In the context of this document, the following definitions apply:

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1 UON Key Risk Area: KRA 3.7 Electrical Testing and Tagging 1. Purpose To provide guidance for managing the risks associated with University activities where electrical equipment is used and to ensure compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act (NSW) 2011, and section 150 of the Work Health and Safety Regulations (NSW 2011). 2. Scope This document applies to all faculties, divisions, and organisational units of the University of Newcastle and its controlled entities. 3. Definitions In the context of this document, the following definitions apply: Integrally Moulded: A device constructed so that its plugs and sockets are moulded to the flexible cord to form an integral unit, it being impossible to detach the plug or socket from its flexible cord without breaking or destroying the device. Leaders/Supervisors: Any member of the University who is responsible for supervising staff and/or undergraduate or postgraduate students and/or for leading research projects. Workers: As defined in the NSW Work Health & Safety Act 2011, workers include employees, conjoints, students on work experience, contractors, sub-contractors and their employees. Staff, conjoints, students on work experience, and contractors may be referred to collectively as workers, or separately as staff, conjoints, students, or contractors. Competent Person: A person who has acquired the defined qualifications, knowledge and skills required to be proficient in their job and has demonstrated that proficiency in the workplace. Uncontrolled when printed Page 1 of 9

2 4. Responsibilities 4.1 Leaders/Supervisors Ensure that all University facilities have a process for risk assessing the need for inspection and testing of electrical items; Ensure that checking the currency of tested and tagged electrical items is incorporated into local safety inspections. 4.2 Infrastructure and Facilities Management (IFS) Coordinate the testing and tagging of electrical equipment as identified by the relevant University facilities. 4.3 Workers and Students Check the tag on each electrical item before it is used to ensure that the item is still within test dates; Do not use the item if the tag indicates it is out of test date. 5. Procedure 5.1 Electrical Equipment which Requires Testing and Tagging A risk management process is used to identify electrical equipment that is required to be tested and also to note the items which do not require regular testing as they do not pose a risk to the operator. For example electrical equipment which does not present a risk may be due to: The permanent nature of their location; The way the equipment is used; The working environment in which the equipment is used. Some office electrical equipment is not subject to repeated cord flexion or connection and reconnection activity. For example: Desktop computers and monitors; Scanners; Photocopiers; Fridges; Freezers. Uncontrolled when printed Page 2 of 9

3 A risk assessment is to be carried out by a competent person and in accordance with the WorkCover NSW Guide on Electrical Testing. The risk assessment will determine whether the electrical equipment requires testing and tagging. See Table 1 for examples of electrical equipment that requires Inspection and Testing. It contains a list of sample electrical items and categorises them to assist in identifying the testing requirements. Examples of equipment that require Inspection and Testing and the testing intervals are listed in Table 2: UON Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment Intervals (Modified from AS3760). Requirements for Inspection and Testing of Residual Current Devices (AS3760) are shown in Table New Equipment Where the equipment is new the supplier shall be deemed responsible for the initial electrical safety of the new equipment. New equipment should be assessed to determine the initial test date and noted in the asset register, and/or a retest tag. If however, new equipment is identified as a potential hazard, electrical testing should occur to ensure the article is safe. 5.3 Personal equipment Electrical inspection and testing of personal equipment is required in line with the schedule in Table 2. Use of personal equipment at the University is to be approved by the applicable Leader/Supervisor. Cost for the inspection and testing of approved personal equipment is the responsibility of the Faculty, School, Division or Unit. Personal equipment which is not approved by the Leader/Supervisor is prohibited from use at the University. 5.4 Equipment that no longer requires testing A current risk assessment may identify equipment that has previously been tagged which now no longer requires tagging. Before a previous tag can be removed the decision needs to be confirmed by a competent person e.g. a representative from IFS; a licenced electrician; a member of the UON Health and Safety Team. The tag removal will be recorded and the equipment register will be modified accordingly. 5.5 Testing Intervals for Electrical Appliances Refer to Table 2 for testing and inspection intervals for electrical appliances. The following requirements apply: Uncontrolled when printed Page 3 of 9

4 Intervals are derived from AS3760 and will not be exceeded under normal circumstances; A risk assessment by a competent person may determine that a different interval for testing and inspection is permitted; Testing and inspection intervals will consider mobility of equipment, flexion of cord and the environment the equipment is used to evaluate risk to health and safety; Additional tests may be undertaken to determine the safety of electrical equipment if necessary e.g. there is a concern regarding the safety of the equipment; Any device which is not integrally moulded should be inspected and tested as required in Table 2 (in accordance with AS3760). Testing should be undertaken in line with the Australian Standard In service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. A visual inspection should also be carried out to look for obvious damage and an electrical check carried out to ensure it is wired with the correct polarity. Once the device has been inspected and checked it should be identified on an inspection database and by asset tagging the item. Items should also be visually inspected by the user for obvious damage before each reuse or every 12 months. 6. Record keeping Records of inspection and testing of electrical equipment is required as detailed in the WH&S Regulation Records of maintenance should be kept throughout the working life of the equipment. Copies are to be retained by the school/unit or IFS. Records are to include at minimum: The date of inspection and/or test Clear identification of the equipment tested The results of the test (whether the equipment passed or failed) The identification of the person carrying out the testing and The date retest is due Uncontrolled when printed Page 4 of 9

