Jarrad Goulding explains electrical test-and-tag: visual and electronic inspection of plug-in appliances for workplace safety and legal compliance. Construction sites need testing every 3 months, warehouses every 6 months, offices every 12 months to 5 years. Failed items get tagged out and isolated until repaired.
Questions this video answers
The process of visually inspecting electrical appliances and electronically testing plug-in items; passed items receive a tag, failed items are tagged out and reported.
Any electrical item with a plug (e.g., kettles, computers, other plug-in appliances).
Every 3 months.
Every 6 months.
Every 12 months to every 5 years, depending on the item.
Chapters
So today we're going to be talking about electrical test and tagging, or pack testing, as it's known, and we're going to be answering some of the questions and giving a little bit more information on it.
What is test and tagging?
So test and tagging is the process of visually inspecting any electrical appliances as well as electronically testing them as well. So we test everything from kettles, computers, any electrical appliance that plugs into the wall, basically. And if the appliance passes it, we will put tag on it. If it failed, we'll tag it out and then we provide the client with a full report of anything that's passed or anything that's failed.
And why do we need to test and tag all these things?
So there's a couple of reasons why you'd want to get electrical test and tagging done. One, obviously, it's going to ensure a safe workplace for all of your staff, your contractors and visitors. But on the other side as well, from a compliance side, you want to make sure that the workplace that you're working is, is safe and it is your responsibility to ensure you are maintaining a safe work environment.
How often do these appliances need testing?
So it depends on the environment and it depends about the appliance itself as well. So generally speaking, if it's construction, mining and demolition, it's every three months. If it's a warehouse, manufacturing or place of assembly, it's every six months. And if it's an office environment, it goes from every 12 months to every five years, depending on the item.
So what items need testing?
So any electric cool item with a plug, basically. So it could be kettles, computers, anything that plugs into the wall, it needs to be electrically test and tagged.
So, Jared, the test and tag is out at site. How long does it take to complete the job?
If we're testing a workstation or anything like that, generally speaking, it's only going to take five minutes.
What happens if something fails?
Yeah, so if something fails, we'll tag it out immediately. We'll take that out of the environment that it's in and we'll isolate so it can't be used and be deemed unsafe. We'll provide a full report on it stating why the appliance has failed. And then if it's a simple repair, we're able to repair it and put it back into circulation. If it's not, then all of those failed items get given to the site contact at the end of the day, along with all the reporting on why they failed. You will get a full report on every item that's been tested, including the location, whether it's passed or failed. Assigned an asset number to that compliance as well. We'll also give you a certificate of compliance and then as well as notifying you next time your testing is due. So basically, we're managing the entire test and tag process, so you can just be busy focusing on your work and you don't have to worry about the compliance of your electrical items.
