Category: Test And Tagging

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What type of accreditation will I get from doing test and tag training?

If you are reading this post you are probably wondering if you can get any recognized training accreditation when you sit a test and tag course. 

To answer this, we have to take a look at a few things. Firstly, what type of accreditation are you after? Currently, at the time of writing this post, within New Zealand there is no company that provides accreditation with NZQA regardless of what companies may say. So if you are looking for a company that can provide you with NZQA credits, you may struggle to find a provider – we could be wrong here though so feel free to reach out to us if you do know of any provider that does.

Secondly, some providers will say they are national accredited as an RTO provider. However, we are talking about New Zealand and an RTO qualified provider accreditation isn’t recognized in New Zealand; its Australian. So if you see it on a New Zealand training providers website, it’s a little misleading and doesn’t amount to anything in New Zealand. 

Thirdly, you have the result of what some of the largest training providers offer; their own licensing program. When you take a test and tag course and complete it successfully, and are deemed competent by your training provider, you are issued with a certificate and normally a license ID card.

What Should I look for in a training provider?

Here is where you need to be careful though. Some providers issue a license without a photo ID. Metrotest does provide a photo ID license on completion of training which we think is a must have. 

You should also consider the experience of the training provider. Some providers do training but they don’t actually do any testing and tagging, which means they don’t really have the hands on experience. Metrotest teaches what we do, having our own electrically qualified trainers who have test and tagging experience. 

Lastly, some providers do have other qualifications. For example, at the time of this post, Metrotest is a qualified EWRB (Electrical Workers Registration Board) trainer. When choosing what provider to go with, ask them do they actually have any electrical qualification recognition. 

So, to answer the question; can I be accredited for doing test and tag training?

Simple answer, currently no, not by New Zealand’s national qualification criteria. But, you can be sure that you will get recognized training from recognized providers like Metrotest who have close to 3 decades of experience training thousands of kiwis and Australians and are a registered training provider within New Zealand.

If there is a question we have missed or something you would like to discuss further, feel free to give us a call on 0800 638 768.

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How Often Do I Have To Test and Tag in New Zealand

If you follow our test and tag news you will know that we have covered this question many times in the past. Today’s information is more of a rehash and summary of what’s most important for you to know. 

 

To answer this quickly here is a summary to the question.  

 

How often electrical appliances should be inspected depends mainly on the type of environment where they are used or located. 

The general guidelines are as follows:

  • New appliances – before initial use
  • Building sites –every three months
  • Factories – every six months
  • Commercial workplaces, offices and most other applications – yearly or up to 5 years in some situations.

The AS/NZ 3760:2010 (Table 4) sets the minimum required standard interval for test and tag frequency in New Zealand. The frequencies may vary according to each workplace’s specific risk management practices and OHS planning.

The Following Table 4 from AS/NZ 3760 Test and Tag Intervals gives you a deeper insight of test and tag requirements and is shown as follows:

Test and Tag Table

Metrotest have been test and tagging for nearly 30 years in New Zealand. Not only have we helped many professionals over the years but most importantly we pride ourselves as the leaders in the Test and Tag industry by maintaining high standards of safety to the public, providing Test and Tag Training to professionals and helping manufacturers with test and tag appliance design and testing.

 

Our website contains a wealth of knowledge which we are confident you can benefit from. Should you need assistance or have questions you cannot find answers to, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

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Testing Your Commercial Workspace: The Essential Guide

Are you looking for an effective way to test and tag your commercial workspace? Test and tag are critical aspects of workplace safety. It is essential to ensure that all electrical equipment is regularly tested and tagged to comply with safety regulations. In this blog article, we will discuss the essential requirements for commercial workspace testing, the types of tests required, and the safety precautions to take when testing and tagging your workspace.

What is Test and Tag?

Test and tag is a process that involves testing and tagging all electrical equipment in a commercial workspace to ensure that it is safe to use. This process is done by a qualified electrician or a technician who has been trained to carry out the necessary tests. The electrician will inspect all electrical equipment to make sure that it is safe to use and that it is in compliance with safety regulations.

The electrician will then tag the equipment with a label or tag that states that the equipment has been tested and is safe to use. This tag will typically include information such as the date it was tested and the expiry date of the test. Test and tag are critical elements of workplace safety. It is essential to ensure that all electrical equipment is regularly tested and tagged to comply with safety regulations.

Benefits of Test and Tag

There are many benefits of test and tagging your commercial workspace. Firstly, it ensures that all electrical equipment is safe to use and that it is in compliance with safety regulations. This can help to reduce the risk of accidents or injury in the workplace. Secondly, it helps to protect the equipment from damage due to electrical faults or surges. This ensures that the equipment is functioning correctly and that it is not at risk of breaking down. Finally, it can also help to reduce the risk of fires in the workplace due to electrical faults.

