Glossary
What Is Test and Tagging?
Test and Tag is the standard procedure for inspecting and labelling portable electrical appliances to confirm they are safe to use. Scheduling and recording these recurring checks is far simpler with an asset management solution.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Testing and tagging involves a competent technician carefully inspecting each unit for damage to cables, connectors, guards, covers, and plugs.
- Test and tag is a method of ensuring compliance with Australian WHS and electrical safety regulations and workplace safety.
- Testing and tagging has been implemented in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom as a strategy to ensure the safety of portable electrical equipment in the workplace.
How to Test and Tag?
The procedure has two steps. First, a technician checks the device for visible defects. Second, a portable appliance tester runs current through the unit to confirm it performs safely. Once it passes, a label goes on the item showing who tested it, the date of the test, and the date the next test is due.
The point of all this is to protect people. A faulty appliance left in service puts workers at risk and can cause far worse damage down the line, so testing and tagging keeps electrical hazards in check and confirms the appliance is maintained for ongoing use.
Who Needs to Test and Tag?
Industries such as building and mining are required to test and tag their electronic devices every three months. The harsh conditions on these sites wear equipment down quickly and create defects in the wiring, so the interval is short by design. Tag colours rotate on the same three-month cycle, which makes it easy to see at a glance which appliances are due and which months they fall into.
For other firms, test and tag is not a strict requirement the way it is for the industries above. Even so, the company owner has to make sure the devices don't harm employees. If an appliance injures someone at work, the owner is legally answerable, which means it falls to the employer to keep every portable electronic device properly tested. Hire companies face the same duty: before an item goes out on lease, the device has to be carefully inspected, and the three-month testing cycle applies to keep it well maintained throughout.
Who Is Qualified to Test and Tag the Electrical Equipment?
Most people assume only an electrician can test and tag an appliance. That's a misconception. In Australia, AS/NZS 3760:2010 recognises any competent person as capable of carrying out testing and tagging.
Learning to use a PAT tester is enough to pass the test and tag course and pick up the required skills, and there's no need to retake it once you've passed. To stay current, keep up with revisions to the AS 3760 Standard as new guidance is published.
People based in QLD do need a restricted electrical contractors licence to offer tagging and testing services.
Portable Appliance Tester
The portable appliance tester is the core tool. It's built specifically to service equipment for maintenance and to confirm the safety of an appliance by testing it. Before buying a portable appliance tester (PAT), weigh up a few things.
Price is the obvious one: does the cost match the range and quality you need for the job? Generally, the more you spend, the better the build you get. Reviews from people who have already bought testers from different companies at different price points are the quickest way to find the best-featured unit for the money. Worth remembering, too: most damage turns up in the first stage of inspection, before the tester is ever switched on.
What Type of Equipment is Tested and Tagged?
In short, any electronic device with a voltage of less than 50V and a detachable plug counts as portable and qualifies. Plug-in appliances fall under the inspection, test, and tag requirement as well. That covers any extension cord or harness found in the workplace or industry, provided it sits up to 2.5 m in height.
Electrical Appliances Classification:
| Class I | These are appliances such as kettles, washing machines, and toasters. They offer protection in two levels; earth wire and basic insulation. |
|---|---|
| Class II | These include appliances with two insulation layers. Such appliances are referred to as double insulated appliances. Symbolized with a double square shape (a square embedded in another square) which is found next to the volt and power positions. Examples include dryers, lawnmowers, and drills. |
Note that new equipment doesn't need to be tested. You only have to inspect it without the tester and tag it for future reference, though you can run the test anyway if you'd rather be on the safe side.
How Frequently Should You Conduct the Test and Tag Process?
Under the Australian Standards governing the maintenance and management of these appliances, the frequency comes down to where the equipment is used and how. The AS 3760 Standard lays out the requirements in detail.
For specifics, look to the fourth table. The interval can shift depending on the workplace risk assessment. For more guidance on the test and tag industry, the equipment, or any question about the Australian Standards, visit the Test and Tag Training Website.
Benefits of Test and Tagging
- Test and tagging maintains a safe work environment.
- The process scrutinises electrical appliances, along with other equipment on site, for malfunctions or abnormalities.
- Testing shows whether items are working correctly, with no signs of electrical faults, so productivity stays high.
- Tagging documents the results and tells employees how to use the items correctly and safely.
- It also brings the company into compliance with current safety regulations, heading off problems with regulators.
Lowers the Risk of Fines
Companies that skip testing and tagging can face fines, sometimes triggered when faulty electrical equipment creates a dangerous situation. Electrical safety laws exist to protect everyone near electrical devices and appliances, and the equipment itself. Be smart and protect your profitability by avoiding setbacks like these.
Increases Maintenance Efficiency
Testing and tagging makes your maintenance more efficient because it catches minor problems before they turn into major, costly repairs. Equipment keeps running smoothly, business activity carries on uninterrupted, and you spend less because issues get fixed while they're still quick and cheap to handle. As a bonus, it can extend the lifespan of your electrical equipment.
What Will Happen If You Fail to Test and Tag?
Testing and tagging a kettle or a toaster can feel like overkill. That's exactly why some people don't take the risk seriously enough until the damage is done.
Look at it this way. A simple electric kettle draws electrical energy through a cord plugged into the mains. If that energy escapes through a faulty or wet cable, the kettle can deliver an electric shock that's potentially deadly. Any faulty electrical equipment carries that risk, which is why testing and tagging is such a critical part of workplace safety.
Is It Expensive to Conduct Testing and Tagging In-House?
There's a common belief that handling testing and tagging yourself is cheaper than hiring a specialist contractor. The opposite is usually true. It's not just the cost of the work, it's the time, and once you factor in learning the process, writing up reports, and running the training program, in-house quickly becomes the more expensive option.
Test and Tagging With ToolSense
Keeping up with every safety inspection requirement is a real challenge. The ToolSense Asset Operations Platform ships with all kinds of safety inspections pre-configured, including PAT checks and LOLER checks, and you can build your own with the custom form editor. Our equipment inspection software also flags equipment with upcoming recertification deadlines, so you can assign inspections to engineers before anything lapses.
Conclusion
Running electrical test and tag procedures matters. Catching defects in electrical appliances protects your home or business from potential fire hazards, and equipment management software gives you a way to stay on top of it. Knowing the condition of every device reduces the hazards that could damage your property or put employee safety at risk.
FAQ
What Is Test and Tagging?
Test and Tag is a process to ensure the safety of appliances in compliance with regulations of electrical safety in the workplace.
How to Test and Tag?
Test and Tag is done in several steps: a visual inspection, an electrical inspection, as well as the tagging process to indicate results.
How Often Should I Test and Tag?
Testing and Tagging should be done regularly. The specific time frame depends on factors such as the environment the appliance is used in. In extreme circumstances, Test and Tag might be required every three months, in others a span of five years is acceptable.
Who Is Qualified to Test and Tag Electrical Equipment?
Electrical equipment should only be tested and tagged by a competent person. This may be an electrician or technician but might also be somebody who underwent training to Test and Tag.
Is Test and Tag a Legal Requirement?
Whether Test and Tag is a legal requirement depends on the country and the industry. For example, it is required for companies in construction, demolition, and mining in Australia, the UK, or New Zealand.
