Every organisation has a responsibility to deliver a safe environment for its employees and onsite guests. Several of the points of concern are fire and electrical safety. Inspections and precautionary measures can reduce the risk of harm and safeguard the wellbeing of your equipment, staff and business. Here are five safety tests that can help prevent disasters from occurring in the workplace.
Testing & Tagging
Testing and tagging is the process of inspecting, electrically testing and tagging (labelling) electrical appliances and equipment at regular intervals. It is implemented to reduce the risk of electrical harm, such as electric shock, to employees and guests of the workplace.
Without regular testing and tagging, staff run the risk of operating defective and unsafe electrical equipment. This could cause serious or lethal injuries such as electric shock and even potentially start electrical fires.
The frequency of electrical equipment testing and tagging is outlined in the AS/NZS 3760 Standard. It is a joint Australian and New Zealand Standard that describes the in-service safety inspection, testing method and frequency of electrical appliances. You are accountable for negligence and subjected to a penalty if your equipment is found to be non-compliant with the Standard.
Fire Protection Testing
Fire protection equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets and fire hose reels are vital for fire safety. Hence, it is critical that you ensure your fire protection equipment is always functional.
Fire protection testing helps accomplish this. It includes regular inspection, testing and maintenance of fire safety equipment. This ensures it functions as it should in emergencies and protects you, your staff and onsite visitors from harm.
Fire protection equipment, particularly fire extinguishers should be tested every 6 months in accordance with the NZS4503 Standard.
RCD Safety Switch Testing
RCD is the acronym for residual current device, which is more commonly known as a safety switch. Its main function is to provide protection by detecting and instantly disconnecting the electrical circuit in the event of a leakage current.
If your electrical appliance is damaged and your RCD does not trip in time, serious and fatal injuries like electric shock can occur. Regular RCD safety switch testing can maintain its good condition and prevent these disasters from occurring.
The frequency of RCD testing depends on the type of environment and / or equipment, as outlined in the AS/NZS3760 Standard.
Earth Fault Loop Impedance Test
An earth fault loop impedance test is the process of testing the electrical earth of all your electrical installations and power points to identify any faults within your electric circuit.
Coming into contact with an electrical installation that is active due to a fault condition can cause harmful or fatal injuries such as electric shock. Therefore, it is crucial to have your electrical installations and power points regularly tested for earth fault loop impedance.
Microwave Testing
Microwave appliances heat food using microwaves, a form of electromagnetic radiation similar to radio waves. Defective microwave appliances can emit harmful radiation leakage. Microwave radiation can heat body tissues the same way it heats food. Exposure to high levels of microwaves can cause skin burns or cataracts.
Faulty or worn out door seals is the most common cause of microwave oven leakage. This could be caused by mistreatment, food build up, or the age of the microwave. Regular microwave testing can help determine if your microwave is leaking hazardous radiation. Contact a professional to perform a test to identify if the microwave has radiation leakage and the correct power output using certified testing equipment.
