Hi Ian
I had the situation where the Maintenance Dept Head (one of his men had the test and tag certificate and was an electrician) didn't want to do ANY test and tagging because of the "change" to the OHS act. (Independent School).This went on for 18mths after equipment should have been tagged. I had microscope lamps with the leads hanging out (I wasn't using them) that he said were "all right to use"!
![Very shocked :w00t:](./images/smilies/w00t.gif)
I rang workcover and got the "hostile environment" part which the workcover bloke thought did cover the Science area especially with mechanical damage (dropping), moisture, and chemical exposure. The alternative was that the person who would
test the equipment, would have to do risk assessments on the equipment. At the time TAFE (my hubby works there) was having EVERYTHING tested that was movable as were the Catholic Schools so I added that to the conversation with the Maintenance Head. I was not popular for some time afterwoods as somehow I was calling him a liar?!
Finally, the fact that they found I was right and they didn't want to do the risk assessments they just tagged the movable/ student use equipment in Science. They finally ( a year later) got round to the other "high risk" areas of the school (D & T wood tool machines etc).
Unfortunately the bloke who had the certificate has retired and they are very quiet about it!
The rationale behind the testing and tagging is that the equipment is checked for damage at least once a year and the insulation/ earth is working at that time. Also if anything new comes into the dept it should be tagged or if something is repaired.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Sue G