Spring’s here, and with it comes a fresh round of news in the test and tag world. From recalls that could catch you out on site, to upgrades behind the scenes that’ll make life easier, there’s plenty happening as we head towards the tail end of the year. This month’s wrap covers the big safety alerts, compliance checks, and a few important updates closer to home.
SafeWork NSW Cross-Border Construction Blitz
SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe ACT have launched a joint operation targeting safety on construction sites along the border. Inspectors are focusing heavily on electrical work, falls from height, and overall site housekeeping. Why should you care? Because electrical compliance is front and centre in these blitzes, and portable appliance testing is highly relevant.
If you’re working across NSW or ACT sites, make sure your test tags are current, your records are tidy, and your testers are calibrated. Being prepared keeps you out of hot water and show’s your thinking about safety.
New Power Adaptor Recall
A nationwide recall has been issued for a dodgy power adaptor that’s been on shelves across major retailers. They can overheat during use, creating both fire and electric shock hazards. If you’re out testing and spot this one, it needs to be pulled from service straight away. The tricky part with recalls like this is that they often pop up in unexpected places. If in doubt, check the model numbers against the recall notice and advise your clients to replace them. Staying alert to recalls isn’t just good practice, it’s part of your duty of care.
For more information on this recall, check the ACCC Product Safety website.
New PAT Tester Calibration Area
Behind the scenes, we’re putting the finishing touches on a new dedicated calibration area at one of our head offices in Victoria. Why does this matter to you? With a bigger and better-equipped space, our calibration team can get your PAT tester back to you faster — keeping downtime to a minimum. We know how frustrating it can be waiting weeks for a unit to come back — this upgrade is about shaving that wait down and making servicing smoother across the board.
Aegis PAT Testers – Officially in Our Corner
It’s official: Appliance Testing Supplies is now the service agent for the Aegis Patrol range of testers.
That means calibrations, repairs, and tech support are all handled locally, with no third parties in the mix. If you’re running an Aegis Patrol, we’re your direct point of contact. This partnership lines up with our bigger goal - making test and tag easier by keeping everything under the one roof: training, equipment, support, and now another leading tester brand.
For all enquiries related to Aegis appliance testers – please contact us on 1300 656 938 and Bree is your point of contact.
For more information, read the official notice.
National Health Month – It’s Back in October
October is National Health Month, and while most people think of it as a general health reminder, it ties directly into electrical safety too. Fatigue, shortcuts, and poor focus are leading contributors to mistakes on site — and those mistakes can be costly. Think about it: a rushed visual inspection, or missing a leakage current test, could be the difference between catching a fault and letting a dangerous appliance slip through.
You’ll see plenty about it next month, and we’re behind anything that keeps safety top of mind. For test and tag, Health Month is a good chance to step back and make sure you’re not just compliant, but also working smarter and safer.
To see how it affects the test and tag industry specifically, you can see our original National Health Month notice.
Are Your Clients Checking Up on You?
We often get asked by businesses what they should expect from their test and tag provider. To answer that, we’ve just published new information that flips the script - giving them a list of red flags that mean their appliances might not be tested properly.
Why does this matter to you? Because articles like this raise awareness - and that means clients will have a clearer picture of what good testing looks like and have greater transparency.
For anyone running a test and tag business, it’s a timely reminder: cut corners and it won’t go unnoticed. Do the job right, and it’s a chance to show you’re the pro who works to standard and is doing things differently.
Read the full article: Test & Tag Providers: How to Know They’re Testing Properly
That’s a Wrap
That’s a wrap for September — a mix of recalls, compliance checks, and some big updates as we gear up for the run into EOY. Over the next few months, we’ll start digging into specific industries and taking a closer look at the test and tag trends shaping the year. If you’re out there testing and tagging, you won’t want to miss it - the insights could make a real difference to how you work.
