Test and tag is the process of inspecting and testing electrical appliances and equipment for safety. It involves two steps:

• Visual Inspection: Checking the plug, lead, and appliance casing for physical damage, cracks, or defects.
• Electrical Testing: Using a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) to check earth continuity, insulation resistance, and polarity.

Once an item passes, a durable safety tag is attached showing the test date, technician details, and next due date.

Yes. Under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations across Australia, employers and site managers have a legal duty of care to provide a safe working environment. Electrical safety testing demonstrates compliance with these legislative obligations and minimizes risks of electrical shocks or workplace fires.

Electrical testing and tagging in Australia and New Zealand is governed by AS/NZS 3760:2022 (In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment). Construction, demolition, and mining environments are also subject to AS/NZS 3012:2019.

Testing intervals vary depending on the environment in which the equipment is used:

Any electrical device that plugs into a power outlet via a flexible cord and removable plug requires testing. This includes:

• Portable power tools and extension leads
• Computers, monitors, and server power cables
• Kitchen appliances (microwaves, kettles, fridges, coffee machines)
• Residual Current Devices (RCDs / Safety Switches)
• Chargers, power boards, and multi-switches

Paramount Compliance designs site visits to minimize disruption. Testing requires disconnecting equipment from power for a brief period (1–2 minutes per item).

For sensitive equipment (IT servers, workstations, medical systems), our technicians coordinate with your team to schedule testing during planned maintenance windows, early mornings, or after-hours.

When an appliance fails inspection:

1. The item is immediately removed from service.
2. A prominent "DANGER - OUT OF SERVICE / DO NOT OPERATE" tag is applied.
3. The designated site manager is notified immediately.
4. The defect details are logged in your compliance report along with recommended corrective actions.

New equipment straight out of the box does not require electrical testing, as the manufacturer is responsible for initial safety. However, under AS/NZS 3760, it must be visually inspected for transport damage and fitted with a "New to Service" tag displaying the date introduced into the workplace and the date the first test is due.

Upon completion of testing, Paramount Compliance provides a comprehensive digital compliance package containing:

• Asset Register: A detailed inventory listing every tested item, location, serial number, and status.
• Test History Log: Technical results including earth resistance and insulation testing readings.
• Certificate of Compliance: Official documentation for insurance audits and OHS/WHS inspections.

You should retain electrical safety records for at least 7 years or until the equipment undergoes two subsequent test cycles to maintain a verifiable audit trail for compliance inspectors and insurance carriers.

Pricing is calculated based on the total volume of appliances tested on-site, site location, and service timing (standard business hours vs. after-hours). Contact Paramount Compliance for a custom quote or volume-based pricing structure.