MANAGING ELECTRICAL RISKS

IN THE WORKPLACE
Code of Practice
APRIL 2012
Safe Work Australia is an Australian Government statutory agency establishe in 200!"
Safe Work Australia consists of re#resentatives of the $ommon%ealth& state an territory
governments& the Australian $ouncil of 'rae (nions& the Australian $hamber of $ommerce
an Inustry an the Australian Inustry Grou#"
Safe Work Australia %orks %ith the $ommon%ealth& state an territory governments to im#rove
%ork health an safety an %orkers) com#ensation arrangements" Safe Work Australia is a
national #olicy boy& not a regulator of %ork health an safety" 'he $ommon%ealth& states an
territories have res#onsibility for regulating an enforcing %ork health an safety la%s in their
*urisiction"
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IS+, !-./0/012/-.220/1 4R'67
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89ce#t for the Safe Work Australia logo& this co#yright %ork is license uner a $reative
$ommons Attribution/,oncommercial 2"0 Australia licence" 'o vie% a co#y of this licence& visit
htt#:;;creativecommons"org;licenses;by/nc;2"0;au;
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Tabe of Contents
FOREWORD..........................................................................................................................5
SCOPE AND APPLICATION................................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................7
1"1 What are electrical risks>"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" -
1"2 Who must manage electrical risks>""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""-
1"2 What is re?uire to manage electrical risks>"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".
PART A: .............................................................................................................................11
GENERAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE.............................................11
THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS..............................................................................12
1"1 Ientify the ha@ars"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 12
1"3 Assess the risks"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 12
1"0 $ontrol the risks"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 12
1"- Revie% the control measures""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 11
SPECIFIC HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL....................................................................15
1". (nsafe electrical e?ui#ment an electrical installations at the %ork#lace"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""13
1"! Ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""10
1"10 Ins#ecting an testing e?ui#ment A construction an emolition sites""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1!
1"11 Resiual current evices BR$5sC"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 20
PART B: .............................................................................................................................24
ELECTRICAL WORK..........................................................................................................24
MANAGING THE RISKS OF ELECTRICAL WORK..........................................................25
1"12 What is electrical %ork>"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 23
1"12 Ientify the ha@ars"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 23
1"11 Assess the risks"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 23
1"13 $ontrol the risks"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 20
1"10 Revie% the control measures """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 2-
RISK CONTROLS WORKING DEENERGISED.............................................................2!
1"1- General #rinci#les A verification of e/energise electrical e?ui#ment""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""2.
1"1. Safe %ork metho statements"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 2!
1"1! Work on cables Bincluing cutting cablesC"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""2!
LOW "OLTAGE ISOLATION AND ACCESS.....................................................................#$
1"20 Securing the isolation""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 21
1"21 Altering isolation for testing& fault fining an re/energising""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""22
1"22 Restoring #o%er""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 21
1"22 Leaving unfinishe %ork""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 21
RISK CONTROLS ENERGISED ELECTRICAL WORK.................................................#5
1"21 Prohibition on energise electrical %ork""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""23
1"23 Planning an #re#aration """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 23
1"20 $arrying out energise electrical %ork""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""2-
1"2- Leaving unfinishe %ork""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 10
1"2. Particular energise electrical %orkDtesting an fault fining""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""10
RISK CONTROLS WORKING NEAR ENERGISED ELECTRICAL PARTS..................42
1"2! Planning an #re#aration """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 12
1"20 Working near energise electrical #arts""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""12
Page 2 of 00 <(L= 2012
1"21 Im#lementing risk control measures"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""12
1"22 Revie%ing risk control measures"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 12
TOOLS AND E%UIPMENT.................................................................................................44
1"22 Ins#ection an testing""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 11
1"21 Laers& scaffols an similar e?ui#ment"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""11
1"23 Insulating barriers an insulating mats""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""13
1"20 'est instruments""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 13
1"2- Personal #rotective e?ui#ment BPP8C"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""10
1"2. 6irst Ai"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 1-
HIGH "OLTAGE ELECTRICAL WORK.............................................................................4!
APPENDI& A MEANING OF KEY TERMS......................................................................4'
APPENDI& B AD"ANTAGES AND DISAD"ANTAGES OF NONPORTABLE AND
PORTABLE RCDS......................................................................................................5$
APPENDI& C RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRICAL WORK................................5#
APPENDI& D PRE"ENTATI"E ACTIONS CHECKLIST ...............................................5'
Page 1 of 00 <(L= 2012
FOREWORD
'his $oe of Practice on ho% to manage electrical risks in %ork#laces is an a##rove coe of
#ractice uner section 2-1 of the Work Health and Safety Act Bthe WES ActC"
An a##rove coe of #ractice is a #ractical guie to achieving the stanars of health& safety an
%elfare re?uire uner the WES Act an the Work Eealth an Safety Regulations Bthe WES
RegulationsC"
A coe of #ractice a##lies to anyone %ho has a uty of care in the circumstances escribe in the
coe" In most cases& follo%ing an a##rove coe of #ractice %oul achieve com#liance %ith the
health an safety uties in the WES Act& in relation to the sub*ect matter of the coe" Like
regulations& coes of #ractice eal %ith #articular issues an o not cover all ha@ars or risks that
may arise" 'he health an safety uties re?uire uty holers to consier all risks associate %ith
%ork& not only those for %hich regulations an coes of #ractice e9ist"
$oes of #ractice are amissible in court #roceeings uner the WES Act an Regulations" $ourts
may regar a coe of #ractice as evience of %hat is kno%n about a ha@ar& risk or control an
may rely on the coe in etermining %hat is reasonably #racticable in the circumstances to %hich
the coe relates"
$om#liance %ith the WES Act an Regulations may be achieve by follo%ing another metho&
such as a technical or an inustry stanar& if it #rovies an e?uivalent or higher stanar of %ork
health an safety than the coe"
An ins#ector may refer to an a##rove coe of #ractice %hen issuing an im#rovement or
#rohibition notice"
'his $oe of Practice has been evelo#e by Safe Work Australia as a moel coe of #ractice
uner the $ouncil of Australian Governments) Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and
Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety for ao#tion by the $ommon%ealth& state
an territory governments"
SCOPE AND APPLICATION
'his $oe #rovies #ractical guiance for #ersons conucting a business or unertaking on
managing electrical risks in the %ork#lace" It a##lies to all %ork#laces %here a #erson conucting
a business or unertaking:
has management or control of electrical e?ui#ment& incluing electrical installations& or
carries out electrical %ork on or near energise electrical e?ui#ment& incluing electrical
installations"
'his $oe also a##lies to construction an emolition sites& e9ce#t if a re?uirement of the $oe is
ealt %ith in AS;,FS 2012:2010 Electrical installations!onstruction and demolition sites" In that
case you must com#ly %ith AS;,FS 2012:2010" 6urther information about construction %ork can
be foun in the !ode of "ractice# !onstruction Work"
'his $oe oes not a##ly to:
electrical %ork on e9tra/lo% voltage electrical e?ui#ment& incluing e9tra/lo% voltage electrical
installations
electrical %ork on high voltage e?ui#ment after s%itching& isolation& short circuiting an earthing&
sub*ect to summary guiance in $ha#ter 10 of this $oe
the manufacture of electrical e?ui#ment
automotive electrical %ork
%ork that is not electrical %ork carrie out on tele#hone& communication an ata systems
%ork carrie out by or on behalf of an electricity su##ly authority on the electrical e?ui#ment
controlle or o#erate by the authority to generate& transform& transmit or su##ly electricity
Page 3 of 00 <(L= 2012
re#air of consumer electrical e?ui#ment %hen un#lugge from any electrical socket outlet"
G89tra/lo% voltage) means voltage that oes not e9cee 30 volts alternating current B30 H a"c"C or
120 volts ri##le/free irect current B120 H ri##le free "c"C"
'his $oe is ivie into t%o #arts ealing %ith:
Part A B!hapters $-%C: general electrical safety at the %ork#lace& incluing electrical installations&
re?uirements for ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment& an re?uirements for resiual current
evices in certain high/risk environments
Part + B!hapters &-'C: health an safety risks associate %ith electrical %ork"
How to use this Code of Practice
In #roviing guiance& the %or Gshoul) is use in this $oe to inicate a recommene course of
action& %hile Gmay) is use to inicate an o#tional course of action"
'his $oe also inclues various references to #rovisions of the WES Act an Regulations %hich
set out the legal re?uirements" 'hese references are not e9haustive" 'he %ors Gmust)& Gre?uires)
