(1) Introduction (2) Charles Darwin University has a legal obligation to abide by referenced technical standards and laws in relation to electrical safety. There are many national technical and safety standards that have been developed to assist the safe control and use of electricity. (3) All electrical work at any University campus or facility is to be completed in accordance with the applicable Australian standards and the requirements of the Code of Practice Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace. (4) This is a compliance requirement under the: (5) This procedure applies to all persons (staff, contractors, students, visitors) who carry out electrical activities at or for the University. This includes those who undertake research and collaboration with outside agencies. (6) The purpose of this procedure is to inform all levels of University management and all individuals of their obligation to: (7) In the contest of this document: (8) The University has a duty of care to ensure that employees and visitors on University properties are safe from injury and risks to health. Therefore, any safety risks surrounding electrical hazards must be managed in accordance with the requirements of the NT WHS Act (NUL) 2011 and WHS Regulation (NUL) 2011 (Regulations). (9) A systematic risk management approach must be applied to eliminate or control the risk of electrical hazards. Control measures include: (10) Regulations state environments requiring testing are those which expose equipment to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust. Examples include: (11) More frequent testing and tagging will be scheduled in University training kitchens, laboratories, bakeries, hairdressing salon, and workshops as these are to be considered as high-risk operating environments. Assessment of other University workplaces should be carried out to determine if it is considered a high-risk operating environment under the Australian Standards and Regulations in collaboration with the Safety Emergency and Wellbeing (SEW) team. (12) Electrical equipment that has been serviced or repaired must be inspected, tested and tagged before the equipment is placed back into service. Any second-hand electrical equipment purchased must be tested and tagged before its first use. (13) The inspection and testing of electrical equipment must be done by a competent person. (14) The competent person must be authorised by the University and the person authorising the work must make sure the inspection and testing program is appropriate and adequate for the needs of the workplace. If in doubt, the person authorising the inspection and testing program must obtain advice from a person qualified in electrical matters, an electrician, electrical contractor or specialist testing provider. (15) AS/NZS 3760:2010 requires the following equipment checks be made by visual and physical inspection of all equipment: (16) Inspection includes flexing and straining at points of entry and clamping points by the application of reasonable combination of push/pull and rotary movements for the detection of broken strands or loose connections. (17) Careful running of the flexible cord through the hand will often detect internal damage such as twisted conductors or broken core filling. Connecting the plugs/cord extension sockets of cord extension sets together helps to confirm that the terminals have not spread. (18) For EPODs: (19) Testing of earthing continuity, insulation, portable isolating transformers, operation of RCDs, polarity of rewireable plugs, portable generators, arch welders with exposed terminals, portable inverters and Class 1 equipment must be carried out by a competent person. The requirements of AS/NZS 3760:2010 Tables 1 and 2 in this standard specify the leakage current limits and insulation resistance limits for such testing. (20) Equipment that fails the inspection or testing must be appropriately tagged and withdrawn from service. A Danger Tag or Out of Service tag should be used to indicate that the equipment requires remedial action and CANNOT be used (examples of these tags are at Appendix 2). The equipment must be disconnected from all possible sources of electricity supply and rendered incapable of being made live in such a manner that it cannot be accidentally or unintentionally used until repaired (e.g. locked out, locked away). For some items such as extension leads, EPODs etc disposal may be the best course of action dependent on the extent of the fault. (21) Equipment that passes inspection and testing must be fitted with tags that are durable, legible, non-reusable, non-metallic and may be colour coded. The date on which the test was performed must be indicated. In addition, the name of the person (company) who performed the test as well the date of next test must be indicated. Reference should also be made to AS3760. An example of a compliant Electrical Test Tag is provided in Appendix 2. (22) The supplier of new electrical equipment is deemed responsible for the electrical safety of the equipment in accordance with the legislation and principles of safe design and manufacture. Regardless of this inherent manufacturer requirement, it is a University requirement to inspect, test and tag all new equipment prior to use. (23) Stationary or fixed equipment connected by a fixed cable or flexible cord which is not flexed in normal use or exposed to damage, nor is in a higher-risk operating environment, is not normally considered to represent a hazard sufficient to warrant routine in-service electrical safety testing. Subject to the outcome of a risk assessment, the testing of such equipment is not normally required. (24) In-service testing is required where flexible cable or cord is flexed on equipment that is moved only for restocking, maintenance, or cleaning, It is sufficient to conduct only a visual inspection and earth test on such fixed or stationary equipment. (25) The categories in the following table list plug-in type electrical equipment that is commonly used in higher-risk operating environments and does require regular inspection and testing and provides some examples of the types of electrical equipment. (26)
