Qld Testing Legislation

Scantag Testing Information Summary - Updated March 2011 

 

This summary sheet outlines the main points of the relevant regulations and standards applicable in Qld.

This sheet will accompany all Test Due notices sent to clients. Applicable Regulations and Standards are referenced.

 

Regulations

 

Electrical appliance testing and testing of safety switches is required in Queensland by Electrical Safety Regulations 2002 amended January 2008 Division 5 – Part 5 Workplace Electrical Installations Sec 82-94. These regulations define a minimum standard of testing that is required for the Six Classes of Workplaces.

 

Standards

 

AS3012 and AS 3670 are the accompanying standards. The Regulations do not to refer directly to AS 3670 for test and tag, but do for RCD Testing. Where the Standards and Regulations conflict, the Regulations should apply. 

 

Classes of Work.

 

The ESO Regulations define 6 Classes of Work, this in turn defines the frequency of testing required.

• Manufacturing  (6 Monthly)
• Service Work (12 monthly) and Office Work (5 Yearly)
• Amusement work (When assemble on site or 12 monthly)
• Rural Work (12 Monthly)
•  Construction (3 monthly)

 

 

• Manufacture and Work  - Subdivision 4

Sec s88 requires “Specified Electrical Equipment” i.e Extension cords, Portable outlets or any equipment with a cord up to 20amps to be Tested and Tagged every 6 months And be protected by a safety switch. 

 

Fixed Safety switches

(Sec s91.2) of the regulations require Testing of Fixed Safety switches at work using the push button:

§  Immediately after connection

§  Every 6 months as per AS 3760 

§  And to be tested to meet AS3760 trip specifications every 12 months by a competent person

 

Portable Safety switches

(Sec s91.3) of the regulations require Testing of Portable Safety switches using the push button:

§  When fist connected to the power source each time and

§  Before performing any work

§  And   to be tested to meet trip specifications every 12 months by a competent person

(Scantag will test and record portable outlet s fitted with a safety switch every 6 months, in conjunction with Testing and Tagging as part of our normal procedures)

 

·        Service Work and Office Work - Subdivision 5

 

Sec  s92 requires “Specified Electrical Equipment” –defined in s83 (C) as [equipment that] is moved during its normal use for the purpose of its use - to be Tested and Tagged on a 12 monthly (Service work) or 5 yearly (Office) basis respectfully.  Or be protected by a safety switch.

 

Fixed Safety switches

(Sec s94.1) of the regulations require Testing of Fixed Safety switches at work using the push button:

§  Immediately after connection

§  Every 6 months as per AS 3760 

§  Orto be tested to meet AS3760 trip specifications (every 24 months by a competent person)

 

Scantag recommends all fixed safety switches be tested 12 monthly in conjunction with Testing and Tagging to avoid any confusion.

 

Portable Safety switches

(Sec s94.2) of the regulations require Testing of Portable Safety switches using the push button:

§  When fist connected to the power source each time and

§  Before performing any work

§  OR to be tested to meet trip specifications (every 12 months by a competent person)

 

(Scantag will injection test and record results for portable outlets fitted with a safety switch every 6 or 12 mths, in conjunction with other Testing and Tagging being carried out)

 

·        Construction – Division 5 Regulation Subdivision 3

Sec s87 Refers to AS 3012 Electrical Installations Construction and Sites.

All construction wiring and portable electrical equipment must meet the requirements laid out in the standard.

Section 2 Installation

 

2.1.2        Appliances Luminaries and Electrical Equipment

All to be supplied from wiring protected by a safety switch

 

Section 3 Inspection and Testing

 

3.1       Application – The standard specifically refers to

a)      Construction wiring

b)      Switchboards

c)      RCD’s

d)     Relocatable construction premises

e)      Connections between the generator windings at the equipotential bonding of generators fitted with RCD’s

f)       Connections between the generator windings at he the equipotential bonding of  an isolated winding generator.

g)      Any other Electrical equipment

3.2              Frequency of testing

Prior to introduction- supplier deemed responsible

Before return to service- after any repair-Prior to each hire

At intervals not exceeding those listed in Table 2 of the standards summaries below         

Construction wiring 6 months

Portable equipment 3 months

Push button tests RCD

Portable – after connection to power or before use and at least once every day in use.

Fixed Monthly

Record operating times

Portable 3 monthly

Fixed 12 monthly

3.9              Documentation

A register of all equipment

A record of formal inspection and tests

A repair register

A record of all faulty equipment.

