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What is a P.A.T. (Test & Tag) and how often do I need to test my gear?
P.A.T. stands for Portable Appliance Testing but in New Zealand it is commonly called Test and Tag. Under Section 6c of the NZ Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and AS/NZS 3760 2022 an employer has a duty to ensure that any portable electrical appliances used by an employee are maintained and tested/checked on a regular basis to ensure their operational safety.
Your power tools and electrical appliances are the bread and butter of your toolkit but in the course of your routine tasks they often get knocked about, often causing considerable wear and tear.
The AS/NZS 3760 2010 Standard gives the required testing and inspection intervals (as shown in the following exerts from the Act).
MegaTest recommends using the Testing and Inspection Table to assist you to ensure your equipment is retested in a timely manner, on schedule, ensuring continuity of compliance.
Who needs their equipment test and tagged?
Anybody who is in business and/or employs staff and is wanting to meet current Health and Safety obligations.
Listed below are some of the basic industries as outlined in the act:
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Construction Sites
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Factories/ Warehouses
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Hotels/ Restaurants/ Motels
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Shops/ Retail/ Offices
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Schools/ Hospitals
Although the act does not specifically mention residential property, MegaTest strongly recommends that items such as phone or laptop chargers, heaters, small appliances, etc., should also be regularly tested.
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What Can MegaTest do for you?
Our fully qualified MegaTest technicians specialise in the electrical safety testing of portable electrical appliances, extension leads, multi boxes and RCD's.
MegaTest are fully mobile so we can come to your work site, business, practice, hospital or home at a time that suits you. At the completion of our technicians visit you will receive a comprehensive Test and Asset Schedule Report. All tested equipment will have a MegaTest Test & Tag label affixed to verify compliance and clearly show both the test and the expiry date. For further peace of mind, we will monitor your expiry dates so you can be reassured that your equipment and site safety is always up to date.
All equipment tests include:
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Earth continuity (class 1 equipment)
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Earth leakage
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Polarity test
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Insulation test
Your comprehensive report will include:
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Test results
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Re-test schedule
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Repair Report
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Microwave radiation leakage and wattage usage. Our trained technicians complete a Radiation Leakage Inspection on your Microwave Oven in accordance with AS/NZS 60335.2.25. Using specialist equipment we will record the radiation levels around the oven to ensure they are within the standard guidelines. The test includes:
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Visual inspection
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Standard class 1 AS/NZS 3760 tests
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RCD Operation Test
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Wattage/ Voltage tests
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Radiation leakage tests
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If required, the following is also available for download
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Equipment Asset register. (Download)
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A certificate for your Health & Safety register. (Download)
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Job Analysis Form (Download)
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We feel that having a contractor working for an hourly rate makes an organisation vulnerable to a potential lack of efficiency. To this end we charge a per tag rate, we will disconnect, test and reconnect equipment in a tidy manner. This also elevates the need of your staff from having to collect and organize the equipment in a specific site or area.
Most of all we strive to deliver a great service in a timely manner by our friendly technicians at a competitive price.
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Contact us to today to discuss your individual requirements.
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MegaTest
An overview of the Standards affecting Appliance testing include:
(as taken from Standards New Zealand and New Zealand Legislation Government websites - links as referenced below)
This Standard is a revision of AS/NZS 3760:2010, In-service testing is a necessary part of any safety programme to help ensure the safety of persons using electrical equipment in the workplace. This standard specifies in-service safety inspection and testing protocols and criteria that satisfy these obligations and provides a cost-effective approach to safety without jeopardizing personnel safety or involving excessive equipment downtime.
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Covers the inspection and testing process to be followed prior to sale of a second-hand electrical appliance so that when the appliance re-enters service, protection against hazards to the user, such as electrical shock, mechanical injury, or electrical fire, is ensured as far as practicable.
This Standard establishes sound practices for the safe use of electricity at construction and demolition sites. It is to be used in conjunction with AS/NZS 3000, Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules).
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This Standard deals with the safety of microwave ovens for household and similar use, their rated voltage being not more than 250 V, the wattage usage and radiation approved levels.
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Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 - Summary
The main purpose of HSWA is to provide for a balanced framework to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces by: protecting workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety and welfare by eliminating or minimising risks arising from work
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The main purpose of ESR is to promote the health and safety of members of the public, and promote the prevention of damage to property, around the supply and use of electricity in New Zealand.