(27) Not all electrical equipment requires regular testing. In some situations, electrical equipment such as desktop computers and stationary office equipment does not present a risk to their operators due to the: (28) In cases like these, a risk assessment should be carried out in accordance with the risk management provisions of the Regulations. The assessment should determine whether desktop computers and other similar stationary office equipment warrant regular testing and tagging at a greater frequency than the five yearly cycle recommended in this procedure. (29) The following additional guidance is provided for all University Schools, Colleges and Operational areas. The table below is the minimum standard for University electrical testing and tagging compliance for electrical equipment; it may occur at a greater frequency should an area choose to do so. (30) Testing and tagging is arranged by submission of a Work Request to Facilities Management and paid for by School, College or Operational area being tested and tagged. (31) All RCD testing MUST be in accordance with Appendix 1 reproduced from AS/NZS 3760: 2010 (table 4) that outlines the required scheduling interval for all RCD testing. (32) The electrical inspection, testing and tagging requirements outlined in this procedure also apply to personal, leased or hired electrical equipment used in a hostile operating environment. If a staff member, student or visitor refuses to allow testing, the equipment must be removed from the workplace. If any personal, leased or hired equipment fails testing the owner must be notified before any further action is undertaken. Testing must not damage any personal, leased or hired equipment. (33) Staff member, student or visitor personal IT devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, phone chargers etc) used in a non-hostile environment do not require testing and tagging while on University property. (34) The following records are required for the electrical testing and tagging program: (35) Records are to be retained for in accordance with the University’s WHS Records Management procedure. (36) A risk assessment can be used to indicate the testing frequency. However, the guide in Appendix 1 (reproduced from AS3760:2010) also provides indicative intervals. (37) All electrical equipment used in workshops, fieldwork and laboratories have additional inherent mechanical, abrasive or crush risks as well as environmental risks from ongoing exposure to heat, moisture (high humidity or rain). To mitigate these risks, the standards listed in Appendix 3 apply to EPODs and extensions leads. (38) All electrical work on live electrical equipment must be carried out in accordance with a SWP. A SWP is a process for identifying and controlling health and safety hazards and risks. They may also incorporate a risk assessment. (39) SWP’s are required in relation to prescribed ‘high risk construction work’ which includes construction work carried out on or near live electrical installations or services. SWP must be developed in consultation with relevant workers. If the workers are represented by a health and safety representative (HSR), the consultation must involve that representative. SWP prepared for live electrical work should describe consultation arrangements with the person, management or control of the workplace, including any authorisation procedures and position descriptions. The SWP must: (40) The SWP must be reviewed and revised as necessary if relevant control measures are revised under the Regulations. They must, for example, be revised if a decision is made to change relevant SWP’s at the workplace.Electrical Safety Procedure
Section 1 - Compliance
Top of PageSection 2 - Intent
Top of PageSection 3 - Relevant Definitions
Top of Page
Section 4 - Procedure
Managing Risks of Electrical Equipment
Environments Requiring Testing
Requirements for Serviced or Repaired Electrical Equipment
Who Can Inspection and Test Electrical Equipment
Visual and Physical Inspection
Testing
Action for Non-Compliant Equipment
Tags
Requirements for NEW electrical equipment
Requirements for Stationary Electrical Equipment
Table 1 – Electrical Equipment Categories
Category of Equipment
Examples of Electrical Equipment to be Tested
Hand held electrical equipment
Portable electrical equipment moved while in operation
that could damage the flexible supply lead
Electrical equipment that is used in a higher-risk operating environment
where damage to the equipment or the electricity supply to that equipment could occur such as in wet or dusty conditions.
Requirements for Desktop Computers and Office Electrical Equipment
University Electrical Testing and Tagging Guidance
Table 2 – University Testing and Tagging Requirements
All Computers, Screens, docking stations, desk fans, desk lights
RCD Testing
Personal, Lease or Hire Equipment
Documentation and Record Keeping
Frequency of Testing
Additional Requirements for Workshops, Fieldwork and Laboratories
Safe Work Procedures (SWP)
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All hand held power tools
Hairdryers (heat degradation)
Kitchen appliances
Laboratory Equipment
Floor polishers
Vacuum cleaners
Portable lighting equipment
Electrical equipment that is moved between operations in such a manner
Portable electronic whiteboards,
overhead projectors
Electrical plant used in factory type environments Welding machines
Extension cords – High Risk
Power boards – High Risk
Electrical equipment used in wet or dusty areas
Electrical equipment used outdoors, in kitchens
Certain Workshops and factory-type environments Laboratories (chemical or heat damage)
Type of Environment or Equipment
Interval
Comments
Extension Leads
6 monthly
12 monthly
If used in any type of workshop area or in any type of construction work or fieldwork.
All other extension leads longer than 10m - Increased risk. In accordance with Appendix A
EPODs for workshops
Events (e.g. O Week)
6 monthly
12 monthly
In workshops, construction sites, fieldwork
For Events / activities
Workshops Electrical Equipment
6 monthly
In accordance with Appendix 1
Laboratories Electrical Equipment
12 monthly
In accordance with Appendix 1
Field Work Electrical Equipment
12 monthly
Higher risk work activities and environmental risks
VET training kitchens, hairdressing salon and bakery
12 monthly
Higher risk work activities and environmental risks
Power tools and Electrical Hand-Tools
6 monthly
In accordance with Appendix 1
Non-Hostile Office Environment
Extension Leads
5 yearly
Provided they are being used in office spaces to supply electronic equipment – computers etc
EPODs for offices spaces
5 yearly
Lower risk unlikely to be moved around frequently
Phone or Tablet computer chargers (iPad)
5 yearly
Applies to both personal or CDU property
Office Equipment – Non-Hostile Environment
5 yearly
in accordance with Appendix 1
Office Building Kitchens
Toasters, sandwich makers, Refrigerators, coffee machines and kettle and extension leads
5 yearly
In accordance with Appendix 1
Stationary Office equipment such as Printers, laminators etc
5 yearly
In accordance with Appendix 1
RCD Testing
In accordance with Appendix 1 dependent on the type of Hostile or Non-Hostile area