Product Overview

Summary: This Electrical Equipment Tagging Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, repeatable system for inspecting, testing, tagging and managing portable electrical equipment in Australian workplaces. It helps you comply with WHS obligations, reduce the risk of electric shock and fire, and demonstrate that your plant and equipment are being maintained in a safe condition.

Electrical equipment that is poorly maintained, damaged or incorrectly used is a leading cause of electric shock, burns, and workplace fires across Australia. This Electrical Equipment Tagging Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, defensible approach to inspecting, testing and tagging portable electrical equipment, extension leads, power boards and RCDs. It outlines who is authorised to test and tag, how often equipment must be checked in different environments, and the exact steps to follow before an item is put into service, removed from service, or returned to service after repair.

The procedure is designed to translate complex Australian Standards and WHS regulations into practical, day‑to‑day actions that frontline workers and supervisors can follow. It helps organisations in construction, manufacturing, workshops, offices, laboratories, events and education settings implement a consistent tagging regime, maintain accurate records, and respond appropriately when faults are found. By adopting this SOP, businesses can reduce electrical risks, support compliance with regulator expectations, and provide clear evidence that electrical plant is being managed in line with Australian WHS duties.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and electrical safety requirements for inspection, testing and tagging.
• Reduce the risk of electric shock, arc flash, burns and electrical fires caused by damaged or faulty portable equipment.
• Standardise inspection and tagging practices across multiple sites, shifts and contractors for consistent risk control.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, clients and auditors through clear documentation and tagging records.
• Streamline coordination between PCBUs, licensed electricians, maintenance teams and contractors when equipment is found to be unsafe.

Who is this for?

• Business Owners and PCBU Representatives
• WHS Managers
• Electrical Contractors
• Licensed Electricians
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Facility Managers
• Construction Site Supervisors
• Manufacturing and Workshop Managers
• Lab and Technical Services Coordinators
• Event and Venue Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock from damaged cords, plugs, sockets or equipment housings
• Electrical burns and arc flash from faulty or exposed live parts
• Electrical fires caused by insulation failure, overloading or poor connections
• Use of non-compliant, untested or incorrectly repaired electrical equipment
• Trip hazards from poorly managed extension leads and power boards
• Failure of residual current devices (RCDs) to operate when required
• Uncontrolled re‑energisation of faulty or out‑of‑service equipment

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Including ‘Competent Person’, Class I/II, RCD, Portable Equipment)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Equipment Covered and Risk-Based Inspection Frequencies
• 6.0 Pre-Use Visual Inspection Requirements for All Workers
• 7.0 Formal Inspection, Testing and Tagging Procedure
• 8.0 Colour Coding and Tag Information Requirements
• 9.0 Criteria for Removing Equipment from Service and Tagging ‘Do Not Use’
• 10.0 Process for Repair, Retesting and Return to Service
• 11.0 Management of Hired, Contractor and Visitor Equipment
• 12.0 Recordkeeping, Test Reports and Tag Register Management
• 13.0 Storage, Handling and Housekeeping for Leads and Power Boards
• 14.0 Emergency Response and Incident Reporting for Electrical Events
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Communication Requirements
• 16.0 Audit, Review and Continuous Improvement of the Tagging Program

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and harmonised state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and harmonised state/territory equivalents) – provisions relating to electrical safety and plant
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 3760: In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and RCDs
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites (where applicable)
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3551: Management programs for medical equipment (for healthcare settings, where relevant)