Essential Requirements for Commercial Workspace Testing

In order to ensure that all electrical equipment in your commercial workspace is safe to use, there are certain requirements that must be met. Firstly, all equipment must be tested by a qualified electrician or a technician who has been trained to carry out the necessary tests. This ensures that the equipment is safe to use and that it is in compliance with safety regulations.

Secondly, all equipment must be labeled or tagged with a label or tag that states that the equipment has been tested and is safe to use. This label or tag must include information such as the date it was tested and the expiry date of the test. Finally, it is essential to keep a record of all tests and tags carried out so that you can refer back to them if needed.

Types of Tests Required for Commercial Workspace

There are several different types of tests that must be carried out on electrical equipment in a commercial workspace. Firstly, a visual inspection must be carried out to check for any obvious signs of damage or faults. Secondly, an insulation resistance test must be carried out to ensure that the insulation between the live and neutral parts of the equipment is not compromised. Thirdly, a polarity test must be carried out to ensure that the equipment is correctly wired.

Finally, an earth continuity test must be carried out to ensure that the equipment is correctly earthed. Each type of test must be carried out by a qualified electrician or a technician who has been trained to carry out the necessary tests.

Test and Tag Equipment Checklist

When testing and tagging your commercial workspace, it is essential to have a checklist of all the equipment that needs to be tested. This will help to ensure that all equipment is tested and that no equipment is missed. The checklist should include all electrical equipment such as power tools, machines, lighting, and sockets. It should also include any extension leads or cables that are used in the workspace.

The checklist should also include information such as the type of test that needs to be performed on each piece of equipment, the date the equipment was tested, and the expiry date of the test. This information should be recorded in a logbook or on a spreadsheet so that it can be easily referred to.

How to Test Your Commercial Workspace

Once you have a checklist of all the equipment that needs to be tested, it is time to start the test and tag process. Firstly, the electrician or technician must carry out a visual inspection of the equipment to check for any signs of damage or faults. They may also need to use specialized testing equipment such as an insulation resistance tester or a polarity tester.

Once the tests have been carried out, the electrician or technician will then tag the equipment with a label or tag that states that the equipment has been tested and is safe to use. This label or tag will typically include information such as the date it was tested and the expiry date of the test.

Test and Tag Safety Precautions

When testing and tagging your commercial workspace, it is essential to take the necessary safety precautions. Firstly, the electrician or technician must make sure that they are wearing the appropriate safety equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, and ear protection. Secondly, they must ensure that all equipment is switched off and unplugged before they start testing. Finally, they must ensure that they are not working in wet or damp conditions as this could lead to electric shock.

Test and Tag Record Keeping

It is essential to keep a record of all tests and tags carried out in the commercial workspace. This record should include information such as the type of test that was performed, the date the equipment was tested, and the expiry date of the test. This information should be recorded in a logbook or on a spreadsheet so that it can be easily referred to.

This record should be kept up to date and any changes should be noted. This helps to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe to use and that it is in compliance with safety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Test and Tag

Q: How often should electrical equipment be tested and tagged? A: Electrical equipment should be tested and tagged at least every 12 months or if there is any change in the equipment.

Q: What type of tests are required for a commercial workspace? A: The types of tests required for commercial workspace include visual inspection, insulation resistance test, polarity test, and earth continuity test.

Q: What safety precautions should be taken when testing and commercial tagging workspace? A: When testing and tagging commercial workspace, it is essential to take the necessary safety precautions such as wearing the appropriate safety equipment, switching off and unplugging the equipment, and avoiding wet or damp conditions.

Q: Do I need to keep a record of all tests and tags that have been carried out? A: Yes, it is essential to keep a record of all tests and tags that have been carried out in order to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe to use and that it is in compliance with safety regulations.

Fire_test_and_tag

Conclusion

Test and tag are critical aspects of workplace safety. It is essential to ensure that all electrical equipment is regularly tested and tagged to comply with safety regulations. This blog article has discussed the essential requirements for commercial workspace testing, the types of tests required, the test and tag equipment checklist, how to test your commercial workspace, test and tag safety precautions, and test and tag record keeping.

Call Metro Test today and test and tag your commercial workspace! Test and tagging your commercial workspace is essential to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe to use and that it is in compliance with safety regulations.

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Now is the right time to Test and Tag all your appliances

 

Has your electrical equipment been tested and tagged? The risk of not testing and tagging your equipment could be fatal. Metrotest caters to all test and tag services for your appliances, tools, and machinery to ensure that all electrical items are safe for use.

 

Schools

When was the last time your school had its equipment tested and tagged? If your equipment is new or not, live electrical equipment should always be tested and tagged to ensure its safety for operation. Metro Test owns a range of specialist equipment to certify the safety of all electrical appliances for schools’ peace of mind.