or Gmanatory) inicate that a legal re?uirement e9ists an must be com#lie %ith"
Page 0 of 00 <(L= 2012
INTRODUCTION
1.1 W!at are eectrica ris"s#
8lectrical risks are risks of eath& electric shock or other in*ury cause irectly or inirectly by
electricity" 'he most common electrical risks an causes of in*ury are:
electric shock causing in*ury or eath" 'he electric shock may be receive by irect or inirect
contact& tracking through or across a meium& or by arcing" 6or e9am#le& electric shock may result
from inirect contact %here a conuctive #art that is not normally energise becomes energise
ue to a fault Be"g" metal toaster boy& fenceC
arcing& e9#losion or fire causing burns" 'he in*uries are often suffere because arcing or e9#losion
or both occur %hen high fault currents are #resent
electric shock from Gste#/an/touch) #otentials
to9ic gases causing illness or eath" +urning an arcing associate %ith electrical e?ui#ment may
release various gases an contaminants
fire resulting from an electrical fault"
8ven the briefest contact %ith electricity at 30 volts for alternating current BH a"c"C or 120 volts for
irect current BH "c"C can have serious conse?uences to a #erson)s health an safety" Eigh
voltage shocks involving more than 1000 H a"c" or 1300 H "c" can cause contact burns an
amage to internal organs"
8lectric shocks from faulty electrical e?ui#ment may also lea to relate in*uries& incluing falls
from laers& scaffols or other elevate %ork #latforms" Ither in*uries or illnesses may inclue
muscle s#asms& #al#itations& nausea& vomiting& colla#se an unconsciousness"
Workers using electricity may not be the only ones at riskDfaulty electrical e?ui#ment an #oor
electrical installations can lea to fires that may also cause eath or in*ury to others"
Jey terms use in this $oe are efine at A##eni9 A"
1.2 W!o m$st mana%e eectrica ris"s#
A &erson cond$ctin% a b$siness or $nderta"in% has the #rimary uty uner the WES Act to
ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that %orkers an other #ersons at the %ork#lace are
not e9#ose to electrical risks arising from the business or unertaking" 'his uty re?uires
eliminating electrical risks or& if that is not reasonably #racticable& minimising the risks so far as is
reasonably #racticable"
'he WES Regulations inclue more s#ecific re?uirements for managing electrical risks at the
%ork#lace" 6or e9am#le& all #ersons conucting a business or unertaking have uties to ensure&
so far as is reasonably #racticable& that electrical e?ui#ment an installations at the %ork#lace are
%ithout risks to health an safety of #ersons"
Persons conucting a business or unertaking %ith management or control of a %ork#lace have a
uty to ensure effective resiual current evices BR$5sC are use in certain high/risk environments
as efine in the regulations"
Persons conucting a business or unertaking carrying out electrical %ork must com#ly %ith the
#rohibition on electrical %ork on energise electrical e?ui#ment sub*ect to certain e9ce#tions"
'hese #ersons may also have uties uner local electrical safety la%s"
Persons conucting a business or unertaking shoul ensure electrical installation %ork is carrie
out by ?ualifie #ersons an testing an com#liance re?uirements are met"
'esi%ners( man$fact$rers( im&orters( s$&&iers( and instaers of electrical e?ui#ment an
installations that coul be use for %ork must ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that they
are %ithout risks to health an safety" 5esigners an manufacturers of electrical e?ui#ment or
Page - of 00 <(L= 2012
installations must ensure they are esigne an manufacture so that electrical risks are
eliminate or& if this not reasonably #racticable& minimise so far as is reasonably #racticable"
Officers& such as com#any irectors& have a uty to e9ercise ue iligence to ensure that the
business or unertaking com#lies %ith the WES Act an Regulations" 'his inclues taking
reasonable ste#s to ensure that the business or unertaking has an uses a##ro#riate resources
an #rocesses to eliminate or minimise electrical risks at the %ork#lace"
Wor"ers must take reasonable care for their o%n health an safety an not aversely affect the
health an safety of other #ersons" Workers must com#ly %ith any reasonable instruction an
coo#erate %ith any reasonable #olicy or #roceure relating to health an safety at the %ork#lace"
'his means that if electrical e?ui#ment is #rovie by the #erson conucting the business or
unertaking& the %orker must use it in accorance %ith the information& instruction an training
#rovie on its use"
'$t) !oders may have aitional legal obligations uner state or territory electrical safety
legislation"
1.# W!at is re*$ired to mana%e eectrica ris"s#
R+ ,-. A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must manage risks to health an safety
associate %ith electrical risks at the %ork#lace"
R+ /-0/1 In orer to manage risk uner the WES Regulations& a uty holer must:
ientify reasonably foreseeable ha@ars that coul give rise to the risk
eliminate the risk& so far as is reasonably #racticable
if it is not reasonably #racticable to eliminate the risk& minimise the risk so far as is reasonably
#racticable by im#lementing control measures
maintain the im#lemente control measure so that it remains effective
revie%& an if necessary revise& all risk control measures so as to maintain& so far as is reasonably
#racticable& a %ork environment that is %ithout risks to health an safety"
'he hierarchy of risk control is escribe at Section 1"0 of this $oe"
'his $oe inclues guiance on ho% to manage electrical risks in the %ork#lace by follo%ing a
systematic #rocess that involves:
ientifying ha@ars
if necessary& assessing the risks associate %ith these ha@ars
im#lementing an maintaining risk control measures Be"g" ins#ecting an testing electrical
e?ui#ment& using R$5sC& an
revie%ing risk control measures"
Guiance on the general risk management #rocess is available in the !ode of "ractice# Ho( to
)anage Work Health and Safety Risks*
Consulting your workers
$onsultation involves sharing of information& giving %orkers a reasonable o##ortunity to e9#ress
vie%s an taking those vie%s into account before making ecisions on health an safety matters"
S+-. A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must consult& so far as is reasonably
#racticable& %ith %orkers %ho carry out %ork for the business or unertaking an %ho are Bor are
likely to beC irectly affecte by a %ork health an safety matter"
S+-1 If the %orkers are re#resente by a health an safety re#resentative& the consultation must
involve that re#resentative"
Page . of 00 <(L= 2012
$onsultation %ith %orkers an their health an safety re#resentatives is re?uire at every ste# of
the risk management #rocess" +y ra%ing on the e9#erience& kno%lege an ieas of your
%orkers you are more likely to ientify all ha@ars an choose effective risk controls"
Consulting, cooperating and coordinating activities with other duty holders
S+ -2 A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must& so far as is reasonably #racticable&
consult& coo#erate an coorinate activities %ith all other #ersons %ho have a %ork health or safety
uty in relation to the same matter"
Sometimes you may have res#onsibility for a health an safety matter along %ith other business
o#erators %ho are involve in the same activities or %ho share the same %ork#lace" In these
situations& you shoul e9change information to fin out %ho is oing %hat an %ork together in a
coo#erative an coorinate %ay so that all risks are eliminate or minimise so far as is
reasonably #racticable"
6or e9am#le& if you engage an electrical contractor to carry out electrical %ork at your %ork#lace
you shoul consult %ith the contractor on ho% Bin generalC the %ork is to be carrie out an in
#articular ho% risks to their health an safety an that of others at the %ork#lace are to be
manage %hile the %ork is carrie out" =ou shoul also coo#erate %ith the electrical contractor
Be"g" instructing on an ensuring com#liance %ith Gno go) @ones)C to ensure electrical safety of
everyone at the %ork#lace"
6urther guiance on consultation is available in the !ode of "ractice# Work Health and Safety
!onsultation+ !ooperation and !oordination"
Information, training, instruction and supervision
S+ ,3 A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure& so far as is reasonably
#racticable& the #rovision of any information& training& instruction or su#ervision that is necessary to
#rotect all #ersons from risks to their health an safety arising from %ork carrie out"
R+ /3 =ou must ensure that information& training an instruction #rovie to a %orker is suitable
an ae?uate having regar to:
the nature of the %ork carrie out by the %orker
the nature of the risks associate %ith the %ork at the time the information& training or instruction is
#rovie
the control measures im#lemente"
=ou must ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that the information& training an instruction
is #rovie in a %ay that is reaily unerstanable by any #erson to %hom it is #rovie"
6ormal or on/the/*ob training may be a##ro#riate e#ening on the circumstances" 89am#les of
training are:
inuction trainingDto ensure ne% starters or %orkers ne% to a *ob are traine on safe systems of
%ork an other relevant health an safety matters
su#ervisor an management trainingDto ensure that safety issues are a##ro#riately manage at
the %ork#lace
%ork/s#ecific trainingDto ensure that %orkers carrying out #articular %ork are traine on any
electrical an other risks s#ecific to the %ork& as a##ro#riate
ongoing or refresher trainingDto ensure that any training on %ork health an safety matters is
re#eate as a##ro#riate on a #erioic basis
Page ! of 00 <(L= 2012
emergency #roceure trainingDto ensure %orkers kno% %hat to o in the event of an emergency&
for e9am#le #roceures to follo% if a #erson receives an electric shock
first ai trainingDto ensure a##ro#riate #roceures are follo%e for aministering first ai& for
e9am#le #ro#er treatment for electric shock
electrical rescue an resuscitation training for safety observers"
S#ecial nees of %orkers shoul be taken into account in eciing the structure& content an
elivery of training& incluing literacy levels& %ork e9#erience an s#ecific skills re?uire to
carry out the %ork"
Page 10 of 00 <(L= 2012
PART A:
GENERAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE
Page 11 of 00 <(L= 2012
THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS
1.4 Identif) t!e !a4ards
Ientifying ha@ars involves fining all of the tasks& situations an se?uences of events that coul
#otentially cause harm"
Ea@ars arising from electrical e?ui#ment or installations may arise from:
the esign& construction& installation& maintenance an testing of electrical e?ui#ment or electrical
installations
esign change or moification
inae?uate or inactive electrical #rotection
%here an ho% electrical e?ui#ment is use" 8lectrical e?ui#ment may be sub*ect to o#erating
conitions that are likely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a reuction in its e9#ecte life
s#an" 6or e9am#le& e?ui#ment may be at greater risk of amage if use outoors or in a factory or
%orksho# environment
electrical e?ui#ment being use in an area in %hich the atmos#here #resents a risk to health an
