The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 requires the testing and tagging of portable electrical equipment or a portable RCD on any construction or demolition site to be carried out by a competent person or a licensed electrician.
A competent person, who does not have an electrical qualification, using a Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) to test and tag electrical equipment must be able to demonstrate to the employer, main contractor or owner of the electrical equipment that he or she
- has successfully completed a nationally accredited training course, run by an registered training organisation, on the use of a PAT for in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment;
- has been issued with a statement of attainment or certificate from the registered training organisation that indicates the registration number of the registered training organisation;
- has the appropriate PAT and is competent in its safe and effective use;
- uses a PAT that has been regularly checked and verified as per the manufacturer’s instructions;
- has carried out both visual inspections and electrical tests on electrical equipment in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3012:2003; and
- has kept, in a logbook, proof of competency and records of testing activity carried out.
For detailed information please see Guide to testing and tagging portable electrical equipment and residual current devices at workplaces.