SAFETY
Common Portable Heater Hazards in the Workplace
Portable heaters are one of the most common winter additions to an office or warehouse — and one of the most common sources of preventable incidents. Here's what actually causes the risk, and an honest split between what electrical testing catches and what comes down to how the heater is used.
Published 29 July 2026
Reviewed by Fadi Raslan, licensed technician (TTT69067)
Every winter, workplaces bring portable heaters out of storage and into offices, warehouses, and workshops. Most of the risk isn't the heater itself — it's a combination of where it's placed and the condition it's in.
The main hazards
- ✓Tip-over risk — a heater knocked over onto carpet, paper, or bedding
- ✓Inadequate clearance from combustible material like curtains, boxes, or furniture
- ✓Damaged or worn power cords, often from being run under desks or through doorways
- ✓Overloading a single power board with a heater plus other equipment
- ✓Blocked air vents on the heater itself, which can cause it to overheat
What test and tag catches — and what it doesn't
It's worth being honest about the distinction. Electrical test and tag identifies faults in the equipment itself — a damaged cord, a failed earth connection, insulation breakdown, or a fault that would trip an RCD. The same cord and plug damage we cover in our electric blanket guide applies here.
What testing doesn't cover is where the heater is placed or what's near it. Clearance from combustible material, sensible positioning, and not leaving a heater running unattended are day-to-day site practices — that responsibility sits with the workplace, not with the electrical test.
Practical steps to reduce risk this winter
- ✓Keep heaters well clear of paper, curtains, and other combustible material
- ✓Avoid running a heater through an extension lead or power board that's already carrying other equipment
- ✓Check the cord and plug for damage before each use
- ✓Turn heaters off when the space is unoccupied
- ✓Include portable heaters in your regular electrical test and tag schedule, the same as any other portable appliance
Testing frequency for heaters follows the same environment-based approach as the rest of your equipment — typically every 6 months in higher-wear environments like factories and warehouses, or every 12 months in lower-risk settings like offices, under AS/NZS 3760. We confirm what applies to your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a portable heater through a power board?
Does test and tag cover heater placement risks?
How often should workplace heaters be tested?
What should I do if a heater's cord looks damaged?
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