safety from fire or e9#losion& for e9am#le confine s#aces
ty#e of electrical e?ui#ment" 6or e9am#le& G#lug in) electrical e?ui#ment that may be move aroun
from site to site& incluing e9tension leas& are #articularly liable to amage
the age of electrical e?ui#ment an electrical installations
%ork carrie out on or near electrical e?ui#ment or electrical installations& incluing electric
overhea lines or unergroun electric services& for e9am#le %ork carrie out in a confine s#ace
connecte to #lant or services"
89#osure to high electromagnetic fiels may also #resent a #otential ha@ar for %orkers %ith some
meical conitions& for e9am#le #ace makers" =ou must inform %orkers an other #ersons at the
%ork#lace of any #otential electromagnetic ha@ars at the %ork#lace that may affect a meical
conition" =ou must also manage risks to health an safety arising out of electromagnetic ha@ars&
incluing eliminating the risk so far as is reasonably #racticable" If that is not reasonably
#racticable you must minimise the risk so far as is reasonably #racticable"
Potential electrical ha@ars may be ientifie in a number of ifferent %ays incluing:
talking to %orkers an observing %here an ho% electrical e?ui#ment is use
regularly ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment an electrical installations as a##ro#riate
reaing #rouct labels an manufacturers) instruction manuals
talking to manufacturers& su##liers& inustry associations& an health an safety s#ecialists
revie%ing incient re#orts"
1.5 Assess t!e ris"s
Risk assessment involves consiering %hat coul ha##en if someone is e9#ose to a ha@ar
Bconse?uenceC an the likelihoo of it ha##ening"
6or %ork on energise electrical e?ui#ment& the WES Regulations re?uire that a risk assessment
be #re#are in %riting by a com#etent #ersonK for more information see Part + of this $oe"
A risk assessment can hel# etermine:
the severity of an electrical risk
%hether e9isting control measures are effective
%hat action you shoul take to control an electrical risk
ho% urgently the action nees to be taken"
Page 12 of 00 <(L= 2012
'o assess the risk associate %ith electrical ha@ars consier:
What is the #otential im#act of the ha@ar>
Eo% severe coul the electrical ha@ar be> 6or e9am#le& irect contact causing electrocution& fire
or e9#losion causing serious burns or eath"
Eo% many #eo#le are e9#ose to the ha@ar>
Eo% likely is the ha@ar to cause harm>
$oul it ha##en at any time or %oul it be a rare event>
Eo% fre?uently are %orkers e9#ose to the ha@ar>
Ither factors that may affect conse?uence an likelihoo inclue:
the conitions uner %hich the electrical e?ui#ment is use& for e9am#le %et conitions outoors
or confine s#aces
%ork #ractices an #roceures& for e9am#le isolation& to carry out maintenance
the ca#ability& skill an e9#erience of relevant %orkers"
1.( Contro t!e ris"s
Ince ha@ars have been ientifie an the risks assesse& a##ro#riate control measures must be
#ut in #lace"
'he %ays of controlling risks are ranke from the highest level of #rotection an reliability to the
lo%est" 'his ranking is kno%n as the hierarchy of risk control" =ou must %ork through this hierarchy
to choose the control that most effectively eliminates or minimises the risk in the circumstances& so
far as is reasonably #racticable" 'his may involve a single control measure or a combination of t%o
or more ifferent controls"
Elimination
'he most effective control measure is to remove the ha@ar or ha@arous %ork #ractice" +y
esigning/in or esigning/out certain features& ha@ars may be eliminate"
Su,stitution
Re#lacing a ha@arous #rocess or material %ith one that is less ha@arous %ill reuce the ha@ar&
an hence the risk" 6or e9am#le& it may be reasonably #racticable to use e9tra/lo% voltage
electrical e?ui#ment such as a battery/o#erate tool rather than a tool that is #lugge into mains
electricity"
Isolation
Preventing %orkers from coming into contact %ith the source of an electrical ha@ar %ill reuce the
relevant risks"
Engineering controls
(se engineering control measures to minimise the risk& for e9am#le installing resiual current
evices to reuce the risk of receiving a fatal electric shock"
Administrative controls
Aministrative controls involve the use of safe %ork #ractices to control the risk& for e9am#le
establishing e9clusion @ones& use of #ermits an %arning signs"
"ersonal protective e-uipment .""E/
PP8 inclues #rotective eye%ear& insulate gloves& har hats& a#rons an breathing #rotection"
Lost forms of PP8 are not relevant to minimising electrical risks in %ork#laces& e9ce#t in relation to
energise electrical %ork"
Page 12 of 00 <(L= 2012
Aministrative controls an PP8 o nothing to change the ha@ar itself" 'hey rely on #eo#le
behaving as e9#ecte an re?uire a high level of su#ervision" 89clusive reliance on aministrative
controls an PP8 must only occur %here other measures are not reasonably #racticable or as an
interim control %hile the #referre control measure is being im#lemente"
=ou shoul check that your chosen control measure oes not introuce ne% ha@ars"
1.7 Revie5 t!e contro meas$res
'he controls that are #ut in #lace to #rotect health an safety must be revie%e regularly to make
sure they %ork effectively"
R+ /1 A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must revie% an as necessary revise a
control measure in the follo%ing circumstances:
%hen the control measure oes not control the risk it %as im#lemente to control so far as is
reasonably #racticable
before a change at the %ork#lace that is likely to give rise to a ne% or ifferent risk to health or
safety that the measure may not effectively control
if a ne% relevant ha@ar or risk is ientifie
if the results of consultation inicate that a revie% is necessary
if a health an safety re#resentative re?uests a revie%"
'he follo%ing ?uestions %ill hel# you evaluate ho% %ell you are currently managing electrical risks
in your %ork#lace:
5o you talk to your %orkers about electrical safety> 5o any relevant ne% %ork methos or
e?ui#ment have the #otential to make %ork safer in your %ork#lace>
Are #roceures for ientifying electrical ha@ars in the %ork#lace effective>
Are electrical safety #roceures follo%e> 5o you encourage your %orkers to re#ort electrical
ha@ars>
5o you regularly ins#ect an maintain your electrical e?ui#ment to ientify safety #roblems>
5o you fi9 or rectify ientifie electrical ha@ars in a timely manner>
Page 11 of 00 <(L= 2012
SPECIFIC HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL
'here are a number of things you shoul o to manage the risks to health an safety associate
%ith electrical risks at the %ork#lace incluing:
8nsure #o%er circuits are #rotecte by the a##ro#riate rate fuse or circuit breaker to #revent
overloaing"
If the circuit kee#s overloaing& on)t increase the fuse rating as this creates a fire risk ue to
overheatingK instea ensure the circuit is not re/energise until the reason for the o#eration has
been etermine by a com#etent #erson"
Arrange electrical leas so they %ill not be amage" So far as is reasonably #racticable& avoi
running leas across the floor or groun& through oor%ays an over shar# eges& an use lea
stans or insulate cable hangers to kee# leas off the groun" In many heavy inustries& cable
#rotection ram#s are use to #rotect cables"
5on)t use leas an tools in am# or %et conitions unless they are s#ecially esigne for those
conitions"
8nsure circuits %here #ortable electrical e?ui#ment can be connecte are #rotecte by a##ro#riate
R$5s Bas re?uire by the WES RegulationsC that are #ro#erly teste an maintaine"
If R$5s& circuit breakers or other over current #rotective evices incluing fuses are triggere into
o#eration& ensure circuits are not re/energise until the reason for the o#eration has been
etermine by a com#etent #erson"
8nsure R$5s are effective by regular testing"
1.! 6nsafe eectrica e*$i&ment and eectrica instaations at t!e 5or"&ace
R+ ,-3 A #erson conucting a business or unertaking that has management or control of electrical
e?ui#ment must ensure that any unsafe electrical e?ui#ment at the %ork#lace is isconnecte Bor
isolateC from its electricity su##ly an& once isconnecte& is not reconnecte until it is re#aire or
teste an foun to be safe or is re#lace or #ermanently remove from use"
8lectrical e?ui#ment is unsafe if there are reasonable grouns for believing it to be unsafe"
=ou shoul im#lement a safe system of %ork to eal %ith #otentially unsafe electrical e?ui#ment at
the %ork#lace" 'his coul inclue:
re?uiring %orkers Bif com#etent to o soC to unertake a check of the #hysical conition of the
electrical e?ui#ment& incluing the lea an #lug connections& #rior to commencing use
taking the electrical e?ui#ment out of service if in oubt as to safety& incluing at any time uring
use
#utting re#orting arrangements in #lace to ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that
su#ervisors or line managers are avise if a %orker takes electrical e?ui#ment out of service for
safety reasons"
(nsafe electrical e?ui#ment must be isconnecte or isolate from its electricity su##ly" It must not
be reconnecte unless it is re#aire by a com#etent #erson or tests by a com#etent #erson have
confirme it is safe to use" Alternatively& it coul be re#lace or #ermanently remove from use"
(nsafe electrical e?ui#ment shoul be labelle inicating it is unsafe an must not be use" 'his is
to #revent inavertent use before the electrical e?ui#ment can be teste& re#aire or re#lace"
Page 13 of 00 <(L= 2012
1.' Ins&ectin% and testin% eectrica e*$i&ment
Ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment %ill assist in etermining %hether it is electrically safe"
Regular visual ins#ection can ientify obvious amage& %ear or other conitions that might make
electrical e?ui#ment unsafe" Lany electrical efects are etectable by visual ins#ection"
Regular testing can etect electrical faults an eterioration that cannot be etecte by visual
ins#ection"
'he nature an fre?uency of ins#ection an testing %ill vary e#ening on the nature of the
%ork#lace an the risks associate %ith the electrical e?ui#ment"
Lo%er/risk %ork#laces inclue those %ork#laces that are ry& clean& %ell/organise an free of
conitions that are likely to result in amage to electrical e?ui#ment& for e9am#le an office& retail
sho#& telecommunications centre& classroom& etc" 8lectrical e?ui#ment commonly use in these
ty#es of lo%er/risk %ork#laces inclues com#uters& #hotoco#iers& stationery or fi9e electrical
e?ui#ment" A key source of information on ealing %ith the ins#ection an testing of electrical
e?ui#ment is the manufacturer)s recommenations"
In this section a reference to Gins#ection) or Gtesting) e9clues re#air of electrical e?ui#ment"
Inspecting and testing electrical equipmentother than equipment used in specified
higher-risk operating environments
,ot all electrical items nee to be ins#ecte an teste uner Regulation 130Dfor legal
re?uirements see Sections 1"10 an of this $oe& %hich eal %ith ins#ection an testing
re?uirements for electrical e?ui#ment use in s#ecifie higher/risk o#erating environments"
8lectrical e?ui#ment use in lo%er/risk o#erating environments oes not re?uire ins#ection an
testing or Gtagging)"
