Tagged leads

hi julie
i heard whispers re: this at easter time over in the west
i would not be surprised if this was/is the case or is about to be introduced as people from all walks of life book in to parks and plug their leads in
and if they are faulty can cause problems to the parks power boxes and then it cost the parks big money to have there equiptment fixed and sparkies are'nt cheap

parks are as you would know are required by law to have up to date supply sytems so i guess it's only fair that the travelling user have the required regulated level of products
i have seen some very doubtfull and shonky cables plugged into power boxes that i would'nt use myself in a blue fit
frayed and/or taped up and only 10amp rated with ends changed so they will go into powerboxand look the part
people with slack attitudes bring about all these changes and then start complaining of all the extra rules/regulations that come in to practiceand causes cost rises the consumers
have a nice holiday
way to go
cheers

Julie
I struck this about 5 years ago at a park on the NSW North Coast. They insisted our lead/s be tagged. BUT, they had their own testing equipment only charged $1 a lead to test them. I didn't object to that and appreciated the opportunity. I think the manager was an electrician by trade. Haven't struck the requirement any where else since.

teege

hi julie

a few years ago....like about 30...we used to tow caravan to different places in the south of wa .i can remember then a few parks would check that you had a 15 amp ext lead as the park outlets were 15 amp. maybe things got a little too casyal in that regard.

brian
arm in a sling.....= no capitals

In 5 years travellering only once has a park asked that I have a 15 amp lead. Never that they are tagged.

If they do just go somewhere else.

There are people that travel around and to cover their expenses test leads and tag them.

We're travelling at the moment and have not been asked that question at all. We're currently at Fitzroy Crossing - no such ask.

Bruce and Di

If I was a caravan park manager I'd probably receive a few complaints about power failures due to safety switch trippings rather than blown fuses/tripped circuit breakers.
If that's the case then someone's barking up the wrong tree because electrical faults knocking out the safety switch are probably to be found more downstream from the extension cords.

So I guess if you'd take a plug in type safety switch along and mention it on arrival, you should be able to convince any manager that you're doing the right thing, and making his/her life easier.
Not to mention your own protection from stray electrons...

Just a suggestion.

Best regards, Peter

it could be related to an oh&s requirement.
i've been required to have all electrical equipment with current tags before being allowed to start work. and i usually work with a laptop.
perhaps the caravan associations and/or the various state electrical authorities could be a good place to get first hand information.

Don't know about the other states but here in Qld we have OH&S creating a storm on any issue where they may be able to apply a fine. $$ are the name of the game.

Local builder copped $30000 fine because his apprentice cut his hand on a power saw while ripping a piece of timber. He (the apprentice) admitted he had been shown the correct method and that the boss ran regular Tool Box Talks but the boss did not have a written record of the day he showed the apprentice how to rip safely. No record - Pay up.

I hold a tagging licence but agree it is just a bit over the top. According to my training it is illegal to use a purple coloured lead on a construction site or in a public place. Telephone cables -low voltage - are purple and people may make a mistake idenitifying the leads. Licence tells me I should remove any purple lead from service and cut off the ends. I can imagine how popular I would be doing this since Bunnings started selling purple leads by the thousands.

Yes the CP operators may be just protecting their own butt but there again as someone stated we do see some rubbish equipment around the place. They may have been warned that next offence means 'out'

I check my own leads in the shed but the van supply one is done by the local 'lecky.

Kevin J

I thought tagging was only for commercial use.
Would consider a caravans own lead to be for private use.

Honky

Answered Questions

According to above - A BIG NO - See extract below

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING AND TAGGING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

AT A CARAVAN PARK?

The owner of a caravan park has a number of responsibilities under the Act and the Regulation:

1. The owner has a responsibility as an employer to any employees who work at the caravan park

2. The owner, as a ’controller of premises’, has responsibilities to other employers who may use the

caravan park facilities (eg a shop leased to another employer)

3. The owner of the caravan park has a general duty of care to the residents, holidaymakers and

visitors to the caravan park.

The owner of the caravan park (as an employer and controller of premises) must therefore comply

with the specific requirements of the OHS Regulation to ensure a safe electrical installation and safe

electrical equipment.

This requirement extends to both the electrical installation, and any plug-in type electrical equipment

under the ownership and control of the caravan park owner. The owner must comply with the

specific legislative requirements contained in clauses 41, 64 and 65 of the Regulation.

Note: These legislative obligations do not extend to plug-in electrical equipment owned by a

holidaymaker that is plugged into the caravan park’s electrical installation. There is no requirement

for this electrical equipment to be inspected, tested and tagged in accordance with the Standard,

AS/NZS 3760.

Regardless of this, WorkCover is aware that some caravan park owners have exercised a site rule

(based on public liability requirements) requiring holidaymakers to have their extension lead tested

and tagged.

Just as an aside to this issue as to the need to tag or not to tag electrical leads. Not exactly electrical, but still one of safety & the dreaded regulations.

There was a time ( I think?) that LPG cylinders did not need to be checked. I certainly remember news items about caravan cylinder exploding back in I think the 70's? The cause being old & rusted cylinders. Big blow up about the need at the time as most people considered it unnecessary? I'm happy to stand corrected.

Then, because common sense did not prevail, someone made it a rule ( in NSW anyway) that cylinders would not be filled unless they were inspected & stamped at 10 year intervals. Not stamped as safe & you will not get it refilled.

Makes good sense to me to have some rules so you are not endangered by someone else's stupidity. Just my opinion, cheers