Effective Tips on Testing and Tagging

Effective Tips on Testing and Tagging

Effective Tips on Testing and Tagging

Testing and tagging an electric appliance is considered to be the best way to certify that it will last long. In this process, the appliance is carefully inspected to check for connections, flex, guards, plug and covers. This inspection is carried out by a visual examination and electrical testing of your appliances, and then submitting a report on whether the appliance has passed or failed. These electrical appliances are tested for leakages or dangerous faults that are usually not identifiable by the naked eye.

Effective Tips on Testing and tagging

Whether to test and tag a device entirely depends on the person conducting the business or an undertaking. For this testing process, they can either get the required testing equipment and train a worker to do the testing, or hire a third party to carry out the same.

The chief reason behind conducting the testing and tagging of the electrical appliance is to ensure the safety of the people at the workplace who deal with the appliance, and also minimize the risk of any electrical hazard. As per the Australian Standards, the testing and tagging frequencies should be based on the type of environment the appliance is used in.

Industries that require testing and tagging

Electric Appliance

Different industries like demolition, construction and mining should get their appliances tested and tagged every 3 months. The reason behind this is the harsh nature of the industry where the equipment is likely to get damaged faster. The coloured tags for these processes keep changing for different periods during the year.

Tips to be followed for testing and tagging

Hiring Electrical Equipment

  1. Leave out the new items –

    The new items purchased actually do not need any kind of testing. The manufacturers should mark on the product the date when it should be first tested after being purchased. To be on the safe side, you can also consult with your technician and reconfirm the testing date mentioned.

  2. What to test and tag –

    Any electrical device that has a flexible cable, a removable plug or runs on a voltage of more than 50V should be ideally tested and tagged. For example, laptops, desktops, photocopiers, fax machines, kitchen and tea room appliances of staff, extension cords, power boards, etc.

  3. Turn off the appliances –

    It is always considered as a good practice to turn off all electrical appliances before you inspect them. This is done keeping your safety in mind and to avoid any kind of accidents.

  4. Learn the frequency –

    The frequency of testing electrical equipment usually depends on the item, where it is used, how often it is used and how old is it. Professional technicians generally have an idea of how often appliances should be tested. Remember to always get an appliance tested if you notice any potential electrical issues such as a chord fraying or anything else that is abnormal.

  5. The duration –

    This duration of testing and tagging of each item usually takes several minutes depending on the appliance. Firstly, the appliance is visually tested and then an electrical test is conducted. The appliance also needs to go through a number of electrical tests so that it can be marked as “passing” the testing and tagging process.

  6. Be careful while hiring electrical equipment –

    If you are into the business where you normally hire electrical equipment regularly you must ensure that the equipment is inspected at the beginning of each hire and then tested every three months. You should also ensure that the equipment meets all the necessary inspection and testing requirements.

    Be careful while hiring electrical equipment

  7. The employer’s responsibility –

    Except for the demolition, construction and mining industries, testing and tagging is not a statutory requirement for other workplaces. As an employer, you definitely have a duty to ensure the safety of your employees and ensure all of your electric appliances are safe to be used. If someone is injured from an appliance that wasn’t tested and was unsafe, you would be held responsible. Hence, to be on the safe side, it is advised that as an employer, you should get all the electrical appliances tested.

  8. Documents to be maintained –

    Several documents need to be maintained for record-keeping that establishes the history of the tests. The test tags attached indicate the date, name of the person performing the test and the status of the test whether it has passed or failed. Another document is the asset register where all the historical records of the test results are recorded. Lastly, a record is also maintained that includes the list of the faulty item and the repair action taken.