Frequently Asked Questions - TAG and TEST

Test and Tag is the name given to the process of checking the safety of portable electrical appliances. It involves visually inspecting the appliance for damage and electrically testing it with a Portable Appliance Tester.  Once tested, the item is tagged to confirm it has been tested.

The main reason behind testing and tagging is to ensure the safety of the people in the workplace who would come into contact with the appliance. It also minimises the risk of an electrical hazard. The employer may be liable if an accident occurs and no testing and tagging were previously completed on that item. 

The AS/NZS 3760:2010 is the Australian and New Zealand Standard that provides guidelines and regulations for the test and tag industry concerning the electrical safety of appliances. It sets out recommendations for issues such as test and tag intervals, defines who can test and tag and general guidelines.

Any device with a flexible cable, and a removable plug, is not low voltage (not exceeding 50V). This includes extension leads, cord sets and portable RCDs.

Generally, electrical appliances can be classed as either:

Class I – this is an earthed appliance. Examples include kettles, irons and toasters.

Class II – double insulated appliances, usually identified with a symbol or with the words ‘Double Insulated’. Examples include most electric drills and hair dryers.

The Australian Standard recommends particular test and tag frequencies based on the appliance's environment. 

For example, construction, demolition and mining sites are generally tested every three months, whereas a factory or a warehouse will be six months.  Most office spaces are tested every year. This may differ depending on a workplace's individual risk assessment.

Except for construction, demolition and mining, testing and tagging is not legislative requirement for workplaces. However, the employer does have a duty of care to ensure the safety of its employees, meaning that if someone was hurt by an appliance that wasn’t tested and was found to be unsafe, they could be found liable. Because of this, it’s the employer’s responsibility to have all portable electrical appliances tested.