Author: Metrotest

Why should you test and tag?
According to the Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010, a fitting or appliance is deemed to be electrically safe if it has a current tag issued in accordance with AS/NZS 3760.

So what is the AS/NZS 3760?
AS/NZS 3760 is referred to as the test and tag standard (the full given name of the standard is: In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment). This is a benchmark for test and tag as well as electrical safety and is referred to in many other New Zealand and Australian electrical standards. In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment AS/NZS 3760:2010 provides a process to reduce the risk of electrical shock to users of electrical equipment. It also incorporates the physical safety of the item to be tested, and if the item is in an unsafe state there are actions and steps outlined to remedy this. The Standard covers electrical equipment that connects to the mains supply by a flexible cord and plug.

Other standards and regulations that may be of interest when investigating test and tag include the AS/NZS 3012 (Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites). As the title suggests this covers the Electrical installations on construction and demolition sites however it also continues on to provide information about the frequency of inspection and testing and RCD testing.

AS/NZS 3551 (Management programs for medical equipment) outlines electrical tests that are required to be carried out on medical equipment. This is a very in-depth standard and has a multitude of additional information that must be adhered to when testing medical electrical equipment.

 
The above-mentioned standards are a snapshot of what may be required for electrical safety testing and there are many more that pertain to specific industries such as second hand or repaired equipment.

Health and safety at work regulations state that it is the duty of the PCBU to ensure the correct information, supervision, training, and instruction is provided for all staff. This would include any staff that may be carrying out electrical testing as a competent person, therefore once again bringing back into play the AS/NZS 3760 and the training requirements for a competent person.

Other regulations of interest:
AS/NZS 5761:2011 In-service safety inspection and testing – Second-hand electrical equipment prior to sale

AS/NZS 5762:2011 In-service safety inspection and testing – Repaired electrical equipment

AS/NZS 3019:2007 Electrical installations – Periodic verification

There is no better time to start your own test and tag business than now. When it comes to potentially dangerous tasks like testing and tagging electrical appliances, people are more likely to outsource rather than DIY. Business owners and company managers also have greater awareness now of their responsibility for ensuring their employees’ safety.

But before you go ahead and draw up a business plan, know what’s required to succeed within the industry so you can save yourself a lot of time and money.

1. Knowledge and competency

Besides having a strong understanding of the job, the bare minimum requirement here is obtaining competency. It’s not enough that you know the procedures and instruments involved. While you don’t have to be an electrician, you must pass the test in order to be considered a “competent person.”

How do you do that? By getting the proper training and advice, as well as getting practical experience with various test scenarios.

2. Testing equipment

There are different test equipment options available, and it’s imperative that you know each one very well. Basically, you must know the specific features to look for in a portable appliance testing (PAT) equipment. Since you’re offering test and tag as a service, you’ll need an extensive range of tests at your disposal.

When investing in test equipment, consider solutions that can be upgraded as your business grows. For example, some testers allow you to add a printing functionality.

Once you have established your Test and Tag business, Metrotest can assist with tag design and supply making you more competitive and professional than any other companies in you ares. Check out our current Test and Tag supplies.

3. Support network

Having support in every part of the business is vital to its success. Since you’re new to the business,  you’ll want to build a support network to help you at some point. This can include getting acquainted with industry associations to stay on top of industry updates, or knowing where to get technical advice when you’re onsite.

Aside from the technical aspects, you’ll also need support in the business part of it — bookkeeping, insurance, management, etc.

Satisfied clients are also an integral part of  strong support system. So as you start in the business, be sure to follow best practices. For instance, as we’re talking about potentially dangerous appliances and human safety, it’s a big no-no to take shortcuts when testing and tagging.

Mindful and quality service is what will build your reputation, which will result in repeat business.

4. Professional reporting

Since you are providing professional services, your level of reporting must be at the same standard. These reports are a company manager’s proof that they are doing their job of keeping employees safe at work. So more likely than not, they will require a detailed testing report that shows extra information other than the Pass/Fail remarks.

A professional report must include the items that were tested, actual test readings, testing/retesting dates, numerical values of the testing that was carried out etc. What you’ll need in addition to the right testing equipment is a software that will streamline the reporting process.

