During October, SafeWork SA will be visiting workplaces across industries to ensure that electrical safety requirements for inspection and testing are being met.
SafeWork SA reports an increase in issuing statutory notices of 26% in 2020/2021 over 2019/2020, almost 75% of this is a failure of employers to ensure electrical equipment is appropriately inspected and tested.
SafeWork SA Executive Director Martyn Campbell advises that inspectors will turn up on-site to ensure that obligations relating to electrical inspections and testing are met. He also stated that inspectors would take a more robust compliance approach by issuing expiation notices (on-the-spot fines).
Failing to appropriately inspect and test electrical equipment that results in an on-the-spot fine can cost an individual a minimum of $432. For a corporate body, this can be as much as $2160. In addition to financial penalties, inspectors may issue other statutory compliance notices, resulting in further costs to employers.
Inspection and testing requirements vary from three months to five years, depending on the type of environment, nature of use and level of risk to the equipment.
Electrical safety requirements can be confusing, and inspection and testing can often be overlooked. The South Australian Business Chamber has WHS consultants available to come to your workplace to advise on strategies to meet compliance requirements, including inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
For more information, please contact the South Australian Business Chamber on 8300 0000.
