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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is testing and tagging?

The “testing & tagging” process refers to inspecting electrical equipment, performing electrical tests, labelling the item with a compliance tag, and logging the results. It’s carried out in line with the Australian standard AS/NZS 3760 by a competent person.
The aim: to verify equipment is safe to use, thereby reducing risk of shock or fire.

Yes — in WA (and Australia more broadly), workplaces must ensure electrical equipment is safe, regularly inspected, tested, and maintained under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations and other relevant legislation.
Carrying out routine testing and tagging helps you meet your duty of care to employees, contractors and visitors, and helps with compliance in case of incident or audit.

The retest frequency is determined by AS/NZS 3760 and the environment in which equipment is used. Typical intervals include:
  • 3 months – e.g., construction, demolition sites
  • 6 months – e.g., factories, workshops
  • 12 months – e.g., general office equipment, less harsh conditions
  • Up to 5 years – e.g., equipment in mild environments, minimal stress on flexes or cords
    Actual intervals should be advised by a competent technician based on your equipment’s conditions (heat, moisture, vibration, dust, etc.).
Yes — according to AS/NZS 3760 (2022 edition), there is an allowable tolerance of two weeks beyond the nominal retest date.
Yes — you will receive a complimentary detailed compliance report. This includes each item tested, the results, who conducted the test, and the date.
Reports are typically provided in PDF/Excel format via email, with images and a summary of any failed items or issues. It is recommended that you retain these records for the lifetime of your equipment — they form part of your risk assessment and compliance evidence.
New-to-service equipment (i.e., newly purchased or newly installed) does not generally require full electrical testing immediately — however it does require a visual inspection and labelling (tagging) by a qualified and competent person under AS/NZS 3760.
Once it has been in service and subject to usage conditions, full testing will come into play at the first retest interval.
In Western Australia, especially on construction, demolition and mining sites, tag colours often correspond to the quarter in which equipment was tested:
 
  • RED: December, January, February
  • GREEN: March, April, May
  • BLUE: June, July, August
  • YELLOW: September, October, November
For industries outside these regulated colour schemes, the tag colour is less strictly mandated — but coordinating colours by retest frequency can help quickly identify due items.

Yes — the equipment must be unplugged or isolated so the technician can safely connect it to testing equipment.
Testing involves measuring earth continuity, insulation resistance, leakage current, polarity and other parameters. We recognise operational disruption is a concern, so after-hours testing or flexible scheduling is available (extra fees apply), however our technicians always work around your staff as best as possible as we understand you are trying to run a business!

Costs vary depending on factors such as:

  • Size of the site
  • Number of items to test
  • Type and condition of equipment
  • Required retest frequency

SafeStart is constantly reviewing market rates and we are very confident you won’t find a better value service. We offer tailored quotes to meet your business’s specific needs with no hidden surprises. Contact us for a bespoke quote.

  • Fully qualified and experienced technicians
  • Comprehensive reporting included at no extra cost
  • On-site service — large or small sites
  • Flexible scheduling (including after-hours where required)
  • Volume discounts available for multi-site or high-quantity jobs
  • Local WA operation, committed to safety and compliance
If you don’t see your question above or on our website, please reach out — our team is happy to help clarify compliance requirements, provide guidance on test frequencies, or assist with organising the testing on-site.