This site is no longer updated and will not be available after December 2010. Electronic Equipment Tagging Policy
5.6. Electrical
5.6.1. Withdrawing Unsafe Equipment from Use
5.6.1.1. Purpose
To develop a system which will avoid the risk of injury to employees who maintain, use or work on any form of equipment, tools or furniture which may expose them to potential hazards.
To ensure that the equipment is isolated from use before repair or maintenance is undertaken.
5.6.1.2. Application
Danger Tags are used to de-commission a piece of equipment for safety or maintenance reasons. The tag system will ensure that employees are not exposed to hazardous equipment.
5.6.1.3. Legislation
Environmental Health and Safety Act 1985
Occupational Health and Safety (Plant) Regulations 1995
Code of Practice for Plant 1995
5.6.1.4. References
Australian Standard AS 2243.7 electrical safety in laboratories
5.6.1.5. Responsibilities
5.6.1.5.1. Managers and Supervisors
Danger/Out of Service Tags are to be made available to all staff, to ensure the removal of equipment, tools, furniture etc. for repairs.
Inform employees/students of procedure.
5.6.1.5.2. All Employees
Each Danger/Out of Service Tag must be complete and all information written clearly in the spaces provided. Ensure that the item is immediately removed from service.
Equipment SHALL not be used or operated if a Danger/Out of Service Tag is attached.
Ensure that the appropriate department supervisors are notified when equipment is out of service for maintenance or repairs.
The placing of a Danger - Out of Service Tag would normally be the responsibility of the equipment operator; however, any person may place an Out of Service Tag to indicate a piece of equipment should not be used.
Isolate equipment where possible, i.e. remove power source.
5.6.2. Electrical Inspection and Test
5.6.2.1. Purpose
To ensure safety in connection with the use of plant and equipment.
5.6.2.2. Application
This procedure covers all portable equipment connected to a general purpose outlet used within or belonging to the University. This includes the testing of all new equipment prior to use.
Typical equipment that requires testing includes: power tools, portable lighting, fans, heaters, extension cords, portable residual current devices, computers, photocopiers, printers, centrifuges, mixers etc.
No portable equipment is to be used within or on University owned/managed/leased property which has not been tested, passed and tagged. This includes staff owned electrical equipment.
5.6.2.3. Legislation
5.6.2.4. References
AS/NZS 3760 electrical inspection and test
5.6.2.5. Responsibilities
5.6.2.5.1. Property Services
Responsible for ensuring that all tenants, contractors and external users of electrical equipment only use equipment which has been tested on University owned/managed/leased property.
Maintenance can provide the service of testing electrical equipment including tagging and preparation of test log for a fee to those areas that require the service. The fee for service will be by negotiation based on the concept of cost recovery.
Access to switchboards is restricted to authorised electricians.
5.6.2.5.2. Head of Department
Must ensure that all portable electrical equipment within their control is tested and tagged in accordance with the AS/NZS 3760 and that a record of tests is maintained.
All new equipment must be visually inspected for defects on receipt. A more through check may be required for higher risk items such as extension leads, personal equipment or shared equipment.
Internal non-visual or earthing equipment checks may only be conducted by a competent person, in accordance with manufacturers specification. If internal technical staff are to carry out the inspection tests their competency must be through evidence of attendance at an approved appliance safety course or relevant electrical licence i.e. s-grade, a-grade.
All work on electrical equipment, including construction or modification, may only be performed by a competent person.
There are strict licensing requirements which apply to equipment connected to a mains supply and all work on portable equipment must only be performed by a licensed electrician or a person who can demonstrate the necessary competence to carry out the work.
5.6.2.5.5. All Employees
Present all staff owned electrical equipment for testing and tagging prior to use in consultation with head of department.
Visually inspect all electrical equipment prior to use and report faults to supervisor.
5.6.2.6. Procedure and Guidelines
5.6.2.6.1. Visual inspection
Visual inspectors may include the following:
- Flexible cords in good condition i.e. look for cuts, abrasion or damage.
- External components or casing are not damaged.
- Power and extension cords anchored and separated from other hazards such as liquids, mechanical action or traffic areas.
- Covers, guards, controls, alarms or mechanical safety features are in good condition.
Ensure that power outlets, power boards are not overloaded.
5.6.2.6.2. Failure to Comply with Procedure
If tenants, contractors or external users do not comply with these requirements they will be stopped from using their electrical equipment through the terms of the lease contract, terms of the preferred contractors list or terms of hire .
5.6.2.6.3. Faulty Equipment
If an item of electrical equipment is found to be faulty through visual inspection or electrical test the tests will detach or remove the plug from the electrical equipment and tag as faulty using the approved Danger - Do Not Use tag. It then becomes the responsibility of the Cost to Centre to arrange repair or replacement of the electrical equipment and the electrical equipment for a further compliance test prior to use.
5.6.2.6.4. Residual Current Devices
The University installs residual current devices (RCDs) in all areas where there is a significant risk of electrocution.
Areas included are all electronic and maintenance workshops, laboratories where electrophoresis or other electronic equipment is used, photographic/video studios and student teaching laboratories RCDs switch off electric supply when an imbalance is detected between the current flowing between the active and neutral leads.
5.6.2.6.5. Recording of tests
All equipment that has been testing in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 will be identified by a visible and durable tag. The tag should be attached as close as practicable to the plug end of the appliance cord or lead with details completed once the item has passed the test.
Red tags will indicate the item requires retesting every six months.
Blue tags will indicate that the item requires testing every twelve months.
Yellow tags will indicate that the item requires testing every 5 years.
5.6.2.6.6. Testing Frequency
The following testing frequency is as defined in AS/NZS 3760 and depends on the class of equipment and its area of use. The following extract from AS/NZS 3760 may be used as a guideline.
Table 9: Interval between inspection and tests, class of equipment additional testing for portable RCD's.
| Type of environment in which equipment is used | Class I (protectively earthed) | Class II (double insulated) | Push-button test (by user) | Test for operation | Cord extension sets and EPODS |
| Construction and. demolition sites | 3 months | 3 months | Immediately after connection to a socket outlet, and every day in use | 3 months | 3 months |
| Factories, workshops and places of manufacture, repair, asembly, maintenance or fabrication | 6 months | 12 months | Daily, or before every use, whichever is the longer | 12 months | 6 months |
| Other commercial environment with no special protection e.g., laboratories, tea rooms, office kitchens. | 12 months | 12 months | 3 months, or before every use, whichever is the longer. | 2 years | 12 months |
| Office environment, where equipment is not subject to constant flexing of the supply cord. | 5 years | 5 years | 3 months | 2 years | 5 years |
| Hire equipment | Before each hire | Before each hire | Before each hire | Before each hire | Before each hire. |
*Class I equipment includes not only insulation of live parts but an earth connection via the flexible cord and power outlet to accessible conductive parts. The accessible parts will not become live if the basic insulation fails. However the disadvantage of Class 1 equipment is that an electric shock can still occur if a person forms a connection between live and earthed components.
*Class II equipment does not have an earth connection but relies on double or reinforced insulation for protection.