Test and Tag Services Melbourne

Why test and tag in commercial properties?

Take zero chances as an employer and ensure your commercial property is compliant with Victorian OHS regulations through Melbourne's testing and tagging services by All Electrics. Ensuring your workplace is tested and tagged, you are demonstrating a duty of care in maintaining a safe workplace so employees and visitors avoid unforeseen electrical injuries. In some cases, proof of a test and tag service can lead to cheaper insurance premiums - not to mention a reduction of costly ad hoc electrical maintenance costs. Our team of master electricians have been performing test and tag services in Melbourne for over 20 years and ensure that no device is left behind.

Is testing and tagging a legal requirement in Victoria?

Unlike other Australian states, testing and tagging is not explicitly dealt with under legislation. However, Section 21 of the Victorian OH&S Regulations 2004 states that employers must “provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to health”. Furthermore, Worksafe Victoria encourages testing and tagging. In fact, if there is an electrical incident in your workplace, Worksafe Victoria relies on federal guidelines which call for regular testing and tagging of portable electrical appliances within the workplace.

What does the test and tag process involve?

Testing and tagging involves checking all electrical appliances and equipment in your workplace to ensure that all of these tools or resources adhere to industry standards and pose minimal risks to both your business and wider workforce. A test and tag service generally consists of three parts:  

1. Preliminary visual inspection

Our expert electricians will check your appliance or electrical equipment for any obvious visual defects or superficial signs of electrical faults, such as frayed wiring, scorch marks, or other signs of damage. The preliminary visual inspection will also involve assessing the location and placement of your equipment and appliances, to mitigate any potential environmental risk factors.

2. Electrical Testing

Electrical testing of your appliances is conducted using a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) tester. PAT testers are used to assess a variety of factors, including the earth continuity, lead polarity, and insulation resistance of your workplace electrical equipment. Alongside using PAT testers, our test and tag electricians will also physically inspect equipment like fire blankets and extinguishers to make sure they are in good working order.

3. Test & Tag Report Writing

Following a thorough visual and physical inspection, our test and tag electricians will collate their findings into detailed service reports that will outline whether or not your individual appliances and electrical equipment have passed their inspection and have been deemed up to code. Our test and tag electricians will also provide recommendations for boosting the overall safety of your workplace in their final test and tag reports, including suggestions for reorganising the placement of appliances and electrical equipment.

How often should you schedule your test and tag service?

Different appliances and commercial electrical equipment possess different timeframes wherein they should be routinely inspected. For instance, in accordance with Australian Standards AS 1851 – 2010 Maintenance of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment, fire safety equipment like blankets and extinguishers must be tested and tagged every six months. Smaller electrical appliances like printers or small kitchen appliances, can be tested every two or so years, whilst fridges, freezers and other larger appliances may be tested every four years. If you believe that an appliance or piece of equipment has developed a fault between test and tag appointments, however, it’s well worth requesting a formal inspection of the appliance or electrical equipment with your commercial electrician.