If you need help getting started, sign up for one of our Test and Tag Training Courses today!

 

 

When it comes to test and tag, Metrotest have been involved right from the beginning and creating Test and Tag labels is no exception.

That is why we thought is was time to shed some light on what you should be getting with your test and tag labels! You’re probably thinking a label is a label, what does it matter. Well you would be WRONG. Not all labels are created equal.

Think of it like this, if you are going to attach a label to a passed piece of electrical equipment, it must have certain information on the tag. Much like a warrant of fitness for a car, an electrical test and tag must state specific information.

So what are the requirements?

1) The tag must be:

1. Durable – Test and tag labels must be highly tear resistant. The ink used for printing must also be resistant to fading in order to protect the information written on the label. For these reasons, we at Metrotest use tough thermal transfer labels.
2. Non-Reusable – The test tag labels contain information that is specific to only one appliance for a particular period of time. This is to ensure accuracy of testing information at all times. Hence, the tag must not be reusable once removed.
3. Non-Metallic – Obviously, metals are electrical conductors so the test tag labels must be non-metallic.

2) Must state a test date

This is the date of the test. It should be clearly stated as well as the retest date to ensure that the appliance is inspected within the recommended test and tag interval for its class. This must be the date the test was carried out, a test month is not suitable.

3) Must state a retest date

Test and tag intervals vary depending on the classification of the electrical appliance and the environment in which it is used. In other words, one piece of electrical equipment may need retesting sooner than another one, so the retest date must be clearly stated to ensure safe operation and compliance. Essentially, the retest date also shows the validity period of the test tag.

4) Must state the name of the company or person who carried out the testing

Since any competent person can carry out test and tag, the ‘Tested By’ field can bear either the name of the person conducting the test and/or the company they represent. If you are using custom tags, then this field can basically be your name printed or the logo of the company doing the test.

5) Must reference the AS/NZS3760

It is compulsory to have the ‘Tested to AS/NZS 3760’ label printed on the test tag, which means the testing process was compliant with the Australian and New Zealand Standards. So you might think all tags will have this printed. However, tags that were imported from overseas or are old may lack this information so it’s a good idea to check.

Here are some other vital information that may be included in the test tag labels:

• Tag Number – Either pre-printed or handwritten, the tag number helps test and tag professionals with records keeping.
• Licence/Certificate Number – This is the individual test and tag licence/certificate number of your inspector. Although it is not a requirement, it shows your test and tag technician is duly qualified and competent.
• Plant Item Number – For purposes of records keeping, this field can provide easy reference for the item’s test history. This number remains the same for the life of the appliance.

Electrical equipment that are newly purchased in New Zealand must also be tested and tagged prior to going into service. In Australia only, aside from an ocular check, they won’t need any further inspection. It is customary to put ‘New to Service’ tags on such items which indicate that they will require testing and tagging in the future.

For a ‘New to Service’ tag, the following information must be stated:

• Date of entry to service
• Date of future testing
• “This appliance has not been tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3760”

These are required for your equipment to be compliant with the standard, if you do not meet all of these requirements or the contractor you have hired to carry out your testing does not have this information on the tags, the probability is that you are getting an appliance check rather than full electrical safety testing, which is likely fraudulent, and at the least, safety is uncertain. Is an appliance check that is not compliant really worth spending your money on?

There are provisions within the AS/NZS 3760 and AS/NZS3012 to use colour coding for testing periods, this is not a requirement for New Zealand however it can be very helpful. The use of different colour labels allows for the person carrying out the testing to easily identify out of date equipment and can also be seen by other staff to help keep on top of testing if required.

Generally, electrical devices or equipment used in construction, mining and demolition sites are required to use time-specific test tag colours:

RED	December – February
GREEN	March – May
BLUE	June – August
YELLOW	September – November

In all other industries, the use of a custom colour coding system is allowed. The most common colours used are blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, white, grey and red. We recommend using a different colour for each test and tagging period so it’s easier for you to check which items are due for testing and when.

Whether you need pre-printed tags or custom printed labels, we have the best solution for you. Call us on 0800 638 768 to discuss your test label options!