Guiance on ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment in lo%er/risk o#erating environments is
inclue in AS;,FS 2-00:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical e-uipment Bif
covere by that StanarC an may also be inclue in the manufacturer)s recommenations"
AS;,FS 2-00:2010 sets out inicative ins#ection an testing intervals for certain electrical
e?ui#ment& incluing R$5s& use in a variety of ifferent o#erating environments"
In aition to regular testing& electrical e?ui#ment shoul also be teste:
after a re#air or servicing that coul affect the electrical safety of the e?ui#ment Bi"e" unertaken by
the #erson carrying out the re#air or servicing before return to serviceC
before its first use if bought secon/han"
Ins#ection an testing of electrical e?ui#ment may involve& in #art:
looking for obvious amage& efects or moifications to the electrical e?ui#ment& incluing
accessories& connectors& #lugs or cor e9tension sockets
looking for iscolouration that may inicate e9#osure to e9cessive heat& chemicals or moisture
checking the integrity of #rotective earth an insulation resistance
checking that fle9ible cors are effectively anchore to e?ui#ment& #lugs& connectors an cor
e9tension sockets
looking for amage to fle9ible cors
checking that o#erating controls are in goo %orking orer i"e" they are secure& aligne an
a##ro#riately ientifie
checking that covers& guars& etc" are secure an %orking in the manner intene by the
manufacturer or su##lier
checking that ventilation inlets an e9hausts are unobstructe
Page 10 of 00 <(L= 2012
checking that the current rating of the #lug matches the current rating of the associate electrical
e?ui#ment"
,ote that AS;,FS 2-00:2010 s#ecifically e9clues meical evices an electrical evices in
#atient care areas" 6or more information see AS;2331:2001 0echnical management programmes
for medical devices or AS;,FS 2002:2011 Electrical Installations 1 patient areas*
2e( e-uipment
+ran/ne% electrical e?ui#ment that has never been #ut into use Bi"e" other than secon/han
e?ui#mentC oes not have to be teste before first use"
+ran/ne% electrical e?ui#ment& ho%ever& shoul still be visually ins#ecte to ensure that no
amage occurre uring trans#ort& elivery& installation or commissioning"
If the electrical e?ui#ment is re?uire to be teste regularly for safety& take the necessary ste#s to
ensure that it oes not miss its first re?uire test"
'he ate the electrical e?ui#ment %as #lace into service shoul be recore Be"g" on the recor of
installation or else%hereC" 'he electrical e?ui#ment may also be fitte %ith a tag stating:
that the e?ui#ment is Gne% to service)
the ate of entry into service
the ate %hen the first electrical safety test is ue
that the e?ui#ment has not been teste"
6itting a Gne% to service) tag is an aministrative task that can be carrie out by an a##ro#riately
traine in/house #erson"
Alternatively& a ifferent system may be #ut into #lace to ensure the electrical e?ui#ment is
#ro#erly ins#ecte an teste as re?uire Be"g" the ne% electrical e?ui#ment can be inclue in the
ne9t roun of electrical testing carrie out at the %ork#laceC"
Inspecting and testing equipmentregulatory requirements for specified higher-risk
operating environments other than construction or demolition sites
R+ ,78 A #erson conucting a business or unertaking %ith management or control of electrical
e?ui#ment must ensure that the electrical e?ui#ment is regularly ins#ecte an teste by a
com#etent #erson if the electrical e?ui#ment is:
su##lie %ith electricity through an electrical socket outlet BG#lug in) e?ui#mentC& an
use in an environment in %hich its normal use e9#oses the e?ui#ment to o#erating conitions that
are likely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a reuction in its e9#ecte life s#an"
'his inclues conitions that involve e9#osing the electrical e?ui#ment to moisture& heat& vibration&
mechanical amage& corrosive chemicals or ust"
=ou must ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that electrical e?ui#ment is not use if the
e?ui#ment is re?uire to be teste uner these re?uirements but has not been teste" Possible
actions may inclue the storing of e?ui#ment in locke areas to #revent use or the use of Glock out)
labels an tags"
Ins#ection an testing re?uirements a##ly in relation to:
certain higher/risk %ork#laces in %hich electrical e?ui#ment is e9#ose to o#erating conitions that
are likely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a reuction in its e9#ecte life s#an
construction an emolition sites Bsee Section 1"10 of this $oeC"
Page 1- of 00 <(L= 2012
'hese o#erating environments have the #otential to seriously affect the safe o#eration of electrical
e?ui#ment" 'his inclues conitions that involve e9#osing the electrical e?ui#ment to moisture&
heat& vibration& mechanical amage& corrosive chemicals an ust" 89am#les inclue %et or usty
areas& outoors& %ork#laces that use corrosive substances& commercial kitchens an
manufacturing environments"
A risk assessment can hel# etermine %hether electrical e?ui#ment is being use in any of these
o#erating environments at a #articular %ork#lace"
6or guiance on a##ro#riate ins#ection an testing intervals& seek the avice of a com#etent
#erson Bsee belo%C" 6urther guiance may be inclue in AS;,FS 2-00:2010 In-service safety
inspection and testing of electrical e-uipment an the manufacturer)s recommenations"
As a general rule electrical e?ui#ment use in the s#ecifie higher/risk o#erating environments
shoul be teste at least once every 12 months" Lore fre?uent testing may be re?uire& for
e9am#le in relation to:
electrical e?ui#ment use in manufacturing an %orksho# environments Be"g" at least once every
0 monthsC
commercial cleaning e?ui#ment Be"g" at least once every 0 monthsC
hire e?ui#ment Be"g" at least once every 2 monthsC"
Hire e-uipment
Persons conucting a business or unertaking hiring out electrical e?ui#ment must ensure the
e?ui#ment is ins#ecte at the commencement of each hire an teste every three months"
'he #erson conucting a business or unertaking using the electrical e?ui#ment hire out must
ensure that& for the #erio of the hire& the e?ui#ment meets all a##licable ins#ection an testing
re?uirements uner the WES Regulations an this $oe"
Competency requirements for those carrying out inspection and testing of electrical
equipment
Ins#ection an testing of electrical e?ui#ment must be carrie out by a #erson %ho has ac?uire&
through training& ?ualification or e9#erience& the kno%lege an skills to carry out the task Bi"e" be a
Gcom#etent #erson)C" Ins#ection an testing of electrical e?ui#ment must be carrie out by a
com#etent #erson %ho has the relevant kno%lege& skills an test instruments to carry out the
relevant ins#ection an testing" 'he #erson carrying out any testing of electrical e?ui#ment shoul
also be com#etent to inter#ret the test results of any e?ui#ment they use" 6or e9am#le& a #erson
carrying out testing uner AS;,FS 2-00:2010 must be:
a license or registere electrician B%hichever a##liesC& or
in some *urisictions& a license electrical ins#ector& or
a #erson %ho has successfully com#lete a structure training course an been eeme
com#etent in the use of a #ass/fail ty#e #ortable a##liance tester an the visual ins#ection of
electrical e?ui#ment"
'he training shoul be esigne to ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that on com#letion
successful #artici#ants:
can use the relevant test e?ui#ment safely an effectively
unerstan electrical risks an a##reciate the role that ins#ection an testing #lays in ensuring
electrical safety
unerstan AS;,FS 2-00:2010 an AS;,FS 2012:2010 Bif testing e?ui#ment for construction or
emolition sitesC
unerstan the legal re?uirements relevant to the %ork"
Page 1. of 00 <(L= 2012
Some kins of electrical testing must only be carrie out by a license electrician or electrical
ins#ector uner local electrical safety la%s" 6or e9am#le& testing re?uiring the ismantling of
electrical e?ui#ment shoul only be carrie out by a license electrician"
Aitional or ifferent com#etencies may be re?uire for more com#le9 kins of testing outsie the
sco#e of AS;,FS 2-00:2010"
If in oubt& avice shoul be obtaine from a #erson ?ualifie an e9#erience in electrical
e?ui#ment testing& for e9am#le an electrician& electrical contractor& electrical ins#ector& s#ecialist
testing #rovier or relevant regulator"
Recording results of testing
R+ ,78 A recor of testing must be ke#t until the electrical e?ui#ment is ne9t teste& #ermanently
remove from the %ork#lace or is#ose of" A recor of testing must s#ecify the follo%ing:
the name of the #erson %ho carrie out the testing
the ate of the testing
the outcome of the testing& an
the ate on %hich the ne9t testing must be carrie out"
'he recor may be in the form of a tag attache to the electrical e?ui#ment teste"
3og ,ook or other similar form of record
'he recor of testing may take the form of a log book& atabase& register or a similar kin of recor&
or a tag" Log books an similar recors have the avantage of:
ensuring there is a #ermanent recor of ins#ection an testing Bfor e9am#le& as a backu# if tags
are amage or removeC
facilitating internal auit
allo%ing more etaile information to be recore"
0ag
If the recor of testing is a tag& it shoul be urable& %ater resistant& non/metallic& self/ahesive or
%ell/secure& inca#able of re/use an have a bright& istinctive surface"
'he tag may also be colour/coe to ientify the month in %hich the testing %as carrie out"
A tag may not inclue all of the re?uire information" In that case& the rest of the re?uire
information must be recore else%here an ke#t for the relevant #erio of time"
If a tag is not use you shoul ensure that teste electrical e?ui#ment is marke or labelle so that
recors of testing can clearly ientify the relevant e?ui#ment"
1.1$ Ins&ectin% and testin% e*$i&ment 9 constr$ction and demoition sites
R ,2/ A #erson conucting a business or unertaking that inclues the carrying out of construction
%ork must com#ly %ith AS;,FS 2012:2010 Electrical installations 1 !onstruction and demolition
sites"
AS;,FS 2012:2010 a##lies as if any term that is efine in that Stanar an that is also efine in
the WES Act or Regulations has the same meaning as it has in the WES Act or Regulations"
If there is any inconsistency bet%een the Stanar an Part 1"- of the WES Regulations then it is
sufficient that the #erson com#lies %ith AS;,FS 2012:2010"
Page 1! of 00 <(L= 2012
1.11 Resid$a c$rrent devices :RC's;
'he risk of electric shock often results from #eo#le making contact %ith un#rotecte energise
#arts of electrical e?ui#ment an earth" $ontact %ith energise #arts may occur by touching:
bare conuctors
internal #arts of electrical e?ui#ment
e9ternal #arts of electrical e?ui#ment that have become energise because of an internal fault
metallic or other conuctive e?ui#ment that has inavertently become live"
$ontact %ith earth occurs through normal boy contact %ith the groun or earthe metal #arts"
Serious in*uries an fatalities may be #revente by the use of #ro#erly installe an maintaine
resiual current evices R$5s& commonly referre to as Gsafety s%itches)" An R$5 is an electrical
safety evice esigne to immeiately s%itch off the su##ly of electricity %hen electricity Gleaking)