5 7. Review As part of a continuous improvement system this procedure will be reviewed on a regular basis by a competent person e.g. annually to monitor changes in the legislation or Standard (AS3760) which may require revision of this document. 8. References UON HSP 4.1 Risk Management UON KRA 3.6 Electrical Safety and Isolation Uncontrolled when printed Page 5 of 9

6 Table 1 - Examples of Electrical Equipment that Requires Inspection and Testing Category of equipment Examples of Electrical Equipment Hand held electrical equipment Hand held power tools, Hairdryers, Kitchen appliances, Laboratory equipment Portable electrical equipment moved while in operation Electrical equipment that is moved between operations in such a manner that could damage the flexible supply lead Electrical equipment that is used in a hostile working environment where damage to the equipment or the electricity supply to that equipment could occur such as in wet or dusty conditions. Floor polishers, Vacuum cleaners, Portable lighting equipment Portable electronic whiteboards, Overhead projectors, Laptop computers, Electrical plant used in factory type environments, Welding machines, Extension cords, Power boards Electrical equipment used in wet or dusty areas, Electrical equipment used outdoors, In kitchens, Laboratories (chemical damage), Certain factory-type environments Uncontrolled when printed Page 6 of 9

7 Table 2 UoN Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment Intervals (Modified from AS3760) Type of University environment and or equipment 1. Workshops, places of work or repair, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or fabrication. 2. Laboratories, health care & educational establishments. Class 1 (protectively earthed) Interval between inspection and tests Class 2 (double insulated) Cord sets, power boards, IEC leads 6 months 12 months 6 months or according to a risk assessment* 12 months 12 months 12 months or according to a risk assessment* Equipment or supply cord is subject to movement or flexing or hostile environment 3. Office environment Equipment or supply cord not subject to movement or flexing or non-hostile environment 4. Office equipment subject to movement and flexing 5 years 5 years 5 years or according to a risk assessment* 12 months 12 months 12 months or according to a risk assessment* Laptop chargers, kitchen equipment e.g. toasters, hot water jugs 5. Hire equipment. Visually inspect before each hire. 6. Repaired / serviced / secondhand equipment. 7. Equipment used for commercial cleaning. Test every 3 months. After repair or service which could affect electrical health and safety, or on re-introduction to Service. 6 months 12 months 12 months 8. Accommodation houses. 12 months* 2 years 12 months* 9. Theatre environment NOTE: for theatre hire refer to section 5 in this table. 6 months 5 years 12 months * Intervals marked with red asterisk, indicate periods differing to AS3760. Uncontrolled when printed Page 7 of 9

8 Table 3 UoN Inspection and Testing of Residual Current Devices (AS3760) Type of environment and or equipment 1. Workshops, places of work or repair, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or fabrication. 2. Laboratories, health care & educational establishments. Push button Test by User Operating Time RCD tester Portable Fixed Portable Fixed Daily, or before every use whichever is longer 3 months, or before every use, whichever is the longer 6 months 12 months 12 months 6 months 12 months 12 months 3. Office environment. 3 months 6 months 2 years 2 years 4. Hire equipment. Prior to each hire. 5. Repaired/serviced / second hand equipment. NA 3 month 12 months After repair or service which could affect electrical health and safety, or on re-introduction to service 6. Equipment used for 3 months NA 12 months NA commercial cleaning. 7. Accommodation houses. 6 months 6 months 2 years 2 years 8. Theatre environment NOTE: for theatre hire equipment refer to section 4 in this table. 6 months 6 months 2 years 2 years Uncontrolled when printed Page 8 of 9

9 UON Health and Safety Procedure: KRA 3.7 Electrical Testing and Tagging Date of first edition: 30/9/15 Date this review will take effect: N/A Date of next Review: 30/9/18 RM Folder Ref: Approved by: Owner: Contact: Governing Legislation: Document Number: KRA 3.7 Director, People and Workforce Strategy Associate Director, Health and Safety University of Newcastle Health and Safety Team Health and Safety Act (NSW) 2011 Revision Number: Supporting documents & forms of this procedure/guideline: Keywords: Important Notes: Revision History / Version Control AS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment AS 3199 Approval and Test Specification for Cord Extension Sets AS 3105 Approval And Test Specification For Electrical Portable Outlet Devices UON H&S Policy UON H&S Management System Framework UON HSP 2.2 H&S Responsibilities Risk Hazard Safety Assessment Test Tag Electrical First version of this document Uncontrolled when printed Page 9 of 9