We get asked these questions every week. Here are honest answers from Victoria Anderson, a Jim’s Test & Tag franchisee with Jim’s Group in Western Australia. This article covers 11 of the most common questions about Jim’s Test & Tag services, safety checks, compliance and quotes.
Watch the video above, or keep reading for the full Q&A.
How long have you been with Jim’s Test & Tag? And what were you doing before?
Victoria Anderson joined Jim’s Test & Tag about two and a half years before this interview, with December 2020 as her start date.
Before that, Victoria had worked across different careers. Her last role was managing camps up north, where she looked after facilities. That background gave her practical experience with sites, operations, safety and dealing with people.
When she left that role, she wanted to go out on her own. She wanted her own business, her own control and her own life direction. After looking at many businesses, Jim’s Test & Tag appealed to her for several reasons, so she chose that path.
What was the training experience like when you started?
Victoria’s training experience was different because it happened during the Zoom and remote training period.
Even though the training was remote, she still had local support. Her franchisor at the time helped her, and other franchisees were available by phone when she needed support with the operation side of the business.
For people looking at the business side, Jim’s Group also explains its broader franchisee training program , including core business skills and extra training days for specialised divisions such as Test & Tag.
What services can Jim’s Test & Tag provide?
Jim’s Test & Tag can provide testing, tagging and safety support for small and medium businesses that need help with compliance and workplace safety.
The main services Victoria mentions include testing and tagging portable electrical equipment, RCD testing and tagging including trip time testing, emergency lighting, fire equipment, smoke alarms and first aid kits. These services help businesses check that important equipment is safe, visible, accessible and recorded properly.
Jim’s Test & Tag services are not just about putting a tag on equipment. The work helps businesses understand what has passed, what has failed, what needs attention and what should be removed from the workplace before someone gets hurt. You can also browse the wider range of Jim’s services available across Australia.
What types of industries do you work with the most?
Victoria works with a totally diverse range of industries.
She says there is not one single section she works with most. That variety is one of the things she appreciates about the business. Every workplace has different equipment, different risks, and different people, so each job can look a little different.
She also mentions developing areas such as medical and biomedical testing and tagging. That means the work can move beyond standard workplaces and into more specialised environments where safety needs can be more detailed.
What is a good customer service to you?
Good customer service means understanding the customer’s needs and helping them meet those needs or reach a higher standard.
Victoria explains that some customers do not know what they need for compliance. That does not mean they are careless. In many cases, they simply have not had someone explain the requirements clearly.
Her approach is to have a conversation, help the customer understand what may be required, and avoid forcing services on them. The customer can then research the information and choose whether to engage her services.
What are some prevalent misconceptions that business owners frequently overlook?
A common misconception is that business owners always know what applies to them, but many do not because rules can change and different states can have different requirements.
Victoria speaks from her experience in Western Australia. She explains that WHS laws changed, and in April last year they specified testing, tagging and RCD, so it is a legal liability. Before that, the issue sat under a broad duty of care, which some people misunderstood.
Her point is simple: most people are not trying to do the wrong thing. They often just do not know. That is why clear advice, simple reporting and practical guidance matter when a business is trying to keep its workplace safe.
What are the most common safety errors made by businesses?
Common safety errors include blocking emergency exits, blocking fire extinguishers and covering or obstructing critical safety information.
Victoria also points out a misconception around emergency exit lights. People often think, “We’ll be out of here in two minutes.” But emergency lighting also matters for the people who come in after staff have left, including firefighters.
If a building fills with smoke, emergency workers may not know the layout. They need clear exits, visible exit lights and pathways without trip hazards. A blocked exit or hidden extinguisher might seem minor during a normal workday, but in an emergency it can become a serious risk.
Can you provide an overview of medical Test & Tag? Who is the designated recipient group for these services?
Medical Test & Tag applies to patient care environments where people may be more vulnerable because of illness, injury or medical procedures.
Victoria refers to AS 3551 and AS 3003 as standards that apply in the medical world. These standards relate to patient care because a person receiving treatment may face higher risk than a standard workplace user.
She gives a simple example. Skin can be opened through an accident or through a deliberate medical procedure. When that happens, the level of care around equipment safety needs to be higher. Medical testing and tagging helps make sure equipment used around patients is checked with that extra level of safety in mind.
In what ways does Jim’s Test & Tag set itself apart from other Test & Tag companies?
Jim’s Test & Tag sets itself apart by aiming for a minimum standard that is higher than the expectation of the standard.
Victoria says this applies to the actual testing, the customer service and the reporting. Detailed reporting matters because it helps customers understand what is happening with their equipment, including why something passed or failed.
Failed items need to be identified and removed from the workplace. That is the practical point. No business wants someone to get hurt because unsafe equipment stayed in use after a problem should have been picked up.
For people considering the business opportunity, Jim’s Group also has information on how to start a Jim’s Test and Tag franchise .
How to request a quote?
To request a quote, call 131 546 and Jim’s Group will help connect you with your local Test & Tag provider.
This is the simplest way to start. You do not need to know every technical detail before you call. You can explain what type of workplace you have, what equipment or safety checks you need, and whether the job is urgent.
You can also use the Jim’s Group contact page if you want to get in touch online.
What is the process like when using Jim’s Test & Tag?
The process starts with a call-back, and Victoria says one of Jim’s values is calling customers back within two hours.
From there, the local franchisee will touch base and find out what you need. That may be an urgent job, a quote, or a general compliance check for your workplace.
If the job is urgent, they can work through what needs attention first. If it is not urgent, they can still talk through your requirements and help you understand the next step.
Need Test & Tag support for your workplace? Call 131 546 or contact Jim’s Group to be connected with your local Jim’s Test & Tag provider.