to earth is etecte at harmful levels" R$5s offer high levels of #ersonal #rotection from electric
shock"
R$5s %ork by continuously com#aring the current flo% in both the active Bsu##lyC an neutral
BreturnC conuctors of an electrical circuit" If the current flo% becomes sufficiently unbalance&
some of the current in the active conuctor is not returning through the neutral conuctor an is
leaking to earth" R$5s are esigne to ?uickly isconnect the electricity su##ly %hen they sense
harmful leakage& ty#ically 20 milliam#s or less" 'his ensures an electrical leak is etecte an the
electricity su##ly is isconnecte before it can cause serious in*ury or amage"
While R$5s significantly reuce the risk of electric shock they o not #rovie #rotection in all
circumstances" 6or e9am#le& an R$5 %ill not trigger off electricity su##ly if a #erson contacts both
active an neutral conuctors %hile hanling faulty #lugs or electrical e?ui#ment an electricity
flo%s through the #erson)s boy& unless there is also a current flo% to earth"
hen RC!s must "e provided for use in workplaces
R+ ,2- A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure& so far as is reasonably
#racticable& that any electrical risk associate %ith the su##ly of electricity to G#lug in) electrical
e?ui#ment is minimise by the use of an a##ro#riate R$5 in certain higher/risk %ork#laces"
'he follo%ing re?uirement only a##lies if it is reasonably #racticable to #rovie an R$5 in the
higher risk %ork#laces:
If electricity is su##lie to the e?ui#ment re?uiring an R$5 through a socket outlet not e9ceeing
20 am#s the R$5 must have a tri##ing current that oes not e9cee 20 milliam#s"
'his oes not a##ly if the su##ly of electricity to the electrical e?ui#ment:
oes not e9cee 30 volts alternating current& or
is irect current& or
is #rovie through an isolating transformer that #rovies at least an e?uivalent level of #rotection&
or
is #rovie from a non/earthe socket outlet su##lie by an isolate %ining #ortable generator
that #rovies at least an e?uivalent level of #rotection"
!onstruction and demolition sites
=ou must com#ly %ith AS;,FS 2012:2010 in relation to R$5 re?uirements for construction an
emolition sites*
Page 20 of 00 <(L= 2012
R$5 re?uirements only a##ly in relation to %ork#laces %here electrical e?ui#ment su##lie %ith
electricity through a socket outlet B#lug/in electrical e?ui#mentC is use or may be use in certain
higher/risk %ork#laces" 'hese are %ork#laces %ith o#erating conitions %here:
the normal use of electrical e?ui#ment e9#oses the e?ui#ment to o#erating conitions that are
likely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a reuction in its e9#ecte life s#an& incluing
conitions that involve e9#osure to moisture& heat& vibration& mechanical amage& corrosive
chemicals or ust
electrical e?ui#ment is move bet%een ifferent locations in circumstances %here amage to the
e?ui#ment or to a fle9ible electricity su##ly cor is reasonably likely
electrical e?ui#ment is fre?uently move uring its normal use
electrical e?ui#ment forms #art of& or is use in connection %ith& an amusement evice"
$ommon e9am#les of electrical e?ui#ment re?uiring an R$5 inclue:
han/hel electrical e?ui#ment& for e9am#le rills& sa%s& hair ryers& curling %ans an electric
knives
electrical e?ui#ment that is move %hile in o#eration& incluing *ackhammers& electric la%n
mo%ers& floor #olishers an e9tension cors
electrical e?ui#ment that is move bet%een *obs in %ays that coul result in amage to the
e?ui#ment& for e9am#le electric %elers& electric cement mi9ers& #ortable bench sa%s an
e9tension cors"
Aitional R$5 re?uirements may be inclue in AS;,FS 2000:200-& local builing an electrical
safety la%s"
#ther legal requirements
Aitional R$5 re?uirements may be inclue in local builing an electrical safety la%s"
$on-porta"le %or &fi'ed() and porta"le RC!s
,on/#ortable Bor Gfi9e)C R$5s are R$5s that are installe at either the s%itchboar Bsee 6igure 1C
or a fi9e socket outlet Bsee 6igure 2C"
,on/#ortable R$5s installe at the main s%itchboar #rotect the %iring connecte to the R$5 an
electrical e?ui#ment #lugge into the #rotecte circuit"
,on/#ortable R$5s installe at a fi9e socket outlet #rovie #rotection to electrical e?ui#ment
#lugge into the outlet"
<i%$re ,= S%itchboar R$5 unit <i%$re >= 6i9e socket outlet R$5 unit
Portable R$5s are generally #lugge into a socket outlet an& e#ening on esign& may #rotect
one or more items of electrical e?ui#ment"
Page 21 of 00 <(L= 2012
<i%$re /= Portable R$5 fitte irectly to #o%er cable <i%$re -= Portable R$5 #rotecte #o%er boar
Classes of RC!s
R$5s are classifie in AS;,FS 21!0:2011 Approval and test specification 1 Residual current
devices .current-operated earth-leakage devices/* 'he t%o relevant ty#es are:
T)&e 'escri&tion Genera G$idance 9 6se
T)&e I 'y#e I R$5s have a resiual
current rating not e9ceeing
10 milliam#s an a tri##ing time
%ithin 20 millisecons"
'y#e I R$5s are the most sensitive an are
re?uire for electrical e?ui#ment that is irectly
connecte to #eo#le& for e9am#le #atients in
hos#itals or ental #ractices"
T)&e II 'y#e II R$5s have a resiual
current rating greater than
10 milliam#s but not e9ceeing 20
milliam#s an a tri##ing time
%ithin 200 millisecons"
'y#e II R$5s are most suitable for #ersonal
#rotection against in*ury incluing electric shock"
Requirement for &appropriate( RC!s
'he WES Regulations re?uire Ga##ro#riate) R$5s to be selecte an use in the s#ecifie higher/
risk o#erating conitions" If an R$5 is re?uire& the R$5 must have a tri##ing current that oes not
e9cee 20 milliam#s if electricity is su##lie to the e?ui#ment through a socket outlet not
e9ceeing 20 am#s"
'he WES Regulations o not #rescribe %hether R$5s must be non/#ortable or #ortable" 'he most
Ga##ro#riate) R$5 %ill e#en on the %ork#lace environment"
'o assist %ith #ro#er selection& further information about the avantages an isavantages of
ifferent kins of non/#ortable an #ortable R$5s is escribe in A##eni9 +"
=ou may nee to seek technical avice from a com#etent #erson about the kins of R$5s that are
a##ro#riate for your %ork#lace"
Eo%ever& for construction an emolition sites you must com#ly %ith AS;,FS 2012:2010"
Aitional re?uirements for the installation of non/#ortable R$5s may also a##ly uner local
builing an electrical safety la%s as set out in AS;,FS 2000:200- Electrical installations Bkno%n
as the Australian;,e% Fealan Wiring RulesC"
Page 22 of 00 <(L= 2012
Inspecting and testing RC!s
R+ ,27 A #erson %ith management or control of a %ork#lace must take all reasonable ste#s to
ensure that resiual current evices use at the %ork#lace are teste regularly by a com#etent
#erson to ensure the evices are %orking effectively"
A recor of testing Bother than aily testingC must be ke#t until the evice is ne9t teste or is#ose
of"
AS;,FS 2012:2010 a##lies in relation to construction an emolition sites"
Persons %ith management or control of a %ork#lace must take all reasonable ste#s to ensure that
R$5s use at the %ork#lace are teste regularly by a com#etent #erson" 'his re?uirement covers
R$5s use in all o#erating environments incluing non/#ortable Bor Gfi9e)C R$5s"
If an R$5 is teste an foun to be faulty it must be taken out of service an re#lace as soon as
#ossible"
Re?uirements for ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment use in certain higher/risk %ork#laces
%hich coul& for e9am#le inclue #ortable R$5s& are e9#laine in Section of this $oe"
6or guiance on a##roval an test s#ecifications& see AS;,FS 21!0: Approval and test
specification 1 Residual current devices*
*esting new porta"le RC!s
A ne% #ortable R$5 unit shoul be teste by #ressing the Gtri# test) button to ensure the R$5
is effective"
Page 22 of 00 <(L= 2012
PART B:
ELECTRICAL WORK
Page 21 of 00 <(L= 2012
MANAGING THE RISKS OF ELECTRICAL WORK
'he WES Regulations o not moify& su##lement or other%ise change licensing or registration
re?uirements B%hichever a##liesC uner electrical licensing la%s"
R+ ,-2 =ou must take all reasonable ste#s to ensure that electrical %ork that is re?uire to be
unertaken by a license or registere electrical %orker is unertaken by a %orker that meets the
relevant licensing or registration re?uirements"
1.12 W!at is eectrica 5or"#
Eectrica 5or" means:
connecting electricity su##ly %iring to electrical e?ui#ment or isconnecting electricity su##ly %iring
from electrical e?ui#ment
installing& removing& aing& testing& re#lacing& re#airing& altering or maintaining electrical
e?ui#ment or an electrical installation"
8lectrical %ork oes not inclue:
%ork that involves connecting electrical e?ui#ment to an electricity su##ly by means of a fle9ible
cor #lug an socket outlet
%ork on a non/electrical com#onent of electrical e?ui#ment if the #erson carrying out the %ork is
not e9#ose to an electrical risk
re#lacing electrical e?ui#ment or a com#onent of electrical e?ui#ment if that task can be safely
#erforme by a #erson %ho oes not have e9#ertise in carrying out electrical %ork Be"g" re#lacing
omestic fuses or light bulbsC
assembling& making& moifying or re#airing electrical e?ui#ment as #art of a manufacturing
#rocess
builing or re#airing ucts& conuits or troughs %here electrical %iring is or %ill be installe if:
the ucts& conuits or troughs are not intene to be earthe
the %iring is not energise& an
the %ork is su#ervise by a license or registere electrical %orker
locating or mounting electrical e?ui#ment& or fi9ing electrical e?ui#ment in #lace& if this task is not
#erforme in relation to the connection of electrical e?ui#ment to an electricity su##ly
assisting a license electrician to carry out electrical %ork if:
the assistant is irectly su#ervise by the license electrician& an
the assistance oes not involve #hysical contact %ith any energise electrical e?ui#ment
carrying out electrical %ork& other than %ork on energise electrical e?ui#ment& in orer to meet
eligibility re?uirements in relation to becoming a license electrician"
8lectrical %ork oes not inclue %ork on electrical e?ui#ment that is o#erate by electricity at
e9tra/lo% voltage e9ce#t:
electrical e?ui#ment that is #art of an electrical installation that is locate in an area in %hich the
atmos#here #resents a risk to health an safety from fire or e9#losion
in relation to electrical e?ui#ment that is #art of an active im#resse current cathoic #rotection
system %ithin the meaning of AS 2.22"1:2001"
1.1# Identif) t!e !a4ards
See Section 1"1 of this $oe"
1.14 Assess t!e ris"s
Page 23 of 00 <(L= 2012
A risk assessment involves consiering %hat coul ha##en if someone is e9#ose to a ha@ar an
the likelihoo of it ha##ening" Risks associate %ith electrical %ork may arise from:
the #ro#erties of electricity" 8lectricity is #articularly ha@arous because electrical currents are not
visible an o not have any smell or soun
ho% an %here the electrical %ork is carrie out" 8lectrical %ork may be carrie out in ifficult
conitions& incluing in %et %eather conitions& confine s#aces an in atmos#heres that #resent a
risk to health an safety from fire or e9#losion
the com#etence of the #ersons carrying out the electrical %ork"
If energise or Glive) electrical %ork is #ro#ose to be carrie out& a risk assessment must be
unertaken before the %ork starts an it must be carrie out by a com#etent #erson an recore"
