Called to manufacturing facility in Sockburn for annual testing and tagging. Company has 140 portable electrical items needing testing. Power tools in workshop, extension leads throughout factory, office equipment, kitchen appliances, floor cleaning machines. We tested every item systematically. Visual inspection for damage, earth continuity test, insulation resistance test, polarity check. Found three damaged extension leads and two tools with earth faults. Tagged failed items do not use. Passed items tagged with test date and next due date. Provided complete documentation listing all items tested with results. Facility manager appreciated thorough professional service keeping workplace compliant and safe. Workers protected from faulty equipment.
Testing and tagging protects workers from electrical hazards. Regular testing identifies faulty equipment before someone gets hurt. We provide professional testing services meeting workplace safety requirements.
What is Testing and Tagging
Testing and tagging is safety inspection of portable electrical equipment. Visual inspection checks for physical damage. Electrical testing verifies safety. Pass or fail tag attached showing test results. Test date and next due date on tag. Documentation provided listing all tested items. Legal requirement for workplaces protecting workers from electric shock.
Why Testing and Tagging Required
Workplace safety regulations require regular testing. Electrical equipment can develop faults causing electric shock risk. Damaged cables, failed insulation, loose connections all dangerous. Testing identifies problems before they injure workers. Employer duty of care requires safe equipment. Due diligence demonstrated through testing records. Prevents prosecution and liability. Most importantly protects workers.
What Equipment Needs Testing
All portable electrical equipment used at work. Power tools - drills, saws, grinders, sanders, impact drivers. Hand tools with electric motors. Extension leads and power boards used at work. Portable appliances - heaters, fans, fridges, microwaves. Office equipment - computers, monitors, printers, laminators. Kitchen appliances in staff rooms. Floor cleaning equipment. Basically anything with cord and plug used for work.
Construction Sites
Construction sites highest risk environment. Rough conditions damage equipment. Frequent testing required typically every three months. All power tools, extension leads, portable generators, site lighting. We test construction sites regularly keeping workers safe.
The Testing Process
Visual inspection first step. Check cable condition for cuts or damage. Inspect plug for cracks. Look at equipment casing for damage. Check strain relief where cable enters equipment. Visual identifies obvious problems.
Earth continuity test next. Measures resistance of earth conductor. Must be under 1 ohm typically. Verifies earth connection intact. Earth conductor critical for safety protecting from electric shock if fault develops.
Insulation resistance test follows. Applies high voltage between active conductors and earth. Measures leakage current. Insulation must resist typically 1 megohm minimum. Identifies deteriorating insulation before it fails completely.
Polarity check ensures correct wiring. Active and neutral correct way around. Reversed polarity dangerous. Simple test but important for safety.
Operational check if practical. Turn equipment on verify functions properly. Sometimes not possible with certain items but we check when we can.
Pass or Fail Tags
Items passing tests get pass tag. Shows test date, next test due date, tester details. Usually green color indicating safe to use. Workers know equipment tested and safe.
Failed items get fail tag. Usually red color. Says do not use. Identifies equipment needing repair or disposal. Prevents dangerous equipment being used accidentally.
Tags attach securely to equipment. Cable near plug common location. Durable tags withstand work environment. Clear information easily readable.
Testing Frequency
How often testing needed depends on equipment type and work environment. Higher risk means more frequent testing.
Construction sites every three months. Harsh environment damages equipment quickly. Frequent testing necessary.
Manufacturing and workshops every six months. Moderate risk environment. Power tools used regularly. Semi-annual testing appropriate.
Offices annually typically. Lower risk environment. Equipment stationary mostly. Annual testing sufficient.
Hire equipment tested before and after each hire. Protects hire company and customers. Equipment condition verified.
Equipment returning from repair needs retesting. Verify repair done properly before returning to service.
New equipment should be tested when first purchased. Manufacturing defects occasionally exist. Testing confirms equipment safe before workers use it.
