AS/NZS3760

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xpd

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#193795 24-Mar-2016 15:13

Does anyone adhere to this in a standard business ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AS/NZS_3760

Ive been asked by our (relatively new) Health and Safety guy when it was last done within our office for all our servers, desktops etc........ Ive never had it asked of me in any position I've been in :)

XPD / Gavin

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#1519106 24-Mar-2016 15:20

Happens all the time in businesses I used to visit.

Pretty sure you have have some sort of electricians qualification to be able to approve any device. EDIT: Apparently experience will do, but I'm pretty sure someone has to guage you as being competent/experienced enough.

I've been considering getting it myself, its about a 2 day course, and is practically a license to print money (charge $50 per 'tag'). Wander around office, test equipment, cha-ching!

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#1519111 24-Mar-2016 15:28

Quite common. They expected a friend's work to pull all the crap out of the rack to test and tag it once. Got told to get stuffed pretty quickly.

AFAIK it's only compulsory on building sites and similar.

Richard rich.ms

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#1519140 24-Mar-2016 16:30

In my opinion this testing and tagging regime for office equipment is complete BS and as pointed out is a license to print money. I've had a couple of former clients on the annual test and tag cycle, but I'm seeing it less than 5 years ago.

A regular visual inspection is far more reasonable.

http://www.safetyaction.com.au/latest-news/articles/2013/oct/electrical-test-and-tag-is-it-compulsory/

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BruceHamilton

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#1519170 24-Mar-2016 17:18

Dairyxox:

I've been considering getting it myself, its about a 2 day course, and is practically a license to print money (charge $50 per 'tag'). Wander around office, test equipment, cha-ching!

No idea where the $50/test comes from. I have about 200 items, and pay around $5/test. Many of the testers I encounter are retired sparkies or technicians on contract, and get about $2/item.

As far as I'm aware, all workplaces have to mains plug-in items tested, in cycles ranging from 1 year to five years, depending on type of use. Most computer stuff is fixed location, and five years would be OK, but a skilsaw or concrete mixer is likely to be more frequent. The new Worksafe rules are likely to make company directors much more likely to ensure they comply.

Note that any business with plug-in equipment ( fridges, ovens, mixers, computers, power tools, etc ) would be expected to have these tests performed - it's a legal requirement. Otherwise their insurers might keep their hands in their pockets when a claim is submitted, as insurance policies require businesses to comply with the law.

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#1519172 24-Mar-2016 17:19

We have hundreds of leads in our production business, I just purchased the machine and we do it ourselves. Cost of machine was 3.5k and we have a rotational setup where everything is tested and tagged.

You don't have to be certified to do the testing as long as you have the correct equipment.

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#1519180 24-Mar-2016 17:28

richms: Quite common. They expected a friend's work to pull all the crap out of the rack to test and tag it once. Got told to get stuffed pretty quickly.

AFAIK it's only compulsory on building sites and similar.

1) Not required to be an electrician to test and tag, only competent (yes there are courses you can go on be become competent)

2) It is required for all in service appliances (that's things that plug in), there is no restriction just to building sites and similar

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#1519210 24-Mar-2016 18:13

Where is your evidence that testing and tagging is required? I offer the following evidence that it is not:

http://www.safetyaction.com.au/latest-news/articles/2013/oct/electrical-test-and-tag-is-it-compulsory/

http://hannonconsulting.co.nz/?p=202

http://www.energysafety.govt.nz/legislation-policy/electricity-acts-regulations-codes/regulatory-guidance-notes/application-of-as-nzs-3760

As long as you have basic procedures in place and are not behaving in a reckless manner, T&T is not compulsory (especially if RCDs are used on the supply). Those with a vested interest (i.e. the T&T industry) would have you believe otherwise.

Construction sites are an exception and testing is required.

If an employer were behaving in a reckless manner with tagged equipment they would be just as liable to be prosecuted.

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BruceHamilton

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#1519238 24-Mar-2016 18:38

Dynamic:

Where is your evidence that testing and tagging is required?

Part a of Section 26 of New Zealand Electrical ( Safety ) Regulations 2010. Note the use of the word "current", which refers to the standard, which suggests testing frequency....

26 When fittings and appliances in use deemed to be electrically safe

(1) This regulation applies to a fitting or appliance that is in use, or available for use,— (a) by an employee or contractor of the owner of the fitting or appliance; or (b) under a hire or lease agreement with the owner of the fitting or appliance; or (c) by the occupier of premises that are rented or leased from the owner of the fitting or appliance.

(2) A fitting or appliance to which this regulation applies is deemed to be electrically safe if, at the time when it is first made available for use,

(a) it has a current tag issued in accordance with AS/NZS 3760;

or (b) it is supplied with electricity through a portable RCD that— (i) provides protection from electric shock; and (ii) has a current tag issued in accordance with AS/NZS 3760;

or (c) it is supplied with electricity through a circuit protected by an electrically safe RCD that provides protection from electric shock.

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#1519239 24-Mar-2016 18:39

Those only list when it is deemed safe not that it is deemed unsafe without it.

Richard rich.ms

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#1519241 24-Mar-2016 18:41

BruceHamilton:

Dynamic:

Where is your evidence that testing and tagging is required?

