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Frequently asked questions

Contents

  1. What are the requirements for testing and tagging portable electrical equipment for use on construction sites?
  2. What are the requirements for testing and tagging portable electrical equipment for use at workplaces other than construction and demolition sites?
  3. Who can inspect and test electrical equipment?
  4. What are the requirements for  residual current device (RCD) protection in the workplace?
  5. Do low voltage generators require residual current device protection? 

1. What are the requirements for testing and tagging portable electrical equipment for use on construction sites?

Under Regulation 3.61 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 the person in control of the workplace must ensure that the requirements of   AS/NZS 3012:1995 - Electrical Installations - Construction And Demolition Sites are complied with. 

The requirements for testing and tagging portable electrical equipment for use on construction sites is outlined in AS/NZS 3012. 

2. What are the requirements for testing and tagging portable electrical equipment for use at workplaces other than construction  and demolition sites?

Tagging is not a requirement at workplaces other than construction and demolition sites, however there should be some form of documentary evidence that a maintenance program is in place.

Regulation 4.37 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 requires the person in control of the workplace to ensure that plant and equipment at the workplace is subject to appropriate checks, tests and inspections necessary to reduce the risk of injury or harm occurring to a person at the workplace.

The Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2003 - In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment can be used as a guide.

3. Who can inspect and test electrical equipment?

For workplaces other than construction and demolition sites, a person licensed as an electrical worker under the Electricity Act 1945 may conduct routine electrical safety checks of electrical equipment.  Alternatively a competent person may conduct routine electrical safety checks using a plug-in type appliance tester only.

For construction and demolition sites only a licensed electrical worker may conduct routine electrical safety checks of electrical equipment used on construction and demolition sites.

For further information refer to the Energy Safety fact sheet Licensing for testing and tagging electrical equipment.

4. What are the requirements for residual current devices (RCD) protection in the workplace?

Regulation 3.60 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 requires a person having control of a workplace to provide protection for the users or operators of portable or hand held electrical equipment against earth leakage current by means of a non-portable RCD.

5. Do low voltage generators on construction and demolition sites require residual current device protection?

Yes. Clause 2.4.7.3 of Australian/New Zealand Standard 3012:1995 Electrical Installations - Construction And Demolition Sites requires that “all final subcircuits supplies from a low voltage generator shall be protected by residual current devices with a maximum rated residual current of 30mA.”

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