduling: A dedicated supplier will keep track of when the next test is due and can provide reminders, ensuring you don’t miss any required testing.
- Recordkeeping: Your supplier will maintain both current and historical records of testing and tagging, which is essential for compliance and in the event of an insurance claim or electrical accident.
- Pattern Recognition: Over time, the supplier can help identify patterns, such as recurring failures in specific areas. This could indicate underlying issues, such as faulty wiring or misuse of appliances. Addressing these patterns proactively helps prevent potential safety hazards.
By implementing these processes, you ensure that your business remains compliant with safety regulations and that your electrical appliances are always safe for use.
Choose a Reliable Service
Ensuring that your appliances are tested and tagged is only part of your responsibility as a business owner. It’s crucial to select a reputable and qualified supplier to carry out this task. You remain accountable for the safety of the appliances, so it’s important to work with a technician who meets the standards set by the Australian and New Zealand Safety Standard AS NZS 3760:2010.
For reliable testing and tagging services, consider companies like GET Test & Tag. With over 100 Staff across Australia, their technicians are not only fully qualified but also undergo regular training to stay up-to-date with industry standards. By choosing a reputable supplier, such as GET Test & Tag, you can have confidence that your appliances are being tested and tagged correctly and that you are meeting your safety obligations effectively.