subject: A Guide To The Process Of Testing And Tagging [print this page] From the professional testing and tagging team at Melbournes McWiring Services.
Testing and tagging is a Melbourne legal requirement that must be performed on electrical equipment used in workplaces. Worksafe Victoria passed this OH&S law as a means to reduce the risk of electrical accidents, and to keep workers safe. The process itself may sound very simple, but there is more to it than meets the eye.
Here is a more in-depth look at the testing and tagging process in Melbourne:
Devices are disconnected and visually observed
All electrical devices and equipment are unplugged and observed for visible signs of fault or failure. For example, more common faults include signs of cut or burned cables, insulation damage, cord strain, plug damage and more. Obviously, showing signs of visible damage will be enough to fail the test, but further examinations must still be carried out.
Special instruments then test for invisible faults
Not all faults and failures are obvious through a visual inspection, which is why special testing tools are then used to check for internal damage. Such damage could include a broken earth connection, insulation issues and low earth resistance. While this may look like a lot of meaningless jargon to the average person, what this really means is danger, danger, danger.
Apply test tags with results and expiration dates
Under Australian law, all electrical devices must be physically tagged with a docket that shows that they either passed or failed their safety test. Youll usually find this attached to the cords of your equipment. These dockets will usually have a barcode for record purposes and a date so people know when the next inspection is required.
Repair and retest
Any equipment that fails the test is marked accordingly and is immediately deemed unsafe for further use. If your test and tag professional performs repair services they may be able to fix the item on the spot, or take it back to their workshop for comprehensive repairs.
You receive an Appliance Test Log
This is a report-style document you are issued, which you can then use to learn about the results of the test. Its very important that you keep this document for your OH&S records both for compliance purposes and as a reminder for the types of future electrical faults to look out for. To put it simply, make sure you file this document safely away.
There really is more than meets the eye when it comes to testing and tagging, as our Melbourne team well know. But this is not just a referral to the process of testing and tagging itself many business owners see it as a chore or a burden, when really it can be the difference between life and death for workers. Electrical accidents do happen and if youd like to reduce the risk, give McWiring Services a call on 0438 067 123 today.
