4.3 Principals and managers should ensure that only electrical equipment with a current inspection/test tag is used in DET workplaces.

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1 POLICY TITLE: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT POLICY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES PUBLISHED: 2006 IDENTIFIER: ESS POLICY OWNER: LEGISLATION: Director, Finance and Corporate Support Australian Standard AS In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment 1. Policy Statement 1.1 Principals and managers must implement an electrical equipment inspection and testing program to prevent electric shock and electrical fires. These mandatory procedures are adapted from Australian Standard AS In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. 2. Rationale 2.1 This policy aims to provide principals with clear guidelines relating to the maintenance and inspection of electrical appliances within their school to ensure the safety of staff and students. 3. Definitions 3.1 A Residual Current Device (RCD) is an electrical safety device that constantly monitors the electrical current flowing through a circuit. RCDs are installed in building electrical distribution boards but are also available as a portable plug in device. If an RCD senses a loss of current where electricity is being diverted to earth (as might happen if a person touches a live conductor), it immediately shuts down the power and protects against severe electric shock. 4. Procedures 4.1 Principals and managers must ensure that a competent person inspects, tests and tags electrical equipment at required intervals outlined in tables 1 and A competent person is either a licensed electrician or a person who has completed training to inspect and test electrical equipment (training is available through organisations such as CIT Solutions). 4.3 Principals and managers should ensure that only electrical equipment with a current inspection/test tag is used in DET workplaces. ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 1 of 10

2 4.4 Principals and managers should arrange for additional general power outlets to be provided wherever needed. They should also ensure persons do not connect one power board onto another or use double adaptors or piggy-back plugs, as these significantly increase the risk of electric shock, overheating and electrical fires. 4.5 Persons inspecting and testing electrical equipment must ensure that all plugin type and fixed electrical equipment within the assigned work area is inspected, tested, tagged and recorded in accordance with these requirements and AS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment (available free of charge from the ACT Legislative Assembly Library ). 5. Procedures - Electrical Testing Requirements 5.1 New equipment Manufacturers and suppliers are responsible for the initial electrical inspection and testing of new electrical equipment New electrical equipment is not required to be re-inspected or re-tested when first put into service However new electrical equipment is required to be tagged with the date first put into service, and the details recorded in the electrical testing and inspection documentation. 5.2 In-service equipment Table 1 provides the maximum intervals between inspection and testing of in-service electrical equipment All privately owned electrical equipment must have a current inspection and testing tag prior to being used at the workplace. 5.3 Residual Current Devices The department has completed a program to install residual current devices (RCDs) to all power electrical circuits in school building electrical distribution boards. Schools must ensure that where additional power electrical circuits are installed, these are also fitted with RCDs to provide protection from electric shock Schools are required to perform a push button test of RCDs (to ensure they trip and isolate power) at the required intervals set out in Table 2. Note: Schools must contact Education ICT on Extension prior to conducting this test so that sensitive computer network equipment can be powered off Schools must arrange for an electrician to perform an operating time check of RCDs in accordance the AS3760, at intervals set out in Table 2. ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 2 of 10

3 Note: Schools must contact Education ICT on Extension prior to conducting this test so that sensitive computer network equipment can be powered off. 5.4 Compliant equipment Electrical appliances which are compliant with the inspection and testing procedure must be fitted with an electrical test tag The tag must include the identity of the person carrying out the testing and the test date and may be colour coded to identify the period in which the test was performed. 5.5 Non-compliant equipment Electrical appliances which are non-compliant with the inspection and testing procedures must be labelled to warn against further use and withdrawn from service to ensure they cannot be used Equipment not intended for re-use should be made incapable of being connected to the electrical supply by breaking the electrical socket pins (using pliers) and cutting the (disconnected) electrical supply cord as close as possible to the appliance, prior to disposal Repair of equipment should be undertaken by authorised repair agents or suitably qualified electricians. Equipment that has been repaired must be inspected, tested and tagged prior to re-introduction to service. 5.6 Data cabling protection equipment Backbone line filters: An Information Technology Standards: ACT School Networks approved filter is required at each end of a copper backbone link to protect each switch on the backbone. These devices are installed by an approved electrician and wired to earth in each data cabinet. All copper backbone cabling is to be filtered Wide Area Network (WAN) line filters: An Information Technology Standards: ACT School Networks approved filter is required between the ADSL modem and the TransAct link to each school All filters will require regular inspection by either an approved electrician or SITS (Schools IT Support) staff to ensure they operate properly. This can be done in conjunction with the testing of electrical cables each year. SITS staff cannot check the backbone filter s operation and earth connection as they are not qualified electricians. They can however visually inspect the WAN filter as it has a green light to show correct operation and a red light to show that it needs attention. 5.7 Record keeping Copies of all records must be retained by the school/section for not less than seven years. ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 3 of 10

