Australia and New Zealand have strict electrical safety standards that ensure the safety of workers and prevent accidents. The Australian/New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 3760:2022, offers guidelines on safe design, installation and maintenance of electrical systems. All electrical work can only be undertaken by a licensed electrician. All electrical equipment in the workplace must meet specified safety standards and be regularly tested. An important aspect of electrical safety is personal protective equipment (PPE) such as insulated gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection. PPE offers protection against electrical shocks, burns, and other hazards. All electrical equipment must be grounded to protect against electrical shocks by allowing excess electrical current to flow safely into the ground.
Testing.
Electrical equipment in the workplace must be periodically tested to verify electrical standards. This means inspecting for any damage, testing for faults, and then applying a tag to show the date of the last test and the next due date for testing. How often testing is required depends on the equipment and its environment, but it ranges between 3 months and 5 years. All testing should be carried out by a licensed electrician.The frequency of electrical inspections depends on the type of equipment and the environment it is used in. The Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2022 provides appropriate guidelines for this.
Record keeping.
Record-keeping is a required aspect of electrical testing and tagging. This means maintaining accurate records of all testing and tagging and keeping them for at least two years. These records must be available for inspection by a regulatory authority if so required.
Test tags and labels.
Test tags or labels show the date of the most recent test and the next due date for testing. Tags must be attached to the electrical equipment and made of tamper-resistant material. They should show the contact details of whoever was responsible for testing, the date of the most recent test and the next due date for testing, the test result, an identification number for the equipment, the name of the testing standard used, and the frequency that testing is required for the equipment. This information is required by law and failure to include it can lead to penalties or fines.
Recording of testing and tagging.
Arecord must also be kept of all testing and tagging. This should include an equipment identification number, a description of the equipment, the date of the most recent test and the next due date for testing, the test result, details of any repairs or maintenance carried out on the equipment, contact details of whoever was responsible for testing, and any other relevant information.
Keeping accurate records of testing is essential for ensuring the safety of electrical equipment in the workplace. It helps to show compliance with regulations and can help in tracking the maintenance history of the equipment. Complying with electrical safety standards helps to prevent injuries and ensure safety in the workplace. Electricians have a responsibility to stay informed on industry developments and follow these standards to the letter at all times.
