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| Dept. of Education > Administrative Services > Finance, Facilities and Business Strategy Branch Electrical TestingInitial Audit and Ongoing Testing ResponsibilityAustralian Standards AS/NZS 3760:2003 stipulates a process and program for testing electrical appliances, typically defined as something that plugs into a power point including extension cords and power boards. The Department also has a duty of care to provide a safe working environment under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995. The department will assist with the initial testing program, but schools and libraries are responsible for the repair of any defective equipment and the ongoing monitoring and testing program. ProcessThe process of testing involves a visual examination and an electronic test of each item of equipment. The equipment includes any plug in electrical appliance such as extension cords, power boards, kitchen appliances in home economic areas, computers, hand held tools and any equipment not hard wired in MDT areas. Once the site has been audited, all items documented and defects corrected, there is an ongoing role of maintaining the register including logging arrivals and departures, undertaking tests as they fall due, and undertaking more frequent visual checks on high risk equipment. Re-testing occurs on a regular cycle, typically 1 year for workshop and kitchen equipment, and 5 yearly for computers and cords. Initial Audit and Ongoing TestingThe department has appointed a contractor to undertake the initial audit at all service delivery sites under its jurisdiction. This will occur during the first half of 2006. The initial audit will not be covering computers or the cable immediately connecting to the computers as it is expected that they are replaced more frequently than the stipulated testing cycle. Testing will be done on peripheral equipment such as printers, and any power boards or extension cords serving computers. At the completion of testing on each site, the contractor will provide an asset register in a format that can be updated and used as part of the ongoing testing process. Sites are encouraged to adopt practices that keep records of equipment entering or leaving the site so that the periodic inspection is less arduous, and encourage the reporting of defects as they occur and not rely entirely on the testing program. As the initial audits completed the ongoing inspections and testing becomes a site responsibility. It is recommended site managers nominate staff responsible for the task either from within the school or library, or for clusters of schools. An allowance of $500 per year is payable to employees who are required and qualified to undertake performance testing and tagging of electrical equipment in the workplace. Advice will be issued shortly relating to OH&S requirements for testing and tagging and management of the allowance payment. The department will be purchasing testing equipment that will be made available to school clusters and libraries on a loan basis. Guidelines are being developed to assist schools to undertake this work.Good Practice
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