Just this week, one of our franchisees told us about a conversation they had with a friend. The friend works in the film and television industry and regularly hires props and equipment for different sets.
She was working on a music video that required an old 90’s television. So, our friend went to a business that hires out props. This business provided her with a television and ensured it was in complete ‘working condition’. Our friend needed the TV to work, but being a designer, was more concerned about the look of the TV and not the functionality.
An hour after plugging in the television and getting the shots they needed, the crew had a break for lunch. While they were outside enjoying their break, the group noticed a funny smell and smoke coming from the house — the TV was overheating and on the brink of starting an electrical fire.
After hearing this story, our franchisee wondered whether an electrical tag had been attached to verify that the television was in working order — there was no such tag.
Electrical testing for hire equipment is extremely important. If you are hiring out equipment that is faulty, you could be putting your customers (and your business) in grave danger. If you are hiring electrical equipment, please make sure there is a tag that verifies it has been tested prior to hiring it out to you.
Electrical Testing for Hire Equipment Requirements
In New Zealand, we adhere to the AS/NZS 3670:2010 standard for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. This covers rules and regulations about electrical testing for hire equipment. According to this standard, all equipment must be tested and tagged prior to hire.
This means that if you’ve had a 90’s television sitting on your shelf, and the last time you tested it worked, you still need to have it tested and tagged before you hire it out again. For more specific information about how to test and tag hire equipment, you can refer to the standard or get in touch with our team.
What happens if you do not meet your electrical equipment safety requirements?
In this particular incident, we were very lucky that no-one was hurt. In the worst case scenario, if you fail to meet your hire equipment safety requirements, you could be the cause of a fatal injury. Other penalties include organisational and individual fines, plus the potential closure of your business.
It’s not just the hiring company that could be in trouble here. If you’re bringing electrical equipment into a working environment, you also have a responsibility to make sure it is safe. If you are managing a workplace (or dressing a set) please make sure that you aren’t exposing other people to dangerous equipment.
It is safe to say that electrical negligence is not worth the risk.
Contact Jim’s Test & Tag Today
For more information about electrical testing and tagging services requirements in all sorts of businesses (including equipment hire) please contact us for a chat. We can give you a quote on any of our services and arrange for one of our local technicians to come and inspect your equipment.
Call us now or fill in the online form for a free quote.