Documentation and Records
Complete records essential. We provide detailed documentation. Asset register listing all tested items. Each item identified with unique number or description. Test results for each item recorded. Date tested and next due date noted. Tester identification included.
Records prove testing completed. Important for audits and inspections. WorkSafe inspectors may request testing records. Insurance companies sometimes require proof of testing. Records demonstrate due diligence protecting from liability.
We keep electronic copies. Provide copy to customer. Makes scheduling next testing easy. Can track testing history over time. Professional documentation service.
Did testing for office building in Addington. 60 items tested. Three failed including computer with damaged cable and extension lead with broken earth. Provided spreadsheet listing all items with results. Office manager filed documentation for compliance records.
Failed Equipment
When equipment fails what happens next. Failed items tagged do not use. Must not be used until repaired and retested. Employer responsible ensuring failed equipment not used.
Minor faults sometimes repairable. Damaged cable replaced. Loose plug repaired. Equipment retested after repair. If passes can return to service.
Major faults often mean disposal. Failed insulation usually not repairable. Internal faults too expensive to fix. Safer disposing of dangerous equipment. Replace with new safe equipment.
We advise on repair versus replace. Sometimes economic to repair. Often replacement better option. Safety always priority regardless of cost.
Workplace Compliance
Testing and tagging part of workplace safety obligations. Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers provide safe workplace. Electrical safety included. Testing portable equipment demonstrates compliance.
WorkSafe New Zealand enforces safety regulations. Can inspect workplaces. Request testing records. Non-compliance can result in penalties. More importantly puts workers at risk.
Due diligence defense available if proper systems in place. Regular testing and documentation proves due diligence. Protects employer if incident occurs. Shows reasonable steps taken to ensure safety.
Insurance Requirements
Some insurance policies require testing and tagging. Public liability insurance particularly. Insurers want to see safety measures in place. Testing records may be requested. Non-compliance could affect coverage or claims. Worth checking policy requirements.
Training and Qualifications
Testing and tagging requires proper training. Competent person must conduct testing. We have qualified technicians. Proper training in testing procedures. Experience identifying faults. Use calibrated testing equipment. Licensed electricians best qualified for testing.
Testing Equipment
We use professional testing equipment. Portable appliance tester combines all required tests. Calibrated regularly ensuring accurate results. Proper equipment essential for reliable testing. Cheap testers unreliable and dangerous. We invest in quality equipment protecting our customers.
Common Faults Found
Extension leads most common failures. Cables damaged from rough use. Plugs broken from abuse. Internal wiring poor quality deteriorates.
Power tools with damaged cables. Cable bent repeatedly near plug. Cores broken inside insulation. Visual inspection doesnt show problem but electrical test identifies.
Equipment with no earth. Some older appliances double insulated meant to have no earth. Modern equipment should have earth. Missing earth wire dangerous fault.
Poor quality equipment. Cheap imported items sometimes poorly made. Fail testing even when new. Better quality equipment safer and lasts longer.
Scheduling Testing
We schedule testing at your convenience. Minimize disruption to operations. Can test outside normal hours if needed. Large facilities may take several visits. We work systematically ensuring all equipment tested.
Arrange regular testing schedule. Annual or as required for your industry. We remind you when testing due. Take hassle out of compliance. Systematic approach ensures nothing missed.
Cost of Testing and Tagging
Pricing typically per item. Cost depends on number of items and complexity. Standard items like power tools and extension leads $3-5 each. More complex items or difficult access might be $5-8. Minimum callout applies for very small jobs.
Volume discounts for large numbers. Facility with hundreds of items gets better per item rate. Annual contracts available providing consistent service and pricing.
Small office 20 items maybe $100-150 total. Medium workshop 80 items around $300-400. Large facility 200+ items $600-1200. Fair pricing for essential safety service.
Compare cost to potential harm. Worker injured by faulty equipment costs far more. Medical costs, ACC, lost productivity, potential prosecution. Testing and tagging cheap insurance protecting workers and business.