4 5.8 Inspections Records of inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs must be kept and should include: the date of inspection and test a clear description of the equipment tested the results of the test (whether the equipment passed or failed) and the identification of the person carrying out the testing Sample record forms are provided at Attachment 1 and Faults A record of faults, repairs and maintenance should be kept for electrical equipment. It should include the date and a brief description of any repairs/maintenance made to the equipment. 6.0 Procedures - Reporting and Investigation of Electrical Accidents/Incidents 6.1 All accidents/incidents involving electric shock are required to be reported immediately after the event to: ACTEWAGL on (no matter who the billing company may be), ACT WorkCover on and IPM Section on Student accidents are to be recorded on a Students Accident/Incident Form and reported to the Governance & Legal Liaison Section. 6.2 Staff accidents are to be recorded on an ACT Government Accident Report Form and forwarded to IPM Section as soon as is practicable. 6.3 The onset of symptoms of electric shock can be delayed. Principals/ managers should direct any person who suffers an electric shock to have their health assessed by a medical practitioner immediately after the event. 6.4 All accidents/incidents involving electricity must be investigated by the principal/manager. Arrangements should be made for an electrical contractor to inspect and test the electrical outlet and equipment. The contractor should be requested to provide a statement describing any fault detected in the equipment that caused the accident/incident and any recommended remedial action. 6.5 Any equipment which is found to be faulty must be repaired, re-inspected, retested and tagged prior to re-introduction to service, or properly disposed of. Related Policies: School Safety Checks Primary School Safety Checks Secondary Preschool Safety Checks ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 4 of 10

5 Guidelines For Risk Management In ACT Government Primary School Programs First Aid Policy and Guidelines for Risk Management in ACT Government Secondary Science Programs Policy and Procedures for Occupational Health and Safety in ACT Government Secondary Technology Programs ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 5 of 10

6 Table 1 Electrical Equipment Inspection and Test Intervals (Modified from AS3760) Type of environment or equipment Inspection and Testing Intervals Protectively earthed (3 pin plug) Double insulated (2 pin plug) Extension cords and power boards Portable electrical equipment in wood, metalwork automotive, welding rooms, BSO workroom 6 monthly Annually 6 monthly Fixed, hard wired equipment in wood, metalwork automotive, welding rooms, BSO workroom Protective earth to be tested at 5 yearly intervals. Portable electrical equipment in home science areas 6 monthly Annually 6 monthly Portable electrical equipment in science laboratories 6 monthly Annually 6 monthly Portable electrical equipment in photography, art and ceramics areas 6 monthly Annually 6 monthly All computers 5 yearly 5 yearly Annually Portable electrical equipment in office environments Annually 5 yearly Annually Portable electrical equipment 6 monthly 5 yearly Annually Directional lighting in theatre environments Annually Annually Annually Staff kitchen/kitchenette areas (all electrical equipment including refrigerators and microwave ovens) Annually Annually Annually ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 6 of 10

7 Equipment used for commercial cleaning 6 monthly Annually 6 monthly Repaired/serviced/used equipment. Non-portable, plug-in equipment eg. photocopiers, faxes, shredders, refrigerators After purchase, repair or service, on re-introduction to service 5 yearly ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 7 of 10

8 Table 2 Inspection and Testing of Residual Current Devices (AS3760) Type of environment Push button test by User Operating Time Check by RCD tester Portable Fixed Portable Fixed Wood, metalwork automotive, welding rooms, BSO workroom Daily 6 monthly Annually Annually Home Science areas 3 monthly 6 monthly 2 yearly 2 yearly Science laboratories 3 monthly 6 monthly 2 yearly 2 yearly Office environment 3 monthly 6 monthly 2 yearly 2 yearly Theatre environment 6 monthly 6 monthly 5 yearly 5 yearly Repaired/serviced/second hand equipment After repair or service which could affect electrical safety, or on re-introduction to service RCD s used for commercial cleaning 3 monthly NA 2 yearly NA ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 8 of 10

9 Attachment 1 Inspection Test and Tag Record Date of Inspection: Location (school/workplace): Tested By: Equipment Description Equipment location (eg. building & room Number) Visual Inspection and Machine Test Compliant ( ) Non-Compliant ( ) Tag Applied e.g. Overhead projector No. 5 Main building, classroom 4 Television (on trolley) No. 2 Main building, classroom 4 Signature of person testing equipment: Next inspection due by: ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 9 of 10

10 Attachment 2 Residual Current Device (RCD) Push Button Test Record Date of test: Location (school/workplace): Tested By: Distribution board Location and Number Number of RCDs tested Number of RCDs that Pass Push Button Test Number of RCDs that Fail Push Button Test Date Faulty RCDs Replaced. eg. Main building DB N/A Main building DB1a / / Main building DB1b N/A Main building DB1c N/A Science building DB N/A Transportable DB N/A Signature of person testing: Next inspection due by: ESS is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete document, located at Page 10 of 10