Electrical Equipment Safety: Building a Culture, Not Just a Checklist

When it comes to managing workplace safety, electrical risks are often treated as something that can be solved with a quick test and tag. Yet electrical hazards are not a ‘set and forget’ issue. To create truly safe workplaces, especially across diverse environments like workshops, offices, construction sites, and even home offices, we must move beyond compliance and towards embedding a safety culture.

At the heart of this cultural shift is the regular, risk-based inspection and testing of electrical equipment — a legal obligation for every business or person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) in Australia.

Understanding the Real Risk

Electricity, though invisible and often taken for granted, has the potential to cause serious injury or death. Damaged cords, faulty equipment, moisture exposure, or simple wear and tear can turn everyday appliances into deadly hazards. Particularly in workplaces where equipment is exposed to harsh conditions such as heat, vibration, or dust, regular inspection and testing are not just best practice — they are mandatory.

New requirements set clear penalties: individuals face expiation fees of $432, and corporations $2,160, for failing to meet their obligations. But financial consequences aside, the human cost of overlooking electrical safety can be devastating.

 Who’s Responsible? Competence Matters

Only a competent person can carry out electrical inspections and testing. This could be a licensed electrician or someone trained through a nationally recognised course, such as in Portable Appliance Testing (PAT). Knowledge and experience matter — because the person doing the testing must be able to spot not just obvious faults, but subtle indicators that equipment may be nearing failure.

Businesses should be proactive in either employing competent staff or partnering with qualified service providers. Skimping on this step exposes workplaces to unnecessary risk.

 Risk-Based Testing: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

There is no single schedule for electrical equipment testing that suits every workplace. The environment, the way equipment is used, and the type of gear all influence testing frequency. For example:

• Workshops and factories: Equipment must be inspected and tested every six months.
• Construction and demolition sites: Testing of portable equipment is required monthly.
• Office environments: Equipment may only require inspection and testing every five years if not subject to harsh conditions.
• Commercial cleaning gear: Must be inspected every six months and visually checked daily.

Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760:2022 provides detailed guidance for different settings, helping businesses apply a risk management approach rather than relying on guesswork.

 RCDs: The Silent Protectors

Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are lifesavers — literally. They cut the electricity supply almost instantly if they detect a leakage current, preventing electrocution. But an RCD can only protect workers if it is in working order. Push-button tests should be done daily (or before each use), and operational tests carried out regularly by a competent person.

Again, failing to test and maintain RCDs can result in substantial fines, but more importantly, it leaves lives unnecessarily at risk.

 Record Keeping: More Than Just Tags

A quick look at a tag isn’t enough. Businesses must keep thorough, up-to-date records of inspections and tests. These records should include:

• The name of the person who carried out the testing
• The date and result of the test
• The next due test date

For construction and demolition sites, the requirements are even stricter: comprehensive registers must be kept, including repair records and details of any faults found.

Importantly, records must be available for audit and, in some cases, kept for up to five years. Using digital systems to manage this information can greatly streamline compliance and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

 New Equipment: Not Exempt

Even brand-new equipment isn’t automatically ‘safe’. While new equipment is deemed to have been tested by the manufacturer, a visual inspection must be done before its first use. For construction sites, new items must be tagged with the next test date before they are used.

 Safety Beyond the Workplace

Finally, the principles of inspection, testing, and risk management don’t stop at the office door. With many Australians now working from home, businesses must extend their duty of care to ensure remote work environments are safe — including the electrical equipment used.

Encouraging employees to inspect cords, avoid overloading sockets, and use RCD-protected power sources can help protect those working off-site.

Simple Steps to Real Safety

Building a culture of electrical safety requires more than ticking boxes — it demands attention, diligence, and education. By understanding the specific risks in different work environments, ensuring competent inspections, and keeping reliable records, businesses can move from compliance to leadership in safety.

At Testel, we’re here to support you on that journey — because real safety is about people, not just paperwork.

Need help with setting up your Test and Tag schedule? Contact Testel today for professional advice and reliable service across Australia.

www.testel.com.au | 1300 881 116