Electrical Safety

Step 1: Create a register of equipment

• A copy of the assets register is a good place to   start. The testing register is the responsibility of the Faculty, Portfolio   or other unit.

Step 2. Dispose of any old, disused or seldom used, obviously unserviceable, equipment identified during the register creation process and prior to testing.

• Do not fill up stores with old equipment.
• If you need to keep an old piece of equipment for   a period, put a “dispose by tag ……….” on it

Step 3. Set up a testing schedule based upon the register.

• See Electrical Test Standard
• Particular attention must be given to equipment   that is hired or loaned to students.

Step 4. Identify who is going to carry out the testing.

Advice on suitable testers can be obtained from Campus Services.

WorkSafe considers that portable electrical items, apart from safety switches [also called Residual Current Devices (RCDs)], can be tested by a qualified tester. Given that the testing of RCDs requires considerable electrical knowledge, an electrician must carry out this work.

Step 5: Ensure that all unsafe or failed items are removed from service immediately, tagged as such, and repaired or disposed of promptly.

Appliances which fail a test/inspection shall be labelled with a ‘Danger – Do Not Use’ tag to indicate that they must not be used.

Where testers find any portable electrical appliance in use which in their opinion gives rise to a likely risk of electrocution or other injury they will render the appliance safe, for example, by removing the plug.

Step 6: As new equipment is bought, ensure that it has been tested prior to purchase (electrically approved).

All new electrical equipment displaying Australian or equivalent international approval markings showing it complies with relevant safety standards need not be tested. The manufacturer is considered to be responsible for the item's safety. Used or second-hand equipment must be tested before use.

Step 7: Ensure all staff know how to respond to electrical faults and incidents.

• See Safety Alert: Responding to Electrical Incidents
• With faulty equipment, ensure the equipment is taken out of service and tagged out so no-one can accidentally use it.  Where electrical equipment can be de-energised and isolated fully by unplugging from a power source see Defective Electrical Equipment. In all other cases refer to the Hazard Isolation Standard.
• Where there is a general electrical fault, such   as a power-point or an electrified surface, then the area must be isolated   and entry stopped.