Q.Do I HAVE to test and Tag? If so, how Often?

In short? Yes. You Do.
As an employer you are required to fulfil your duty of care and ensure that all electrical equipment it safe to use and is regularly inspected and tested to ensure that it remains safe to use.

Below is a table which was formed from information from the Australian Standards Code 3760:2003 and the NSW Code of Practice, it breaks down the environments in which the electrical equipment is being used and states the re-test intervals which are required for each type of environment.

The table is only to be used as a guide and powerTAG will assess each workplace individually and decide which category the environment fits in to and any re-test intervals.

Testing Intervals

This table is to be used as a guide only. Information is gathered from Australian Standards/New Zealand Standards 3760:2003 – In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.
Type of equipment and/or equipment (a)	Interval between inspection and tests
	Class of Equipment		Residual Current Devices (RCDs)				Cord sets and power boards (h)
	Class I (protectively earthed) (b)	Class II (double insulated) (c)	Push-button test - by user		Operating time & push button test
	Class I (protectively earthed) (b)	Class II (double insulated) (c)	Portable (d)	Fixed (e)	Portable (f)	Fixed (g)
1. Factories, workshops, places of work or repair, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or fabrication.	6 months	12 months	Daily, or before every use, whichever is the longer	6 months	12 months	12 months	6 months
2. Environment where the equipment or supply flexible cord is subject to flexing in normal use OR is open to abuse OR is in a hostile environment.	12 months	12 months	3 months	6 months	12 months	12 months	12 months
3. Environment where the equipment or supply cord is NOT subject to flexing in normal use and is NOT open to abuse and is NOT in a hostile environment.	5 years	5 years	3 months	6 months	2 years	2 years	5 years
4. Residential type areas of: hotels, residential institutions, motels, boarding houses, halls, hostels accommodation houses, and the like.	2 years	2 years	6 months	6 months	2 years	2 years	2 years

Back to F.A.Q Index next - Are there different requirements for different types of Workplaces?