Electrical appliances and equipment

The community expects that electrical and gas appliances they use are safe. Legislation requires retailers to ensure that most domestic appliances they sell comply with appropriate Australian safety standards.

The safety of electrical appliances is improved if they are properly designed, used and maintained.

Electricity and safety - the Electricity Act and Regulations

In Western Australia, there are a number of laws which are designed to minimise the hazards of electricity and to reduce the risks of electric shock and fire. Many of the laws are embodied in the Electricity Act 1945. Part X of the Electricity Act Regulations 1947 deals with the safety of electrical appliances. The Director of Energy Safety is nominated as the person responsible for administering the Electricity Act and Regulations, including those relating to the safety of electrical appliances. As the regulatory authority in Western Australia, EnergySafety also regulates other technical and safety matters associated with electricity and gas.

Safety of household electrical appliances

Exposure to the risks of electricity is greatest for most people at the point where it does its job - at electrical appliances and the cords that connect electrical appliances to the power supply.

For that reason, the Electricity Act 1945 prohibits the sale of many household electrical appliances unless 'approved' by an Australian regulatory authority.

Such approval may be issued if the person who intends to sell the appliance satisfactorily demonstrates that he or she has accepted the responsibility of ensuring that the appliance is safe for use. The most common way of doing this is by the person proving that the appliance complies with standard specifications and tests for electrical safety.

This approval process is referred to as the Uniform Approvals Scheme and it is administered nationally by most States and Territories. Regulatory Authority approval in any one State or Territory is recognised by all other States and Territories.

The Uniform Approvals Scheme applies to electrical safety only. It does not apply to the other characteristics of appliances which make them safe and fit for use; characteristics such as quality, durability, flammability, toxicity, electromagnetic radiation emission, efficiency and mechanical guarding.

Selling used electrical appliances/equipment

For the protection of both the customer and the person/s selling electrical appliances/equipment, the law requires that all electrical appliances/equipment sold are in a safe condition.

"Safe" means that no significant risk of injury or death to any person, or damage to any property is likely to result from the proper use of the electrical appliances/equipment.

Guidelines for determining if appliances and equipment are safe

EnergySafety recommends that where the origin or history of an electrical appliance/equipment is NOT known to the seller (for example, it has been purchased or obtained in a used condition), then that electrical appliance/equipment should be inspected and tested, before it is sold, to ensure it is safe to use.

However, where the origin or history of used electrical appliances/equipment IS known to the seller (for example, it has been solely owned and used since new by the seller), the appliance/equipment is not damaged, cords and plugs are in good condition, there are no missing parts and the appliance/equipment still operates in the manner the manufacturer intended, then the appliance/ equipment may not need checking and testing prior to sale.

Testing of appliances/equipment

Regulation 19 of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 requires that the testing of electrical appliances/equipment be carried out by appropriately licensed persons (for example, by an appliance service person or an electrician). This testing is detailed in the Australian Standard AS 3760-2003. "In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment."

It is also recommended that the service centre / licensed person provides some evidence, such as a label or sticker, to be attached to the appliance/equipment to verify that the appliance/equipment has been checked and tested and is safe to use.

This label/sticker should state the date that the appliance/equipment was tested, the relevant Australian Standard to which it was tested and the licence number and signature of the person who carried out the checking and testing.

Note: Most repairs to electrical appliances must only be carried out by an appropriately licensed person.

MAKE SURE YOUR APPLIANCES ARE SAFE