Electrical Connection Winter 2015

67 / 116

www. e l e c t r i c a l c o nn e c t i o n . c om . a u 6 7
with Chris Halliday
STATE AUTHORITIES
The WorkCover NSW website states that
businesses and employers should eliminate
any risks of injury from electrical equipment,
electrical work or electrical installations.
If this is not reasonably practicable,
the risks must be “minimised”.
The text goes on to include inspection
and testing of electrical equipment as a
requirement. Other state authorities will
be expecting similar management of
electrical hazards.
Of course, it’s when something goes
wrong that some explaining will be
needed. This could be the result of a
WorkCover inspection or an incident.
Prosecution and fines are likely
consequences when something goes
wrong. Lose of reputation and damage to
branding will be particularly important for
schools, patient areas, safety businesses,
corporations, etc.
CONCLUSION
Specific legal requirements for testing
and tagging are included in the harmonised
Work Health and Safety Regulation.
However, they are focused on electrical
equipment in more hostile environments
where damage is more likely.
General legal responsibilities for
managing workplace hazards are included
in the harmonised Work Health and
Safety Act under a primary duty of care.
Businesses will need to demonstrate a safe
system of work, and this will be difficult
without a test and tag regime.
AS/NZS 3760 is the primary standard in
Australia and New Zealand for the testing
and tagging of electrical equipment.
It covers inspection intervals, testing
methods, test result limits, records for
inspection and tests, and resultant actions.
Table 4 in AS/NZS 3760 provides
‘indicative’ inspection intervals, but
they can be varied using a risk
management approach, generally for
shorter inspection intervals.
The inspection, testing and tagging of
electrical equipment will add expense.
However, it is crucial for safety – and
avoiding prosecution, fines, loss of
reputation and damage to branding .
> Power Logic
FLIR C2 UNCOVERS HIDDEN ELECTRICAL
PROBLEMS SO YOU DON’T MISS A THING.
The C2 is the world’s first full-featured, compact thermal camera you
can always keep on you, ready to find troublesome heat patterns.
Find out more at
1300 729 987 NZ: 0800 785 492
POWERFUL THERMAL IMAGING
RIGHT IN YOUR
POCKET