I have used a degree of techno speak above, if you don't understand it, you are not competent to test electrical appliances — Steve H
OK I admit it. I don't fully understand it — Peter Bateman
I think that there is the crux of the TnT issue....who seem to barely understand what it is that they are there to do. — Steve H
After all if the client sees this as purely a compliance cost, why would they engage someone who is just going to increase that cost by making them service/replace some of their equipment? — MattD2
5 Using works, installations, fittings, appliances, and associated equipment
(1) A person who owns or operates works, installations, fittings,or appliances must not use, and must
not allow any other person to use, the works, installations, fittings, or appliances if the works,
installations, fittings, or appliances are electrically unsafe. — Steve H
it does not say an appliance without one is is electrically unsafe. — MattD2
However, it's not mandatory. What is legally required is that equipment is electrically safe and maintained in a safe condition. — Craig Marriott
It is up to the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU) to decide whether to test and tag. They can either get the testing equipment and train up a worker, or hire a third-party to carry out the testing. — Craig Marriott
It's interesting that Energy Safety's "advice" on Testing and Taagging, doesn't provide for any alternative way to get to "deemed safe" Matt, and discharge the obligation that Reg 15 imposes, and thus far no one else has either, but you are correct, the absence of a tag doesn't make the item "unsafe", but it does mean the "safety" of the item is unknown — Steve H
following the get out of jail card afforded by following Reg 26 to get to "deemed safe" — Steve H
Are There Any Instances Where Testing And Tagging Is Required? — Steve H
As I understand it, Reg90 only requires the testing of appliance that has been worked on before releasing the item to another person, no need for tagging it. A — MattD2
but unless we have case law that clarifies that Reg90 intention was that the appliance is to be tagged then we can't really say for sure either way. — MattD2
I envisage a generic "Test and Tag to 3760 requirements" paper, and a "Test and Tag to 3102" extension paper for building site test and tag, along with pulling in a standard electrical NZQA paper covering basic safety while working with electricity. I see this evolving into a "test and tag" qualification in its own right, able to be completed by anyone, but subject to some external scrutiny (maybe from the EWRB) that would put a stop to the tick and flick brigade by either having to prepare their trainees for an externally assessed competency test, or at least having some external oversight on their training activities. Having two test and tag unit standards that could be pulled into various classes of electrical registration would help lift the qualified folks game. — Steve H
That's a huge part of the whole issue Matt, we have an Electrical Regulator that isn't fit for purpose, it lacks the resources to get Regulations citing Standards updated to the latest versions, much less investigate instances of non compliance, or provide clear guidance on alternative solutions to safe outcomes that will comply with the various provisions of the regulations that it is responsible for . — Steve H
DR 21012 AS/NZS 3760:2021 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCD’s
This standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee EL 036 – In-service testing of electrical equipment to supersede AS/NZS 3760:2010 and its Amendment No. 1 (2011) and Amendment No. 2 (2012) 12 months from the date of publication. This edition has undergone a complete revision.
In-service testing is a necessary part of any safety programme to help ensure the safety of persons using electrical equipment in the workplace. This standard specifies in-service safety inspection and testing protocols and criteria that satisfy these obligations, and provides a cost-effective approach to safety without jeopardizing personnel safety or involving excessive equipment downtime.
Note: In-service testing and inspection deals with the safety of electrical equipment and not just the electrical safety.
The philosophy of the document is to provide an inspection and testing regime capable of implementation with only simple instrumentation, and performed by a person not necessarily having formal qualifications or registration, but who has the necessary practical and theoretical skills, acquired through training, qualification, experience or a combination of these, to correctly undertake the tasks prescribed by this standard.
Closing date for comments 23/8/2021 — EL036 A/NZ Standards Committee
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