According to the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) section 21, the standard workplace safety for electrical equipment and appliances is the Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS3760. This nationally accepted standard law means that electrical equipment used in a workplace must be tested and tagged.
What is AS/NZS3760?
Safety is a priority when electrical appliances are functioning in the working environment. Whether you are an employer running an office, construction site, factory or shop, it is required by the law that you ensure your workplace is safe to conduct business.
Workplace dangers are common when there are electrical appliances and equipment used. Some of the electrical dangers include getting shocks and burns, faulty equipment causing fires or electricity shock injuries, or it can even be an explosion caused by electricity ignition.
According to the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) section 21, the standard workplace safety for electrical equipment and appliances is the Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS3760. This nationally accepted standard law means that electrical equipment used in a workplace must be tested and tagged.
What is AS/NZS3760?
AS/NZS3760 ensures that workplaces are safe for people by outlining the testing methods and frequencies for electrical appliances and portal appliances.
It is often referred to as the Test and Tag standard, testing and tagging Australian standards and PAT testing. This standard applies to all employers bringing in electrical equipment or appliances including batter charges, electrical drills, laptop charges etc.
If the electrical equipment is unsafe causing an accident to the people in the environment then the employer will be liable.
Is test and tag a legal requirement in Victoria?
Test and Tag is the process of checking the safety of portable electrical appliances to minimise electrical hazards in the workplace. This involves keeping your customers and employees safe, reducing the risk of getting fined or imprisoned due to breaches of electricity safety laws.
There are two steps for electrical test and tag:
Inspect the appliances visually for any damages.
Testing the appliance with a PAT- Portable Appliance Tester.
Once the process is completed a professional will place a tag with a test date and when the next test date is due so that it can be confirmed that the equipment is safe and maintained by the employer.
However, the one problem with the electrical test & tag regulation is there are no mentions that it is an obligation. There is no specific law in Victoria that has anything to do with electrical tests and tags. Nevertheless, it is encouraged to conduct a test and tag for electrical appliances to ensure safety in the workplace.
What electrical equipment must be tested and tagged?
Any device that has low voltage, flexible cable, removable plug including extension leads, cords or portable RCDs are categorised to be tested and tagged in a workplace.
Electrical appliances are classified:
Class 1 includes earthed appliances (Example: toasters and kettles)
Class 2 includes any double insulated appliances (Example: Electrical drills or hair dryers)
If there is any unused or new electrical equipment then it is not necessary to be tested and tagged.
How often do you need to test and tag electrical equipment, Vic?
Retesting electrical appliances or equipment depends on the workplace and individual risk assessment. Here is how you can identify how often you must test and tag the electrical equipment.
If the electrical appliance is in a place where it is frequently moved then the appliance must be tested and tagged every 12 months.
If the appliances are placed in a specific location without moving them frequently then it is only required to test and tag every 5 years.
Any appliances that are kept in manufacturing spaces must be electrical tested and tagged every 6 months.
If the appliances are provided by hire services then the equipment must be tested and tagged every 3 months. This is also applicable for any portable equipment used in construction sites.
Electrical appliances in accommodation spaces can be tested and tagged every 2 years.
Being familiar with the testing frequency can help avoid any danger caused due to the equipment or appliance.
You may think that the equipment or appliance is tested and tagged but unfortunate accidents can happen when you delay the process.
Who can test and tag in Australia?
According to the AS/NZS3760 testing and tagging Australian standards someone who is considered as a ‘’Competent Person’’ can conduct a test and tag.
The requirements to be considered as a competent person are:
A person who possesses the standard knowledge and practical skills to conduct test and tag.
Training obtained through electrical test & tag courses
An experienced individual on the job.
A qualified or licensed professional.
It doesn’t have to be particularly an electrician, it can be anyone who has obtained one of the above requirements or a combination of all the above.
The best way to get your testing and tagging done is by hiring a professional service provider who has obtained a license/qualification with a set of up to date knowledge and skills. This way you can get a consultation from a professional who will abide by the Australian Standards and Codes of Practice.
Another important factor that you need to keep in mind is to hire a Victorian service provider to conduct the test and tag. This is because the regulation for testing and tagging varies from state to state.
Things to keep in mind
Just because a piece of equipment looks safe does not mean you can place a test tag.
Make sure to hire a professional who understands the AS/NZ3760 testing and tagging Australian standards before conducting inspections.
To follow the test and tag regulations your testing and tagging must be done by a Victorian expert so that even the tiniest difference will not be liable to you.
Apart from the test and tag duties, you have other responsibilities such as ensuring all safety measures are followed in the workplace and providing supervision and training to use electrical equipment or appliances.
The rising electricity costs have left homeowners no choice but to make sustainable lifestyle choices.
