College of Fine Arts | The University of New South Wales - Sydney - Australia

Electrical safety | The College of Fine Arts

Electrical safety

Electrical testing and tagging of equipment

At COFA we have a system of testing and tagging electrical equipment based on the Australian standard AS3760. The frequency of testing and tagging depends on where the equipment is located, how it is used and enviromental factors. All electrical equipment must be tested and tagged.

IMPORTANT:- If you bring any electrical equipment onto Campus you must take it to the Resources Centre (C Block:- booking may be necessary) to get it tested and tagged prior to using it.

Preventing electrical accidents

Electrical accidents can be life threatening, so it is very important that all staff and students take care when using either power points or electrical equipment.Specifically, everyone either using or inspecting power points should:

  • Report any damaged power cords or power points immediately and do not use equipment with damaged cords or damaged power points. Students should tell the nearest staff member about the electrical hazard.
  • Staff members who notice an electrical hazard or to whom a student has reported the hazard, should notify the faculty OHS coordinator and verbally report the hazard and the location where the hazard was found. The  OHS coordinator shall then complete UNSW Hazard Report Form (OHS01), so there is a written record that they have reported the problem and then send the hazard report to facilities to record corrective action.
  • Place a handwritten notice in front of the damaged power point to warn others of the potential hazard and that it is being reported and date of your notice.
  • If you are doing any installations or work that involves powercords please be aware of trip hazards. Make sure power cords do not run across pathways or ensure that are run in cable ramps. 
  • Always use residual current device's(RCD's) with portable electrical equipment, including extension cables. These devices (type 1,type 2- AS 3760) will reduce the risk of electrocution if there is an electrical fault with equipment that has not been power enhanced. Many areas at COFA have power points with built in RCD protection. Check that power points are RCD protected before use if RCD's are not supplied with portable electrical equipment.