6or more information about energise electrical %ork& see Section - of this $oe*
'he follo%ing risk factors associate %ith carrying out electrical %ork shoul be consiere:
sources of electrical risks& incluing energy levels at the %ork#lace
the nature of the electrical %ork to be carrie out
#otential or actual high fault current levels Bi"e" risks associate %ith arc flashC
availability of isolation #oints
%ork #ractices
the ty#e of #lant& machinery an e?ui#ment to be use
availability of suitable test instruments
availability of #ro#erly rate PP8
the %ork#lace an %orking environment& for e9am#le:
%et %eather conitions
in an aroun trenches& #its an unergroun ucts
laers& scaffols& #ortable #ole #latforms& elevating %ork #latforms& #oles an to%ers
confine s#aces
ability to safely rescue #ersons
the com#etence of #eo#le carrying out the %ork& noting that licensing re?uirements may a##ly for
the electrical %ork uner local electrical safety la%s"
Also consier iniviual %orkers) nees& for e9am#le:
Is the %orker e9#erience in& an have they been #ro#erly traine for& the %orking conitions>
Is the %orker #hysically fit for the #ro#ose %ork& for e9am#le are they able to climb to heights to
%ork on an overhea conuctor or are they mentally alert an not fatigue>
5oes the %orker have a visual or hearing im#airment& for e9am#le o they have a visual colour
eficiency or hearing loss>
5oes the %orker take any meication that may increase their vulnerability to %ork in electrical
environments>
Is the %orker %orking e9cessively long hours>
5oes the %orker suffer from claustro#hobia>
A##eni9 $ may be use to assist %ith ientifying ha@ars an assessing risks in carrying out
electrical %ork"
1.15 Contro t!e ris"s
Page 20 of 00 <(L= 2012
Ince ha@ars have been ientifie an the risks assesse& a##ro#riate control measures must be
#ut in #lace" 8lectrical safety generally e#ens on a##ro#riate training& %ork #lanning& an correct
testing #roceures an techni?ues"
'he %ays of controlling risks are ranke from the highest level of #rotection an reliability to the
lo%est" 'his ranking is kno%n as the hierarchy of risk control" =ou must %ork through this hierarchy
to choose the control that most effectively eliminates or minimises the risk in the circumstances& so
far as is reasonably #racticable" 'his may involve a single control measure or a combination of t%o
or more ifferent controls"
Elimination
'he most effect control measure is to remove the ha@ar or ha@arous %ork #ractice" 6or e9am#le&
%orking e/energise rather than energise eliminates significant electrical risks" 'hat is %hy the
WES Regulations #rohibit energise electrical %ork sub*ect to certain e9ce#tions"
Su,stitution
Re#lacing a ha@arous #rocess or material %ith one that is less ha@arous %ill reuce the ha@ar&
an hence the risk" 6or e9am#le& it may not be reasonably #racticable to eliminate energise
electrical %ork altogetherK ho%ever& even if it is necessary Bfor one of the legally #ermissible
reasonsC to %ork on an energise electrical #art& it may be #ossible to e/energise the surrouning
#arts"
Isolation
Preventing %orkers from coming into contact %ith the source of the electrical ha@ar %ill reuce the
relevant risks"
Engineering controls
(se engineering control measures to minimise the risk& for e9am#le insulation& guaring an
installing resiual current evices to #revent electric shock"
Administrative controls
Aministrative controls involve the use of safe %ork #ractices to control the risk& for e9am#le the
#rovision of suitable an ae?uate training& establishing e9clusion @ones& use of #ermits an
%arning signs"
"ersonal protective e-uipment .""E/
PP8 inclues #rotective eye%ear& insulate gloves& har hats& a#rons an breathing #rotection"
'he PP8 shoul be rate for the %ork to be one" If %orking on energise e?ui#ment& the PP8
must be able to #rotect the user from the ma9imum #ros#ective energy available at the %ork site"
Aministrative controls an PP8 o nothing to change the ha@ar itself" 'hey rely on #eo#le
behaving as e9#ecte an re?uire a high level of su#ervision" 89clusive reliance on aministrative
controls an PP8 must only occur %here other measures are not reasonably #racticable or as an
interim control %hile the #referre control measure is being im#lemente" See regulation 20 of the
WES Regulations"
Eo%ever& aministrative controls such as #rocurement an #ersonnel #olicies an #roceures are
very im#ortant in relation to electrical risks& as they %ill hel# to ensure that electrical %ork is carrie
out by a ?ualifie electrician as re?uire by la%"
=ou shoul check that your chosen control measure oes not introuce ne% ha@ars"
1.1( Revie5 t!e contro meas$res
See Section 1"- of this $oe"
Page 2- of 00 <(L= 2012
RISK CONTROLS WORKING DEENERGISED
8lectrical %ork B%hether energise or e/energiseC must only be carrie out by a##ro#riately
license or registere electrical %orkers"
6or more information about the a##licable electrical licensing or registration la%s contact the local
regulator in the relevant *urisiction"
1.17 Genera &rinci&es 9 verification of de0ener%ised eectrica e*$i&ment
R+ ,7>0,72 A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure that electrical %ork is not
carrie out on electrical e?ui#ment %hile the e?ui#ment is energise& sub*ect to the #rescribe
e9ce#tions iscusse in Section of this $oe"
'hese #rovisions o not a##ly to %ork carrie out by or on behalf of electricity su##ly authorities on
the electrical e?ui#ment& incluing line/associate e?ui#ment& controlle or o#erate by the
authority to generate& transform& transmit or su##ly electricity" 'his e9em#tion oes not e9ten to
the electricity generation sector"
A #erson conucting a business or unertaking carrying out electrical %ork must ensure that&
before electrical %ork is carrie out on electrical e?ui#ment& the e?ui#ment is teste by a
com#etent #erson to etermine %hether or not it is energise"
'he #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure that:
each e9#ose #art is treate as energise until it is isolate an etermine not to be energise&
an
each high/voltage e9#ose #art is earthe after being e/energise"
A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure that electrical e?ui#ment that has
been e/energise to allo% for electrical %ork to be carrie out cannot be inavertently re/
energise"
'he safe %ork #roceure G'8S' 6IR G58A5) +86IR8 =I( 'I($E) must be a##lie at all times"
8ven if the electricity su##ly is believe to have been isolate& it must be assume that all
conuctors an electrical com#onents are energise until they have been #roven e/energise"
'esting for Gea) must be unertaken as a##ro#riate for the uration of the electrical %ork" 'esting
is unertaken #rior to touching& taking into account all relevant factors incluing the nature of the
conuctor& nature of the isolation& nature of %ork& if there has been a change or the area has been
left ile BunatteneC for a #erio"
'he testing metho Bincluing the tester useC must be safe an effective" 'he electrical %orker
carrying out the testing must unerstan testing #roceures an be com#etent in the use of the
tester"
Panel voltmeters shoul not be use as the only metho of etermining %hether an electrical #art
is e/energise"
If voltage testers are use they shoul be teste for correct o#eration immeiately before use an
again after use to confirm that the instrument is still %orking" 'his check shoul be consiere to
be #art of the G'8S' 6IR G58A5) +86IR8 =I( 'I($E) safe %ork #roceure"
If there are any e9#ose conuctors in the immeiate %ork area they shoul be se#arate by
esign or segregate an #rotecte %ith insulate barricaes& insulate shrouing or insulate
material to #revent against inavertent or irect contact"
6or more information about testing instruments see $ha#ter of this $oe"
Page 2. of 00 <(L= 2012
1.1! Safe 5or" met!od statements
R+ ,2, A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure that electrical %ork on
energise electrical e?ui#ment is carrie out in accorance %ith a safe %ork metho statement"
Safe %ork metho statements are re?uire in relation to #rescribe Ghigh risk construction %ork)& in
aition to energise electrical %ork" 6or more information about safe %ork metho statements see
Section 1"20 of this $oe an for Ghigh risk construction %ork) see the !ode of "ractice#
!onstruction Work*
1.1' Wor" on cabes :inc$din% c$ttin% cabes;
Where %ork is to be carrie out on a cable& the cable shoul be e/energise"
$ables must be treate as energise an the #roceures for %orking on energise electrical
e?ui#ment follo%e until #ositive tests can be mae that #rove the cable is e/energise"
If the cable)s connections are e9#ose the connections an attache live #arts shoul be #rove to
be e/energise an ientifie before %ork starts"
$utting cables #resents #articular risks" +oth ens of the cable shoul be checke for isolation
#rior to cutting" Schematic iagrams or Gas built) iagrams shoul be checke carefully to establish
seconary or metering circuits in multi/core cables #rior to cutting"
Aitional #recautions shoul be taken to ensure insulate or covere cables are e/energise&
%hether the cables are lo% voltage& high voltage or control cables"
6or e9am#le& the action of cutting a multi/core control cable is likely to create a risk if seconary
current from a current transformer is #resent" 'his risk may not be initially a##arentK that is& the
cable cutters may not be amage %hen the cable is cut" A high voltage may evelo# across the
o#en/circuite seconary %ining causing an electric shock& arcing or a fault at a later stage"
5e#ening on the situation& alternative #recautions may inclue:
using a cable s#iking or stabbing evice that is fit for #ur#ose
a combination of #roving it is e/energise an #hysically tracing the cable"
Page 2! of 00 <(L= 2012
LOW "OLTAGE ISOLATION AND ACCESS
Working e/energise on lo% voltage electrical e?ui#ment or circuits re?uires the electrical
e?ui#ment or circuits to be effectively isolate from all relevant sources of electricity su##ly" 'his
may be one using o#ening s%itches& removing fuses or links& o#ening circuit breakers or
removing circuit connections"
'he stanar ste#s in lo% voltage isolation are:
Cons$tation consulting %ith the #erson %ith management or control of the %ork#lace Be"g"
in relation to the timing of the %orkC an notifying any other affecte #ersons as
a##ro#riate
Isoation ientifying the circuitBsC re?uiring isolation
isconnecting active conuctors from the relevant sourceBsC& noting there may
be multi#le sources an stan/by systems;generators;#hotovoltaic systems as
%ell as au9iliary su##lies from other boars
if a removable or rack out circuit breaker or combine fuse s%itch is use it
shoul& if reasonably #racticable& be racke out or remove then locke o#en
an anger tagge
Sec$rin% t!e
isoation
locking the isolating s%itchBesC %here #racticable or removing an tying back
relevant conuctors to #rotect the #ersonBsC carrying out the electrical %ork
Ta%%in% tagging the s%itching #oints %here #ossible to #rovie general information to
#eo#le at the %ork#lace
Testin% testing to confirm the relevant circuits have been e/energise an any other
relevant conuctors in the %ork area
Re0testin% as
necessar)
for e9am#le& if the #erson carrying out the %ork tem#orarily leaves the