A full-fledged home energy audit is a great way to make sure that your home does not have any energy leaks or energy-sucking appliances and instalments that may be burning a hole in your pocket.
What is a home energy audit?
Nearly all activities we carry out in our homes require energy. From lighting spaces to cooking, washing, heating and cooling, refrigeration, and running appliances.
To roughly break down the various parts of our home’s energy usage as a factor contributing to our energy bills, the picture looks somewhat as below:
· Heating and Cooling: 40%
· Appliances: 23%
· Hot Water: 21%
· Refrigeration: 6%
· Lighting: 6%
· Cooking: 4%
A home energy audit is a process of accessing all your appliances and systems running on energy to make sure there is no wastage that may be resulting in high energy bills.
Importance of energy audits
Carrying out a regular home energy assessment is important for several reasons:
1. Boost energy efficiency throughout the home: Home energy assessments ensure that all your systems and appliances are using energy to their optimal levels. When you look for a home energy audit near me, your chosen electrician will identify the biggest energy drains and provide you with a plan for improving your home’s energy efficiency.
2. Lower power bills to help you save more: Energy audits don’t just make your home more sustainable in terms of energy efficiency, but also save you from burning a hole in your pocket due to the wasted energy you never go to use.
3. Makes you aware of leaks and energy vampires: When you are more conscious about your energy use, you keep an eye out for areas where energy is being lost or wasted. This may include gaps causing air leaks and insulation issues or poorly functioning heating, cooling, or electronics that may be putting extra load on your systems. This also helps you alter your energy use to allow minimum wastage.
4. Reduce your carbon footprint: By making your home more energy-efficient you are not just helping your pocket but also helping the environment. You are doing this by making a conscious effort to lower your carbon emissions and hence reduce pollution.
5. Increases the value of your property: Energy-efficient homes are more attractive to buyers for several reasons. They help the new owners live more sustainably. They increase a home’s comfort levels. They help the owner keep their energy bills lower. Finally, it ensures that the home’s electrical system is in top shape.
What are the types of home energy audits?
There are three types of home energy audits that can be customised by your electrician based on your exact needs. These are as follows:
Type 1:Basic Energy Audit: This is the general overview of how your house is consuming energy on a broad level and what are the areas which can be improved to save energy. This is a good choice if you are on a budget.
Type 2:Detailed Energy Audit: This is an in-depth energy audit conducted by your local electrician in Geelong. It will provide you with specific recommendations for every system and appliance as well as your overall energy-using habits.
Type 3:Precision sub-system audit: This will analyse each system on your property in very precise detail to identify energy drains and provide a report of recommendations for upgrades or repairs that are required.
How home energy audits are done?
When you call a home energy auditor to carry out an inspection on your property, they will take a look at your current energy consumption and identify measures to make your home more energy-efficient.
Depending upon the nature of the energy audit as well as the size of your home, these can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Typically, home energy audits are done as follows:
1. Your selected home energy auditor, most likely, a qualified electrician will examine your property from the outside. They will look at the windows, doors, and other parts of the home to see if there are any gaps, spaces, or cracks that might be causing heating or cooling to be leaked out.
2. Next they will inspect your home from the inside. They will check your home’s insulation to make sure it is correctly installed between the walls. They will also check for any holes made to run electrical wires and make sure all such gaps are properly sealed.
3. They will look at instalments such as the furnace and water heating unit to check for age and efficiency. If there is any such issue, it will need to be upgraded. The auditor will also look at ducts in the basement and ensure there are no energy leaks.
4. To take the outdoor inspection a step further, the auditor will carry out a blower door test. During this test, all the windows and doors are closed and a blower door machine is used to depressurise the home. The auditor, next, uses an infrared camera which is able to detect any air entering or leaving the house.
5. Finally, the electrician carrying out the audit will look at all the lighting installed in your home and suggest energy-efficient upgrades. These can include updating the old incandescent lights or halogen bulbs to LED alternatives.
The energy audit report including the recommendations you will receive from your auditor will depend on the scale and nature of the audit being carried out.
Finding an electrician to do a home energy audit around the Geelong area
When looking for an electrician to carry out a home energy audit in Geelong, you can check out with your:
· Local government energy office to suggest a company that performs audits.
· Your energy service network to see if there are any energy auditors associated with them.
· Local and independent electricians that offer a home energy audit.
Whichever method you select, make sure you do the following before hiring a professional energy auditor:
1. Get references and check with them all.
2. Look for their reviews online.
3. Make sure your auditor will carry out all the steps to give you a detailed report.
4. See how qualified and experienced they are.
If you are looking for licensed home energy auditors, as qualified professionals we can help you out. Feel free to contact us today.
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