TEST AND TAG FRAUD CONTINUES

Several years ago I wrote a post that appeared on another blog site about how a prospective client had been ripped off and left unprotected by an unscrupulous contractor.

In short; they had about 400 items to be tested and tagged and the contractor they engaged did them all in just a few hours.

Their client saw the tags and assumed everything had been done in accordance with AS/NZS 3760.

What really happened was the contractor got paid over $1,000 to put stickers onto appliances and not a single appliance was tested and tagged. The client had been ripped off and any defective appliances would still have been in service.

In my books that’s not only blatant fraud it’s also activity that puts people’s lives at risk.

That contracting business is still operating and probably still ripping people off. I know from my industry experience they are not the only ones who do this.

What can you do to prevent being ripped off?

I came up with three quick things you should get from any test and tag contractor (or technician) you engage;

1. Get evidence the actual technician(s) who attends your site is qualified to perform testing and tagging.
   They should be able to provide you with a certificate from a reputable training organisation
2. Get evidence the testing equipment they use is properly calibrated and meets the specifications of AS/NZS 3760.
   Ask for a “recalibration certificate” that is not more than 12 months old.
3. Get a detailed “evidence of testing” report.
   This must include the actual test readings, not just a generic PASS/FAIL style report.

If they can’t supply them, wont supply them or want to charge you for them, then alarm bells should be ringing.

Remember, if someone gets an electric shock injury from a defective appliance, Worksafe could regard you as being the “workplace responsible person” and hold you accountable for ensuring the testing and tagging was done in a fully compliant manner.

This information is general in nature, should be used as a guide only and read in conjunction with the relevant Standard(s), State and/or Federal Legislation, Codes of Practice and Industry Standards specific to your workplace. A proper risk assessment should be under taken before acting on the information provided in this document or any related material. Further information can also be obtained from your local Workplace Authority, Electrical Safety Authority or a suitably qualified persons. This article is copyright protected.