 

Appendix F

Recommended colours

Red     Jan-March

Green April June

Blue July - September

Yellow Oct -Dec

 

·        Amusement  Work - Subdivision 6 &Rural Work – Subdivision 7

Contact Scantag if any information is required on these classes of work.

 

Notes: The definition of Specified equipment varies between work classes, and can be open to subjective interpretation.

 

Many workplaces test all items at their workplace and this is based on a combination of Duty of Care, Quality Assurance, Industry Accreditation standards as well as  and Budget and Workplace Environment considerations.

 

The Facility Manager, Purchasing Officer and/or Workplace Health and Safety Officer should acquaint themselves and their Department with the basic regulations and decide on a testing regime (client profile), that suits your workplace and budget.

 

Scantag work codes on purchase orders

 

By choosing the Scantag Work Code 1A you are requesting us to test all appliances at your work place. This will also include testing of Fixed and Portable Safety Switches on a 12 monthly basis.

 

If you only want testing carried out Strictly in accordance with the Minimum Regulations required chose Scantag work code 1S.

 

Competent Persons

Under Queensland ESO regulations Part 4 Divison 4 S57 - Performing electrical work without electrical licence -Testing of electrical equipment is authorized in sub clauses. This is classed by the Electrical Safety Office as  “Exempt Electrical Work” in the ESO Regulations

 

 a) if the testing is required under part5 division5 or S126

c) if testing does not interfere with the integrity of the electrical equipment..

 

ESO regulations Schedule 8 defines a Competent Person as a person who has acquired through training, qualifications, experience or a combination of these the knowledge and skill enabling the person to inspect and test equipment. A competent person is not a Licenced Electrical worker.

 

Please Note: A Competent Person carrying out a business undertaking Electrical Compliance testing still has to be a registered Trade Electrical Contractor with the ESO. If  an employer allows an unregistered contractor to carry out testing work and an unlicensed person to carry out repairs you are placing yourself at risk and may be liable should an incident occur.  

 

Repairs to Electrical Equipment. In Queensland Competent people cannot undertake any repairs to equipment, this can only be carried out by a Licensed Electrical Worker, employed by an organisation that has a registered nominee with the ESO .

           

Schools -We recommend, 6 mthly testing of Workshop, Manual Arts, Tuck shop and cleaning equipment.

And suggest you undertake 6 mthly testing in conjunction with Emergency lighting testing.

 

Hospitals - Medical facilities – AS2550 & AS3551 require medical equipment to be tested under a risk assessment program or at lest every 12 months.

 

LIMS (Line isolation monitors) and Earth Grids in Cardiac Protected areas need to be tested under AS/NZ 3003:2004  NZ 3003.1 provides an annual testing regime suitable for annual inspections.

 

RCD/Safety Switches.

Electrical Safety regulations require Switchboard mounted or fixed RCDs (Safety switches) to be tested by a competent person every 12 Months in Class 1 & 2 and every 2 years in class 3 & 4 work places.  (In Medical environments AS:2500 requires body-protected area to be tested every 6 months.  We recommend 12 mthly testing to avoid confusion

 

Special Note Clipsal RCDs.

 

Type 1 & 2 manufactured by Clipsal are designed to trip at 40ms

AS 3190 requires

Type 1 - 40ms

Type 2 - 300ms

Our Testers will look closely at any RCD that trips above 40ms and check the manufacturers specifications.

 

Push Button Testing of RCD’s

Scantag carries out Push Button testing with all Measured Trip testing. each 12 or 6 Monthly as required.

 

Double Adaptors

Not allowed in class Construction and  Manufacturing/Repair work areas

Are allowed in class General and Office areas

Many Government Departments, Schools and Hospitals have a NO Double Adaptor policy in all areas.

 

Emergency Lighting Tests

Installation of Emergency lighting to illuminate exit pathways is required in Public Buildings under the Building Code of Australia.

Australian Standards AS 2293.3 require Emergency lights to be tested every 6 and 12 months and to be cleaned every 12 months. Their relationship with the local lighting circuits must be confirmed every 12 months.  (If  local lighting in a designated area fails the emergency lights must be activated.)

 

Variation Policy

Many things can effect the efficiency of testing at any particular time, By having your staff working close with our test teams and ensuring all items are presented for testing promptly we can undertake testing as efficiently as possible. All work is charged at our standard hourly rate with a guarantee that your account will not vary by more that 15% from test to test based on an adjusted per hr item test rate.

 

Compiled by Tom Stevens.     Last updated   Wednesday, March 23, 2011