Part a of Section 26 of New Zealand Electrical ( Safety ) Regulations 2010. Note the use of the word "current", which refers to the standard, which suggests testing frequency....

26 When fittings and appliances in use deemed to be electrically safe

(1) This regulation applies to a fitting or appliance that is in use, or available for use,— (a) by an employee or contractor of the owner of the fitting or appliance; or (b) under a hire or lease agreement with the owner of the fitting or appliance; or (c) by the occupier of premises that are rented or leased from the owner of the fitting or appliance.

(2) A fitting or appliance to which this regulation applies is deemed to be electrically safe if, at the time when it is first made available for use,

(a) it has a current tag issued in accordance with AS/NZS 3760;

or (b) it is supplied with electricity through a portable RCD that— (i) provides protection from electric shock; and (ii) has a current tag issued in accordance with AS/NZS 3760;

or (c) it is supplied with electricity through a circuit protected by an electrically safe RCD that provides protection from electric shock.

Correct. or (c) it is supplied with electricity through a circuit protected by an electrically safe RCD that provides protection from electric shock.

Our office power is supplied through RCDs. No testing and tagging required.

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gregmcc

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#1519243 24-Mar-2016 18:44

Dynamic:

Where is your evidence that testing and tagging is required? I offer the following evidence that it is not:

http://www.safetyaction.com.au/latest-news/articles/2013/oct/electrical-test-and-tag-is-it-compulsory/

http://hannonconsulting.co.nz/?p=202

http://www.energysafety.govt.nz/legislation-policy/electricity-acts-regulations-codes/regulatory-guidance-notes/application-of-as-nzs-3760

As long as you have basic procedures in place and are not behaving in a reckless manner, T&T is not compulsory (especially if RCDs are used on the supply). Those with a vested interest (i.e. the T&T industry) would have you believe otherwise.

Construction sites are an exception and testing is required.

If an employer were behaving in a reckless manner with tagged equipment they would be just as liable to be prosecuted.

All practicable steps, as set out in health and safety regulations, having a testing and tagging process in effect that is in line with the standard is showing steps are been taken.

As far as RCD's go is there anyway anyone (except for a suitability qualified electrician) can determine if a socket they are plugging in to is RCD protected?

It's all about risk management, do the task to the prescribed standard and the risk goes down, do it some other non compliant way and the risk goes up

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#1519248 24-Mar-2016 18:56

Dynamic:

BruceHamilton:

Dynamic:

Where is your evidence that testing and tagging is required?

Part a of Section 26 of New Zealand Electrical ( Safety ) Regulations 2010. Note the use of the word "current", which refers to the standard, which suggests testing frequency....

26 When fittings and appliances in use deemed to be electrically safe

(1) This regulation applies to a fitting or appliance that is in use, or available for use,— (a) by an employee or contractor of the owner of the fitting or appliance; or (b) under a hire or lease agreement with the owner of the fitting or appliance; or (c) by the occupier of premises that are rented or leased from the owner of the fitting or appliance.

(2) A fitting or appliance to which this regulation applies is deemed to be electrically safe if, at the time when it is first made available for use,

(a) it has a current tag issued in accordance with AS/NZS 3760;

or (b) it is supplied with electricity through a portable RCD that— (i) provides protection from electric shock; and (ii) has a current tag issued in accordance with AS/NZS 3760;

or (c) it is supplied with electricity through a circuit protected by an electrically safe RCD that provides protection from electric shock.

Correct. or (c) it is supplied with electricity through a circuit protected by an electrically safe RCD that provides protection from electric shock.

Our office power is supplied through RCDs. No testing and tagging required.

I would be very surprised if every single socket in your office is supplied through RCD's

Having done a lot of commercial and industrial electrical work, RCD's are only put in when there is a specific need for RCD protection, such as in damp situations. I would be interested in seeing some photo's of your distribution board to support your statement "Our office power is supplied through RCDs.... "

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#1519249 24-Mar-2016 18:57

gregmcc: All practicable steps, as set out in health and safety regulations, having a testing and tagging process in effect that is in line with the standard is showing steps are been taken.

As far as RCD's go is there anyway anyone (except for a suitability qualified electrician) can determine if a socket they are plugging in to is RCD protected?

A quick visit from an electrician will confirm or deny whether the building/floor/office is protected by an RCD. Retrofitting RCDs will be cheaper than 2 years of tagging (if I remember pricing correctly).

It's all about risk management, do the task to the prescribed standard and the risk goes down, do it some other non compliant way and the risk goes up

Agreed. Paying someone to do testing and tagging is a risk-reduction measure, though it does not eliminate the risk. Other suitable risk-reduction measures that the person implementing is prepared to defend may be suitable as well.

I'm a DIY kinda guy. And I've learned not to accept the word of anyone in sales, including Test & Tag sales people.

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#1519254 24-Mar-2016 19:11

gregmcc: I would be interested in seeing some photo's of your distribution board to support your statement "Our office power is supplied through RCDs.... "

RCD protected office

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xpd

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#1519256 24-Mar-2016 19:15

Well, I'm going to keep out of it..... I think its complete BS TBH..... will leave it up to office management to sort out, Ill let whoever they want into the server room etc and thats it.

Seems crazy weve got to dig out everything that plugs in.....

XPD / Gavin

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