immeiate area& checks an tests must be carrie out on their return to ensure
that the electrical e?ui#ment being %orke on is still isolate to safeguar
against inavertent reconnection by another #erson
for e9am#le& if a %ire changes its status %hen cut& %hich can occur because it
is lifte from earth"
'he effectiveness of isolation #roceures relies on:
isolation #oints being reaily available;accessible an being suitable for the ty#e of isolation
Bs%itchingC being conucte
the necessary har%are
having isolation #roceures ocumente an accessible to electrical %orkers in the %ork#lace
the #rovision of instruction& information an training of electrical %orkers involve %ith the electrical
e?ui#ment
a##ro#riate su#ervision to ensure safe %ork #roceures& incluing isolation #roceures& are
follo%e"
Safe isolation #roceures Bincluing the use of locks an tags iscusse belo%C shoul be
evelo#e in consultation %ith relevant %orkers" If the %orkers are re#resente by a health an
safety re#resentative& the consultation must involve that re#resentative"
Page 20 of 00 <(L= 2012
1.2$ Sec$rin% t!e isoation
R+ ,72 A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure that electrical e?ui#ment that
has been e/energise to allo% electrical %ork to be carrie out on it is not inavertently re/
energise %hile the %ork is being carrie out"
6or %ork on lo% voltage electrical e?ui#ment or circuits& ensure that the correct #oint of isolation is
ientifie& an a##ro#riate means of isolation is use an the su##ly cannot be inavertently re/
energise %hile the %ork is carrie out"
A funamental #rinci#le is that the #oint of isolation shoul be uner the control of the #erson %ho
is carrying out the %ork on the isolate conuctors"
'agging systems shoul also be use at the #ointBsC of isolation %here #ossible for general
information"
'he isolation shoul be secure by locking off an tagging the electrical e?ui#ment as follo%s"
Instruction, information, training and supervision
A##ro#riate instruction& information& training an su#ervision must be #rovie to ensure that
electrical e?ui#ment that has been e/energise to allo% electrical %ork to be carrie out is not
inavertently re/energise" 'his inclues a##ro#riate instruction& information an training on
isolation #roceures to everyone %ho may be affecte at the %ork#lace"
+ocking off
Isolation #oints shoul be fitte %ith control mechanisms that #revent the electrical e?ui#ment from
being inavertently re/energise" 'he control mechanism shoul re?uire a eliberate action to
engage or isengage the evice" It shoul be able to %ithstan conitions that coul lea to the
isolation failing& for e9am#le vibration"
'his may inclue s%itches %ith a built/in lock an lock/outs for s%itches& circuit breakers& fuses an
safety lock/out *a%s Bsometimes calle Ghas#s)C"
All circuit breakers& s%itches an combine fuse s%itch units shoul be locke off to secure the
isolation %here #ossible" See 6igure 3 for e9am#les of locking/off methos incor#orating anger
tags"
Alternative controls may inclue an aitional com#onent& for e9am#le a cli#& scre%& bolt or #in that
can be inserte to #revent a s%itch from being o#erate" 'hese ty#es of controls shoul be use in
con*unction %ith aitional control measures& such as anger tags an #ermit systems"
If more than one #erson is %orking on the same e/energise electrical installation& iniviuals
shoul ensure their o%n #ersonal lock is a##lie to the isolation #oint& other%ise the #rinci#les of
tagging a##ly Bsee belo%C"
,o/one shoul o#erate an isolator or kno%ingly use e?ui#ment %here the isolator has a control
mechanism attache"
In situations %here isolation #oints are accessible by other #ersons at the %ork#lace ensure& so far
as is reasonably #racticable& that the isolation metho or system is not able to be inavertently or
easily com#romise"
Page 21 of 00 <(L= 2012
5anger tagge locking off has# 5anger tagge circuit breaker locking off evices
<i%$re 7= Locking off methos incor#orating anger tags
*agging systems
4anger tags
Isolation involves using suitable %arning or safety signs as %ell as locks or other controls to secure
the isolation"
Where #ossible& a tag shoul be attache to normal locks Bas sho%n in 6igure 3C at all #oints of
isolation use to e/energise electrical e?ui#ment from its electricity su##ly"
A tag oes not #erform the isolation function"
5anger tags are not re?uire %hen using eicate #ersonal isolation locks"
5anger tags are use for the uration of the electrical %ork to %arn #ersons at the %ork#lace that:
the electrical e?ui#ment is isolate or out of service
the electricity su##ly must not be s%itche back on or reconnecte
reconnecting electricity may enanger the life of the electrical %orkerBsC %orking on the e?ui#ment"
'he anger tag shoul:
be urable an securely fi9e to the isolator
clearly state the %arning& incluing any %arning about s#ecific ha@ars relating to the isolation Bfor
e9am#le& multi#le #oints of su##lyC
be ate an signe by the %orker or %orkers involve in carrying out the %ork or& %here
a##ro#riate& by the su#ervisor in charge of the %orkers
be attache in a #rominent #osition on each isolation #oint Bi"e" the #oint or one of many #oints
use to isolate electrical #artsC or evice
only be remove by the signatories to the tag" If unavailable an unable to return& measures must
be #ut in #lace to manage risks associate %ith removing the lock or tag Be"g" thorough
investigation to ensure all %orkers an others at the %ork#lace are safeC"
If the %ork is incom#lete& for e9am#le at a change of shift& the last #erson removes their anger tag
or lock an re#laces it %ith a %arning tag e"g" out of service or caution"
When %ork is resume& the #erson in charge of the %ork removes the %arning tag Bout of service
or cautionC an each #erson then a##lies their anger tag an;or lock"
When %ork is finally com#lete& each #erson removes their anger tag an;or lock"
Page 22 of 00 <(L= 2012
Where a formal #ermit system is use& all reasonable ste#s must be taken to ensure that the
esignate sign/on an tagging #roceures are follo%e"
Out of service tags
Iut of service or caution tags are use to ientify electrical e?ui#ment that is not safe to use or fit
for #ur#ose" 'he out of service or caution tag shoul:
be urable an securely attache
clearly state the nature of the efect or reason %hy the electrical e?ui#ment is unsafe
be attache on a #rominent #osition on each isolation #oint
only be remove by a com#etent #erson after fi9ing or rectifying the efect an making the
electrical e?ui#ment safe& or re#lacing %ith a anger tag in #re#aration to %ork on the e?ui#ment"
<i%$re 2= 89am#le of a anger tag an out of service tag
*esting
'esting must be carrie out to confirm the relevant circuits have been e/energise an the status
of any other relevant conuctors in the %ork area"
,onding conductors
6or guiance on boning conuctors if electrical e?ui#ment is isolate at a remote location or there
is a risk of inuce voltage being #resent& see AS;,FS 1.20"
1.21 Aterin% isoation for testin%( fa$t findin% and re0ener%isin%
It may be necessary to change an isolation #oint to allo% for testing or fault fining on energise
#arts& for e9am#le testing that may be re?uire before returning electrical e?ui#ment to service an
commissioning ne% electrical e?ui#ment"
Any testing or fault fining on energise #arts must be carrie out in accorance %ith re?uirements
for energise electrical %ork& %hich are iscusse in Section of this $oe"
If electricity su##ly is restore to #art of the circuit then safe #roceures for restoring electricity
su##ly must be follo%e"
Page 22 of 00 <(L= 2012
1.22 Restorin% &o5er
All reasonable ste#s must be taken to ensure that restoring electricity su##ly follo%ing isolation
oes not #ose risks to health an safety at the %ork#lace" 6or e9am#le:
a##ro#riately terminating all conuctors
carrying out a##ro#riate testing on any ne%& altere or re#aire electrical e?ui#ment& for e9am#le
tests for insulation resistance& earth continuity& #olarity& correct connection an function testing
removing safeguars& incluing tem#orary bons an short/circuiting evices
notifying all %orkers %orking on the electrical e?ui#ment an other affecte %orkers at the
%ork#lace that electricity is to be restore
taking #recautions as a##ro#riate to ensure that other electrical e?ui#ment is not inavertently
energise
follo%ing #roceures for removing any locks Bor other control mechanismsC& tags& notices an
safety signs
carrying out a visual ins#ection to ensure that all tools& sur#lus material an %aste has been
remove from the %ork#lace"
When electricity is restore tests must be carrie out to confirm that #olarity is correct& actives are
s%itche an& %here a##licable& #hase se?uences are correct before electrical e?ui#ment is use"
6or further information refer to AS;,FS 201-:200- Electrical installations 1 5erification guidelines"
1.2# Leavin% $nfinis!ed 5or"
If %ork is left unfinishe& the %ork#lace must be left in a safe state incluing& for e9am#le& by:
terminating any e9#ose conuctors
#hysically securing any e9#ose conuctors or surrouning metal %ork
tagging& ta#ing off the electrical e?ui#ment an the %ork#lace area
informing affecte #ersons at the %ork#lace the %ork is not com#lete an avising of #otential
ha@ars
taking any necessary #recautions to ensure that electrical e?ui#ment cannot become inavertently
re/energise
ensuring that the status of s%itchboars an electrical e?ui#ment are clearly an correctly labelle
haning over ae?uate information to %orkers taking u# the unfinishe %ork to allo% them to
continue the %ork safely"
Page 21 of 00 <(L= 2012
RISK CONTROLS ENERGISED ELECTRICAL WORK
1.24 Pro!ibition on ener%ised eectrica 5or"
R+ ,7> and ,7. A #erson conucting a business or unertaking carrying out electrical %ork must
ensure the %ork is not carrie out on energise electrical e?ui#ment unless:
it is necessary in the interests of health an safety that the electrical %ork is carrie out %hile the
e?ui#ment is energise Be"g" it may be necessary for life/saving e?ui#ment to remain energise
an o#erating %hile electrical %ork is carrie out on the e?ui#mentC& or
it is necessary that the electrical e?ui#ment to be %orke on is energise in orer for the %ork to
be carrie out #ro#erly& or
it is necessary for the #ur#oses of testing to ensure the e?ui#ment is e/energise as re?uire by
regulation 133& or
there is no reasonable alternative means of carrying out the %ork&
'hese re?uirements in relation to energise electrical %ork o not a##ly to %ork carrie out by or
on behalf of electricity su##ly authorities on the electrical e?ui#ment& incluing line/associate
e?ui#ment& controlle or o#erate by the authority to transform& transmit or su##ly electricity"
'hese authorities may be covere by se#arate electrical safety re?uirements"
8nergise electrical %ork is electrical %ork carrie out in circumstances %here the #art of electrical
e?ui#ment being %orke on is connecte to electricity or Genergise)"
8lectrical %ork must not be carrie out on electrical e?ui#ment %hile energise only because it is
merely more convenient for the electrical e?ui#ment to stay energise %hile the %ork is being
carrie out"
8nergise electrical %ork must not be carrie out unless the safety risk to those #ersons irectly
