Testing and tagging

Employers and other PCBUs must make sure electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person if the electrical equipment is:

  • supplied with electricity through an electrical socket outlet ('plug in' equipment), and

  • used in an environment in which its normal use exposes the equipment to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected life span, e.g. conditions such as exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust.

Mobile phone chargers and ‘similar hand-held electronic devices’ that are connected to an electrical supply could potentially become damaged and this could create a risk of electric shock or, worst-case scenario, electrocution.

However, if the phone charger is not used in conditions likely to result in damage to the charger or a reduction in its expected life span, testing and tagging are probably not required for the charger.

 

Australian Standards

Inspection and tagging of electrical equipment must meet the requirements of the following Australian Standards:

  • AS 3760: 2003 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment

  • AS/NZS 3012:2019 Amd 1:2020 Electrical installations — Construction and demolition sites

  • AS/NZS 3002:2021 Electrical installations — Shows, carnivals and events