 

Commercial and factories

New Zealand’s official work safety standards require all businesses to ensure that their electrical appliances and equipment are safe. Testing and tagging your equipment are a sure way to safeguard your equipment from injury to others and damage to property in the event of a malfunction.

Testing and labeling your equipment as safe at the time the test was performed will help catch potentially fatal equipment which gives the opportunity to make remedies before any serious harm or damage can be done.

Metro Test offers special pricing for commercial customers, learn how you can assess the safety of your equipment here.

 

Test and tag all appliances

It is an employer’s responsibility to take all practical steps to ensure the safety of their employees whilst they are at work. Employers should test and tag all appliances to ensure their safety.

This includes:
• Checking for obvious damage
• Checking all operation controls are working as intended
• Checking all electrical cords are free from damage or strain
• Checking covers and guards are unobstructed.

Tradespeople’s power tools

Metro Test offers products and services to test trade-designed power tools and machinery. Get your power tools tested to ensure the safety of the tools and machinery. Operating these tools could risk serious harm or damage to property. Some worksites require that all tools and machinery be tested and tagged for safety.

Inspection and testing should be assessed by a competent professional. This person is not required to be licensed but should have great expertise in the field.

Call Metro Test today and discover what appliances and equipment may be defective in your workplace and how they can be prevented.

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Testing and Tagging Commercial Spaces

Commercial testing and tagging services ensure that appliances are safe and ready to use in a commercial environment. New Zealand work safety standards outline requirements for companies to make sure their electrical appliances are safe. One solution is to test and tag your appliances.

Continue reading Testing and Tagging Commercial Spaces

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Guide to PAT Testing in New Zealand this 2021

As we welcome another year, many businesses and organizations are now preparing to have their appliances tested for electrical safety. As required by the law, business owners need to check the condition of their electrical equipment to prevent accidents and other untoward incidents in the workplace.

The best way one can do this is by regularly conducting PAT testing (Appliance testing) in the workplace or even at home. The process helps ensure your tools and appliances are safe for you and others to use. It also helps you keep track of potential repair or maintenance work to keep the appliance in a good and safe working condition for a long time.

How Does Testing and Tagging Works?

It’s important to note that appliance testing itself is not a legal requirement but safe tools in the work environment are, making the process 100% necessary. PAT testing applications are the most effective way to check your electrical equipment for safety and functionality. Below are some of the specific types of appliances that need to undergo routine PAT testing:

  • Stationary appliances – These include washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, vending machines, and other types of electrical equipment that rarely gets moved due to their weight or the purpose they serve.
  • Movable appliances – Any electrical device weighing less than 18 kilograms and has wheels that allow for easy transport, such as portable AC units.
  • Portable electrical devices – Includes any device weighing no more than 18 kilograms, such as electric kettles and toasters.
  • Hand-held equipment – Some examples include a hairdryer and chainsaw. Such equipment poses high risks of electrocution because you need to hold them while you plug them in.
  • IT equipment – This could refer to anything IT-related such as desktop computers, laptops, internet routers, and servers.

Many of the above appliances could be considered class one or class two appliances. Look at the label for clarification.

The process involves visually inspecting the equipment’s key components and checking the wiring insulation and grounding continuity. With these tests, you can determine whether your electrical device might pose risks for injuries and/or fire hazards. It can also help you determine whether you can continue using your appliance or opt for a replacement as soon as possible.

PAT Testing – Your Available Options

You have the option to test and tag on your own. Here at MetroTest, you can undergo professional training and shop for all the equipment needed for testing and such as our in-house PAT testers and label printers. If you’re not keen on testing the device on your own or if you don’t want to invest in testing equipment, you can hire a professional through Metrotest. Our team can lend you a hand with all your PAT testing needs.

You can enroll yourself or others into our in-house or online competency training courses to help gain basic or advanced knowledge needed in operating PAT testing equipment. It’s an ideal option, especially if you have a lot of electrical devices this can save thousands each year. It also allows you to test your appliances whenever convenient to you or your workload. As long as it’s done before your tags expire.

What Happens if the Device Passes or Fails the Test?

The testing procedure could either result in a PASS or FAIL. If your device passes the test, it’s deemed safe for use and gets a compliance tag. On one hand, if it doesn’t meet the standards, it fails the tests and you’ll need to remove it from service or undertake some maintenance or repair works as required.

Make sure to get in touch with us if you need help with any appliance testing requirements. Avoid repairs yourself if you lack the qualifications required as this may require further training (in New Zealand you are required to be electrically registered and have a current practicing license as this is prescribed electrical work)

Need PAT testing done? Metrotest can schedule a time that works for you!