Electrical Equipment Safety Policy

Organisational Commitment

The University is required by the WA Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and WA OSH Regulations 1996 to provide a safe working environment. Employees and contractors are required to comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3760-2003 and AS/NZS 3012-2003 as a means of achieving this requirement. Students and visitors are required to comply with the University Workplace Inspections and Electrical Safety Pamphlet as a means of achieving this requirement. All electrical equipment owned or used on UWA property will be subject to this compliance and be tagged as detailed in Clause 2.4.2. of AS/NZS 3760:2003.

Management Commitment

Local area management is responsible to:

1. Conduct a Risk Assessment of the environment in which the electrical equipment will be used. The outcomes will classify if an area is a Non Hostile Environment or a Hostile Environment . It is likely there will be both Non Hostile Environments and Hostile Environments within the same School/Unit. Documented risk assessments need to be kept for seven years, or such period as may be required by the relevant regulator.

A Non Hostile Environment is a workplace that is dry, clean, well organised and free of operating conditions that may result in damage to electrical equipment or the flexible supply cord.

A Hostile Environment is one wherein the equipment or appliance is normally subject to events or operating conditions which may result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected lifespan. This includes but is not limited to physical abuse, exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive chemicals, and dust.

2. If an area is classified as a Non Hostile Environment, then the following apply:

• New equipment must be visually inspected by a competent person, to ensure no physical damage is evident. The equipment must be tagged with a visual inspection tag (testing is not required) in accordance with AS/NZS 3760:2003 section 1.2.1 and UWA Electrical Equipment Work Environment.
• It is not necessary to keep a record of tagging visual inspections for Non Hostile Environments
• It is recommended that a polarity test be done on all separate electrical leads to check they are wired correctly.
• Existing equipment that has been tested and tagged already can revert to a tagging only status after a visual inspection and the retest date on the tag can be crossed through to indicate it is not applicable. The test tag should not be removed and a visual inspection tag must be fitted.
• Privately owned electrical equipment brought onto UWA property must be visually inspected and tagged with a visual inspection tag before use in a Non Hostile Environment.
• Regular Workplace Inspections must be carried out to ensure a visual inspection of electrical equipment occurs and workplace records need to be kept.
• Any faulty items must be removed from service, clearly marked as faulty and repaired or replaced.

Any item of electrical equipment requiring electrical repair must be tested and tagged in accordance with AS/NZS3760:2003, before returning to a Non Hostile environment, where a retest period is not required if regular Workplace Inspections are carried out.

For a Non Hostile Environment  a Competent Person is one who the local area management ensures has the necessary practical and observational skills to correctly undertake the visual inspections required to ensure a safe working environment. An understanding and application of the UWA Electrical Safety Pamphlet, UWA Workplace Inspection and Risk Assessment for Electrical Equipment Guideline and the Safety Checklist shall be considered the minimum requirements to carry out the visual inspections.

3. If an area is assessed as being a Hostile Environment then all electrical equipment used in that area must be tested and tagged  by either a Competent Person as defined is AS/NZS 3760:2003 or Facilities Management or an approved external contractor. Regular Workplace Inspections must be carried out to ensure a visual inspection of electrical equipment occurs and workplace inspection records are kept.  

The Competent Person is required to assess the class of equipment and the frequency of testing, determined by the operating environment and the hazards and risks associated with the use of the equipment. The Competent Person shall have a copy of AS/NZS 3760:2003 to provide them with the testing frequency, relevant tables, record keeping, and suggested test processes. The following procedures and guidelines are available for their guidance.

Note: New to Service Electrical Equipment should be Visually Inspected and tagged with a Visual Inspection Tag, upon receipt, under the Non Hostile Environment requirements. This ensures that non compliant electrical equipment does not enter into service. This equipment will then be tested and tagged as part of the normal cycle.

Personal Commitment

Users shall ensure electrical equipment has a current tag attached before using the equipment.  If no tag is attached or if the equipment is overdue for inspection/testing it is the user's responsibility to ensure that this is done.

Electrical Safety Procedures and Guidelines

• Creating a Non Hostile Electrical Work Environment
• Electrical Equipment Work Environment.
• Electrical Equipment Safety Inspection Checklist
• Portable Appliance Testing and Tagging Guideline. This requires a Competent Person who is familiar with the equipment  and tests.
• Electrical Test Equipment Testing and Tagging Guideline. This requires a current Restricted, Electrical or Contractors license issued by WA Energy Safety.
• UWA Electrical Safety Pamphlet

References

AS/NZS 3760:2003 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment - available through UWA Library on line resources via the intranet.