What we cover on this page About Testing & Tagging in Queensland:
- Test and Tag in Queensland, Australia
- What is Testing and Tagging?
- Am I Mandated to Test and Tag in Queensland?
- When Should I Test and Tag My Electrical Equipment?
- Test Tag Colours in Queensland: How They Work
- Can Anyone Test and Tag Their Electronic Equipment?
- What Doing It Yourself Entails
- Common Test and Tag Myths
Test and Tag in Queensland, Australia
If your business is like any in the twenty-first century, chances are that it uses electric equipment. Testing and tagging is a critical process to ensure that this equipment is safe for both you and your employees. In Queensland, there are specific regulations that businesses must follow when it comes to testing and tagging, and it is important to be aware of these in order to stay compliant.
What is Testing and Tagging?
Testing and tagging is the process of testing electrical equipment and appliances to ensure they are safe to use. This includes testing for earth leakage, insulation resistance and polarity. Once the equipment has been tested, it is then tagged with a label that indicates when the next test is due.
Am I Mandated to Test and Tag in Queensland?
In Queensland, Australia, there are strict laws governing the testing and tagging of electrical equipment. Businesses that don’t comply with these laws can be fined, and their electrical equipment can be seized.
Testing and tagging helps to ensure that electrical equipment and appliances are safe to use. It is a legal requirement in Queensland, and businesses that do not comply can face significant fines. There are a number of reasons for this, the most important being safety. Regular testing and tagging can help prevent serious accidents and injuries in the workplace. It also helps to ensure that all electrical equipment is in good working order, and that any potential hazards are identified and rectified quickly. By instituting this requirement, the Queensland government aims to mitigate the risk of workplace accidents and injuries in the state, and to create a safer working environment for everyone.
When Should I Test and Tag My Electrical Equipment?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all timeframe for how often items need to be tested and tagged-Australian law stipulates that this will depend on the environment in which the equipment is used.
Here's a brief breakdown of what regulatory guidelines dictate for different types of businesses:
- Construction, Building and Demolition-3 months
- Factories, Warehouses and Production facilities-6 months
- Environments where equipment and/or supply cords are prone to flexing or wear-12 months
- Environments where equipment and/or supply cords are not prone to flexing or excessive wear – 5 years
Further information regarding the specific requirements for each type of business can be found on the Australian Government’s WorkSafe website.
Test Tag Colours in Queensland: How They Work
AS/NZS 3012 requires electrical equipment used on demolition and construction sites to be tested and tagged through a colour code system. The colour of the tag corresponds to the month in which it was tested, as follows:
- Red Tag – December, January and February
- Green Tag – March, April and May
- Blue Tag – June, July and August
- Yellow Tag – September, October and November
Colour coding tags is not a legislative requirement for other industries, however some businesses choose to do this as it helps them keep track of when their equipment was last tested.
Can Anyone Test and Tag Their Electronic Equipment?
It is an offence under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 to repair electrical equipment unless you have a valid work licence. The only people who can legally test and tag electrical equipment are those who have been issued with a work licence by the Electrical Safety Office (ESO).Work licences are only issued to people who have completed an accredited testing and tagging course, such as the one offered by Safe Workplace Training.
What Doing It Yourself Entails
The first step to getting your work licence is to complete an accredited testing and tagging course. Once you have completed the course, you will need to submit an application to the ESO, along with evidence of your training and a fee. If your application is successful, you will be issued with a work licence and cleared to test and tag on your own. You will be expected to follow AS/NZS 3760or 3012 Standards when testing and tagging, and to keep records of all the equipment you have tested.
Common Test and Tag Myths
Myth 1
Test and tagging is only required for construction sites This is not true-all businesses in Queensland that use electrical equipment are required to test and tag their equipment at regular intervals, as specified by WorkSafe Queensland.
Myth 2
Test and tagging is only required for portable electrical equipment Again, this is not true. All businesses in Queensland that use electrical equipment are required to test and tag their equipment at regular intervals, regardless of whether it is portable or not.
Myth 3
Test and tagging is only required for electrical equipment that is used frequently This is not the case-all businesses in Queensland that use electrical equipment are required to test and tag their equipment at regular intervals, regardless of how often it is used.
Myth 4
I can test and tag my own electrical equipment This is not recommended, as it is important that only professional electricians carry out testing and tagging. Attempting to test and tag your own equipment can be dangerous, and it is also against the law in Queensland.
