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Electrical Testing and Inspection NSW Requirements
Overview
In general terms, there are two principle requirements for NSW business owners and facility
managers to meet:
1) Electrical Safety in the workplace, which includes:
Electrical inspection and Testing of Appliances/Equipment
Electrical inspection and testing of Residual Current Devices (RCDs) as required
under Work Health and Safety regulations
2) Exit and Emergency lighting inspection and testing
These obligations apply to all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) at a
workplace. The following sections examine each requirement in detail, to provide a better
understanding of the legislation, requirements and penalties for non-compliance.
1 Electrical Safety in the Workplace
1.1 Electrical Testing and Inspection of Appliances/Equipment
WorkCover Authority of NSW requires the following:
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) at a workplace must ensure that the/all
electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person if the electrical
equipment:
is supplied with electricity through an
electrical socket outlet (plug in
equipment) and
used in an environment in which itsnormal use exposes the equipment to
operating conditions that are likely to
result in damage to the equipment or a
reduction in its expected life span. This
includes conditions such as exposure
to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical
damage, corrosive chemicals or dust.
The Work Health and Safety Regulations provide further guidance for PCBU at a workplace to
support the Authoritys position.
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The key points to note are:
All electrical equipment that is used in a workplace in an environment that is likely to
reduce the lifespan or damage the equipment must be tested every 3 months.(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 150)
The person conducting business accepts the responsibility for determining the equipment
to be tested and must ensure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested
by a competent person.
(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 150)
Failure to comply will result in fines up to $3,600 for individuals and $18,000 for body
corporates.(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 150)
Kerfoot Electrics qualified electrical tradespeople will visit your workplace to make a full
assessment based on the appropriate legislation to ensure all electrical assets are catalogued,
inspected and tested in accordance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 In service safety
inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
Contact our Customer Service team on (02) 9838 7744 to schedule an appointment or email
Kerfoot ElectricsCustomer Service Online.
1.2 Electrical inspection and testing of Residual Current Devices
Residual Current Devices (RCDs), commonly referred to as safety switches, are electrical safety
devices designed to immediately switch off the supply of electricity when electricity leaking to
earth is detected at harmful levels. RCDs offer high levels of personal protection from electric
shock.
WorkCover Authority of NSW advises:
From 1 January 2013, new requirements for residual
current devices (RCDs) will apply to workplaces where
plug in electrical equipment (electrical equipment
supplied with electricity through a socket outlet) is used in the
following operating environments:
electrical equipment is exposed to operating
conditions that are likely to result in damage to the
equipment (or a reduction in its expected life span)
including conditions that involve exposure to
moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage,
corrosive chemicals or dust
electrical equipment is moved between different locations in circumstances where damage
to the equipment or to a flexible electricity supply cord is reasonably likely
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electrical equipment is frequently moved during its normal use
electrical equipment forms part of, or is used with, an amusement device.
If electricity is supplied through a socket outlet that does not exceed 20 amps, then the RCD must
have a tripping current that does not exceed 30 milliamps. This does not apply if the supply of
electricity to the electrical equipment:
does not exceed 50 volts alternating current
is direct current
is provided through an isolating transformer that provides at least an equivalent level of
protection
is provided from a non earthed socket outlet supplied by an isolated winding portable
generator that provides at least an equivalent level of protection.
The Workplace Health and Safety Regulations provide further guidance for PCBU at a workplace
to support the Authoritys position. The key points to note are:
All electrical equipment that is used in a workplace in an environment that is likely to
reduce the lifespan or damage the equipment must be protected by Residual Current
Device.
(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 165)
The person conducting business accepts the responsibility for determining the equipment
to be protected and must ensure that Residual Current Device is regularly inspected andtested by a com petent person every 3 mon ths.
(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 165)
Failure to comply will result in fines up to $3,600 for individuals and $18,000 for body
corporates.
(WH&S Regulation 2011 No 674 Clause 165)
Kerfoot Electrics qualified electrical tradespeople will visit your workplace to make a full
assessment based on the appropriate legislation to ensure all Residual Current Devices are
inspected and tested in accordance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760 In service safety
inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
Contact our Customer Service team on (02) 9838 7744 to schedule an appointment or email
Kerfoot ElectricsCustomer Service Online.
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2 Exit and Emergency Light testing and maintenance
In the event of a serious incident in your workplace, your staff and customers will need to quicklyand safely exit a potentially dangerous environment. It is therefore imperative your emergency
and exit lighting systems are compliant and functioning correctly.
Kerfoot Electrics qualified electrical tradespeople will visit your
workplace to make a full assessment to ensure all Exit and
Emergency lighting systems are inspected and tested in
accordance withAustralian Standard AS/NZS 2293.2
We conduct a 6-monthly and 12-monthly testing regime in
accordance with AS 2293 which includes:
Discharge Test
Replacement of tubes and starters
Cleaning of diffusers
Battery replacement
Full condition report
Contact our Customer Service team on (02) 9838 7744 to schedule an appointment or email
Kerfoot ElectricsCustomer Service Online.
3 Thermal Imagery
Although not currently a prescribed requirement under the
legislation, many organisations are now turning to thermal imagery
as a proactive approach to preventing expensive electrical
disruptions through switchgear and controls failures.
Our trained technicians use infrared thermography to identify 'hot
spots' in electrical equipment. These 'hot spots', illustrates highresistance areas which may indicate impending failure and possible
fire.
Insurance companies and business continuity planners are requiring
more of this non-invasive testing to maintain a proactive low risk
management philosophy for business.
Contact our Customer Service team on (02) 9838 7744 to schedule an appointment or email
Kerfoot ElectricsCustomer Service Online.
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Compliance Audit
Report and
Recommendations
Update EnterpriseManagement
System
4 Kerfoot Compliance Systems
Our Enterprise Management System (EMS) is specifically designed to meet the requirements
defined above.
Our EMS records the asset on
your site and schedules all
required testing to meet the
defined obligations for your
workplace.
Our three step approach is
designed to provide all necessary
compliance reporting and remedial
action to ensure the highest safetystandards are achieved for your
Staff and Customers.
Step 1. Compliance Auditensures all assets are tested strictly in accordance the
standards and legislation. Our EMS ensures all elements of the testing regime are
completed with outcomes notes in a structured reporting framework.
Step 2. Report and Recommendationsensure the compliance audit outcomes
documented and actioned to maintained the highest safety standards for yourworkplace. Our reports are held within our EMS and made available on line to
customers for third party and statutory compliance (Insurance and WH&S auditor
etc).
Step 3. Update Enterprise Management Systemmaintains the accuracy and currency of
information within our EMS. Our EMS is finally updated with any changes or
additional assets noted in the report and recommendations ready for the next
compliance audit.