In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment

A Guidance Note for Department of Education and Training Schools in Victoria.  

Many schools have now commenced or have completed action to comply with WorkSafe’s requirement to conduct electrical testing and tagging of portable electrical equipment. Unsafe equipment has been identified in many cases and subsequently discarded or repaired. Where schools have been able to demonstrate that they have commenced a process of managing compliance WorkSafe inspectors have viewed this in a positive light.

The Standard specifies procedures for the safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. This applies to:

1. Portable hand held and stationary appliances, designed for connection to the low voltage (240v) supply by a flexible cord (including the cord). This includes for example, portable power tools, machine tools that are not hard wired, soldering irons, welding machines, sewing machines, kitchen appliances such as fridges, microwaves, ovens etc. This also includes items brought for use into the school by staff (toasters, irons, fan heaters, fans, tape and CD players etc.) and visitors (including contractors, volunteers and persons hiring the school premises).

2. Extension leads and power boards.

3. Residual Current Devices (RCDs), commonly known as safety switches, of all types. An RCD is a mechanical switch device designed to make, carry or break currents under normal service conditions. It stops the residual current when it rises too high.

(RCD’s) Safety Switches.

(RCD’s) Safety Switches are located on your Switchboards and are required to be tested every two years, given that the testing of RCD’s requires considerable electrical knowledge, a qualified electrician must carry out this procedure.

NOTE:

1. The AUSTRALIAN/NEW ZEALAND STANDARD - In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment

AS/NZS 3760:2001 is now available online.

The link to the Standard is on the PRMS21 Homepage http://prms21.eduweb.vic.gov.au/

2. Further guidance is available in information sheets 64 and 64a available for download on the Electrical Safety page.