Onsite training Perth: Test and Tag, LVR, First Aid and CPR Courses

It is mandatory for businesses engaging involved in the construction, demolition and mining industries to test and tag. For all other workplaces it is not a requirement to test and tag but all electrical equipment must be regularly checked and inspected to reduce the risk of injury or harm to employees.

It depends on what industry you are involved in and the operating conditions that the equipment is subjected to, such as vibration, heat, chemicals, dust.  

Mining, construction and demolition sites test cord connected equipment every 3 months. It is recommended that factories, workshops and manufacturing areas test and tag every 6 months. For environments where the equipment is subjected to regular normal use or open to abuse such as a hostile environment, test and tagging should be done every 12 months.

For further information AS/NZS 3760 2022 and AS/NZS 3012 provide recommended testing intervals.

RCDs provide personal protection and save lives which is why there are strict guidelines in place for testing intervals. According to AS/NZS 3012 which relates to construction and demolition sites, portable RCDs require a push button daily every time they are used. An operating trip time is also required every 3 months.

AS/NZS 3760 recommends that portable RCDs located in factories, maintenance workshop or similar are subjected to a daily push-button test or before every time they are used.

WA regulations requires that anyone who does not have an electrical qualification should be competent when using a Portable ApplianceTester (PAT) when testing and tagging electrical equipment. To be deemed competent you need to have successfully completed a nationally recognised training course and received a Statement of Attainment. 

The nationally recognised Statement of Attainment that you receive when you successfully complete your test and tag course does not have an expiry date. This means once you are deemed competent you are not required to renew your qualification.
However according to AS/NZS3760 all inspection and testing of equipment must be carried out by a Competent Person. Keeping up to date with workplace regulations, relevant standards such as AS/NZS 3760, Codes of Practices and Guidelines will ensure you have the skills and knowledge to competently test and tag.

If you are working in the construction, demolition or mining industry you would refer to AS/NZ 3012 for test and tag colours:

Red: December, January, February
Green: March, April, May
Blue: June,July, August
Yellow: September, October, November 

Check your localstate/territory legislation and regulations as they may require tags to be a certain colour.

It is not a legal requirement to test and tag office equipment but the WHS regulations in WA require a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) ensure that all electrical equipment is regularly checked to reduce risk or harm to people in the workplace.

You don’t need to test new equipment but a visual inspection must be carried out to check for any obvious damage. You are given this option for new equipment because the supplier is the one deemed responsible for making sure the electrical equipment is safe to use.
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A “New to Service” tag can be used for equipment that is new and entering service for the first time. The tag shall contain the following information:

You don’t need to test new equipment but a visual inspection must be carried out to check for any obvious damage.

It is recommended that any cord connected equipment(toasters, drills, computers, power tools) and cord assemblies (extension leads, power boards, EPODs, computer leads, phone/battery chargers) in the workplace are tested and tagged.If the equipment can be plugged into a low voltage supply (240V) then it’s always recommended the appropriate test and inspections are performed to ensure the equipment is safe to use. ge. You are given this option for new equipment because the supplier is the one deemed responsible for making sure the electrical equipment is safe to use.

AS/NZS 3760 is the main standard for testing and tagging electrical equipment and appliances.AS/NZS 3012 also has information on testing and tagging and is directly related to the construction and demolition sites. Worksafe WA have also published a free Guide to testing and tagging portable electrical equipment and residual current devices at workplaces.  

According to AS/NZS3012 hire equipment needs to be inspected prior to hire and once on site it should be tested once a month. If portable hire equipment remains on site longer than 1 month it should be tested and tagged every 3 months. If you are using hire equipment and it is due to be tested and tagged then it becomes your responsibility to have it tested.

WA regulations requires that anyone who does not have an electrical qualification should be competent when using a Portable ApplianceTester (PAT) when testing and tagging electrical equipment. To be deemed competent you need to have successfully completed a nationally recognised training course and received a Statement of Attainment.