Hire of electrical equipment

If your business hires out electrical equipment you have obligations to ensure the equipment is safe for use.

Purchasing electrical equipment for use as hire equipment

If you are the direct importer or manufacturer of the in-scope electrical equipment, you are a Responsible Supplier and you must comply with all the requirements under the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).

If you are purchasing electrical equipment to use as hire equipment, you must be aware that the safety requirements are the same as those in the retail area.

Unsafe electrical equipment can be prohibited for use as hire equipment by notices issued by the Electrical Safety Office.

Ongoing requirements for electrical equipment for hire

Electrical equipment must be inspected and tested by a competent person before each hiring, unless it is fitted with a safety switch that cannot be disconnected, deactivated or removed. This inspection and testing does not require disassembly of the equipment.

Electrical equipment for hire must also be inspected, tested and tagged every 6 months by a competent person as per AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. Note: This does not apply to domestic hire goods for use in a domestic situation, such as refrigerators and televisions.

Hire equipment passing inspection and testing must be identified with a durable tag that also shows the next scheduled test date.

Any hire equipment failing inspection and testing must be immediately withdrawn from hire and labelled as unsafe with a durable tag.

Find out more about required tools, tests and tagging for electrical equipment.

Penalties

The Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld) sets penalties for not meeting the requirements for hiring, testing and inspecting electrical equipment for hire.

Also consider...

• Find out more about required tools, tests and tagging for electrical equipment.