Test and Tag is the process of checking the safety of portable electrical appliances.

Usually,it involves two parts:

· Visually inspecting the appliance for any damage

· Electrical testing of the appliance with a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT).

Once the appliance has been tested, it is placed with a tag to ascertain that it has been tested, along with displaying who tested it, with the test date, and mentioning the next due test.

The fundamental reason behind doing testing and tagging is to ensure protection from any harm to the people in the workplace who will come into contact with the appliance, while also minimizing the risk quotient of an electrical accident. The Australian Standard Committee provides protocols and requirements for the test and tag industry with regards to the safety of electrical appliances. It sets out guidance to resolve issues like intervals between test and tag. It also defines general guidelines like who can test and tag and other importantregulations.

Who can perform theelectrical test and tag?

There is a generally knowndelusion that you have to be an electrician to perform test and tag. Nonetheless, Australian Standard suggests that someone who is considered a ‘Competent Person’ is also able to perform test and tag in Australia. The competency can be achieved by going through a tag and test course, where that person acquires the knowledge and skills in learning to use a PAT tester.

What type of equipment requires atest and tagging?

Usually, any appliance or a device that consists of a movable cable, a removable plug and is not low voltage (not exceeding 50V) requires testing and tagging to be done before any usage. This classification includes extension wires, cord sets, and portable RCD’s.

Generally, electrical test and tag can be done for the appliances which can be classed as either:

· Class I

This can be classified as an earthed appliance. For instance, kettles, irons, and toasters

· Class II

This can be further classified as Double insulated appliances, which are generallyanalyzed with a symbol (a square within a square) or with the words ‘Double Insulated’. For instance, most electric drills and hair dryers

It's worth citing that new equipment doesn't need to be tested - just visually inspected and tagged.

Who needs to test and tag?

Companies that are related to industries like construction, demolition, and mining are required to have their equipment and appliances tested and tagged every 3 months. It is like because of the severequality of the industry which is vulnerable to damage the equipment or appliances at a quicker rate. The test and tag colors will change for all the different time frames throughout the year, which efficiently make certain times of the year coincide with a particular test tag color.

Apart from these industries, doing testing and tagging is not a jurisdictive requirement for other enterprises. Nonetheless, the employer must ensure the safety of its manpower, which means that if someone gotinjured from an appliance or equipment that wasn’t tested and unsafe, the employer could be found liable. That’s why it’s the employer’s duty to have all portable electrical appliances tested on regular basis.

For more info : - test and tagging equipment