affecte by a su##ly interru#tion is higher than the risk to the license or registere electrical
%orkers #ro#ose to carry out the energise electrical %ork" Inly in e9tremely rare circumstances
%oul it be #ossible to *ustify that it is not #racticable to have a short break in su##ly" Lost
electrical installations suffer no harm through un#lanne interru#tions of this kin to the net%ork
su##ly" In some cases a short break may allo% for the insertion Ban removalC of insulate barriers"
A Person conucting a business or unertaking re?uiring electrical %ork to be carrie out may
#rovie o#erational reasons a##earing to *ustify energise electrical %ork" Re?uiring electrical %ork
to be carrie out %hile the e?ui#ment is energise %hen it coul be avoie #laces an onerous
res#onsibility on the business or unertaking commissioning the %ork to minimise the risks" Shoul
an incient occur as a result of carrying out energise electrical %ork& the business or unertaking
commissioning the %ork is at risk of being foun not to have #rovie a safe %ork#lace" 'his coul
contravene the #rimary uty of care uner the WES Act"
8nergise electrical %ork is generally #rohibite unless one or more of the e9ce#tions uner the
WES Regulations a##lies an the %ork is carrie out in accorance %ith the WES Regulations"
1.25 Pannin% and &re&aration
R+ ,71 If electrical %ork is to be carrie out on energise electrical e?ui#ment a #erson conucting
a business or unertaking must ensure before the %ork commences that:
a risk assessment is conucte by a com#etent #erson in relation to the #ro#ose %ork an
recore
the area %here the electrical %ork is to be carrie out is clear of obstructions so as to allo% for
easy access an e9it
the #oint at %hich the electrical e?ui#ment can be isconnecte or isolate from its electricity
su##ly is:
/ clearly marke or labelle& an
Page 23 of 00 <(L= 2012
/ cleare of obstructions so as to allo% for easy access an e9it by the %orker %ho is to carry
out the electrical %ork or any other com#etent #erson& an
/ ca#able of being o#erate ?uickly
the #erson authorises the electrical %ork after consulting %ith the #erson %ith management or
control of the %ork#lace"
Re?uirements relating to the #oint of su##ly uner the thir ot #oint above o not a##ly if the %ork
is to be carrie out on the su##ly sie of the main s%itch on the main s%itchboar for the
e?ui#ment an the #oint at %hich the e?ui#ment can be isconnecte from its electricity su##ly is
not reasonably accessible from the %ork location"
Risk assessments
See Section 1"11 for information on assessing the risks"
In aition to the liste consierations& the assessment shoul be esigne to check com#liance
%ith the legislative re?uirements escribe above"
6or energise electrical %ork& any significant finings shoul be recore& revie%e from time to
time an revise if necessary" See Section 1"- of this $oe for a escri#tion of triggers for revie%"
Consultation "etween duty holders
All #ersons conucting a business or unertaking at a %ork#lace have a uty to manage electrical
risks at the %ork#lace %hile electrical %ork is being carrie out& not *ust those carrying out the
electrical %ork"
8lectrical %ork %ill often be carrie out at a #lace that is not uner the management or control of
the #erson conucting the business or unertaking carrying out the electrical %ork" 6or e9am#le&
the #lace %here %ork is carrie out may be uner the management or control of:
if the #lace is a #ermanent %ork#laceDthe #erson conucting a business or unertaking from that
%ork#lace
if the #lace is a #ublic #laceDthe relevant local or state authority"
'hese #ersons %ill also have uties in relation to the health an safety of the electrical %orkerBsC
an other #ersons at the #lace %here the electrical %ork is being carrie out"
All uty holers must& so far as is reasonably #racticable& consult& coo#erate an coorinate
activities %ith each other to ensure com#liance %ith their %ork health an safety uties"
In aition to the general uty to consult& the #erson conucting a business or unertaking carrying
out the electrical %ork must ensure the electrical %ork is only authorise Bamong other thingsC after
consulting %ith the #erson %ith management or control of the %ork#lace"
$onsultation shoul ensure that all relevant #ersons are a%are of any scheule electrical %ork to
be carrie out an also any relevant risks to health an safety arising from that %ork"
Arrangements shoul also be #ut in #lace to ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that all
#ersons at the #lace receive suitable an ae?uate information an instruction& for e9am#le about
the nee to com#ly %ith %arning or safety signs an stay out of any no go @ones"
Page 20 of 00 <(L= 2012
Residential premises
Iccu#iers of resiential #remises Bas a #erson at a %ork#laceC must take reasonable care that
their acts or omissions o not aversely affect the health or safety of other #ersons& incluing that
of electrical %orkers at their #remises"
1.2( Carr)in% o$t ener%ised eectrica 5or"
R+ ,2, A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure that electrical %ork carrie out
on energise electrical e?ui#ment is carrie out:
by a com#etent #erson %ho has tools& testing e?ui#ment an PP8 that are suitable for the %ork&
have been #ro#erly teste an are maintaine in goo %orking orer
in accorance %ith a safe %ork metho statement #re#are for the %ork& an
sub*ect to the e9ce#tion e9#laine belo%D%ith a safety observer #resent %ho is com#etent:
/ to im#lement the control measures in an emergency
/ to rescue the %orker %ho is carrying out the %ork if necessary& an
/ has been assesse in the #revious 12 months as com#etent to rescue an resuscitate
a #erson"
A safety observer is not re?uire if the %ork consists only of testing an the risk assessment sho%s
there is no serious risk associate %ith the #ro#ose %ork"
'he #erson must ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that the #erson %ho carries out the
electrical %ork uses the tools& testing e?ui#ment an PP8 #ro#erly"
Aitionally:
%orkers carrying out the electrical %ork must have or be #rovie %ith suitable an ae?uate
information& instruction an training in:
#lanning an #re#aration re?uirements for the carrying out of energise electrical %ork
safe %ork #roceures& #articularly those ocumente in safe %ork metho statements
#ro#er use of the relevant tools& testing e?ui#ment an PP8
first ai facilities must be #rovie at the %ork#lace an they must be reaily accessible
emergency contact numbers shoul be mae available at the %ork#lace
fire fighting e?ui#ment that is suitable for electrical fires shoul be accessible
the #erson %ith management or control of the %ork#lace must be consulte before the electrical
%ork is authorise
energise conuctors shoul be insulate %here necessary to #revent inavertent contact or
flashovers
unauthorise #ersons shoul be #revente from entering the %ork area& for e9am#le through the
use of barriers an signage"
Lany of these re?uirements re?uire consultation& coo#eration an coorination bet%een multi#le
uty holers at the %ork#lace"
Safe %ork metho statements #re#are for energise electrical %ork must escribe consultation
arrangements %ith the #erson %ith management or control of the %ork#lace& incluing any
authorisation #roceures an #osition escri#tions"
-afe work method statements
Safe %ork metho statements ocument a #rocess for ientifying an controlling health an safety
ha@ars an risks" 'hey may also incor#orate a risk assessment"
Page 2- of 00 <(L= 2012
Safe %ork metho statements must be evelo#e in consultation %ith relevant %orkers" If the
%orkers are re#resente by a health an safety re#resentative& the consultation must involve that
re#resentative"
Safe %ork metho statements must:
ientify the electrical %ork
s#ecify the ha@ars associate %ith that electrical %ork an risks associate %ith those
ha@ars
escribe the measures to be im#lemente to control the risks
escribe ho% the risk control measures are to be im#lemente& monitore an revie%e&
an may inclue the risk assessment #re#are for the relevant %ork"
Safe %ork metho statements must be %ritten in a %ay that makes them reaily unerstanable by
the %orkers %ho are to use them"
A co#y must be reaily accessible to any %orker %ho is to carry out the electrical %ork covere by
the statement"
Safe %ork metho statements must be ke#t u#/to/ate" 'hey must& for e9am#le& be revise if a
ecision is mae to change relevant safe %ork #roceures at the %ork#lace"
A##eni9 5 to this $oe inclues a #reventative actions checklist that may hel# you to ientify
ha@ars associate %ith electrical %ork an evelo# safe %ork methos"
If the electrical %ork falls %ithin the escri#tion of Ghigh risk construction %ork) then the construction
regulations in the WES Regulations %ill also a##ly" 6or more information see the !ode of "ractice#
!onstruction Work*
Record keeping requirements
R+ ,2> A #erson conucting a business or unertaking carrying out electrical %ork must kee#:
a co#y of the risk assessment until at least 2. ays after the %ork to %hich it relates is com#lete&
an
a co#y of the safe %ork metho statement until the %ork to %hich it relates is com#lete"
If a Gnotifiable incient) uner Part 2 of the WES Act occurs in connection %ith the %ork to %hich
the assessment or statement relates& the #erson must kee# the assessment or statement Bas the
case re?uiresC for at least t%o years after the incient occurs"
Ha.ards indirectly caused "y electricityconductive materials
Persons can be e9#ose to electrical risks& incluing risks of electric shock& arcing an e9#losion&
%ithout irectly contacting e9#ose energise #arts of electrical e?ui#ment" Ither conuctive
materials can #rovie current #aths for the electric shock& fault current or both"
All materials shoul be regare as conuctive unless #rove other%ise" Gases an li?uis shoul
be regare as conuctive" Particular care shoul be taken %hen e9#ose energise #arts are
near earthe situations"
'he electric shock #ath to earth can be via conuctive materials& such as concrete& timber %ith a
high moisture content or %ater" 6or e9am#le& laers that are am# or irty may become
conuctive an create a #otential ha@ar"
When %orking near e9#ose energise #arts or %orking energise& the tools an e?ui#ment use
shoul be non/conuctive or insulate" 89am#les inclue:
torches
telesco#ic evices
Page 2. of 00 <(L= 2012
rulers an ta#e measures
insulate han tools& for e9am#le scre%rivers& #liers& cable cutters& s#anners an crim#ers
electrical or hyraulic #o%ere tools"
Letallic #ersonal items incluing %atches an %atchbans shoul not be %orn by %orkers carrying
out %ork near e9#ose energise #arts" Letal ob*ects %orn on or close to the boy increase the
risk of electric shock" Aitionally& electrical burns can be more serious because these ob*ects
retain heat an #rovie contact #oints for current to flo%"
89am#les of metallic #ersonal items inclue *e%ellery& boy #iercings an metal s#ectacle frames"
*ools and equipment
All %orkers shoul be com#etent in the safe use of their tools an e?ui#ment Bincluing PP8C" 6or
more information about maintaining an ins#ecting tools an e?ui#ment& incluing testing an fault
fining instruments& see Section of this $oe"
ork position
8lectrical %ork shoul be carrie out from a #osition that minimises the risk of inavertent contact
%ith e9#ose energise #arts an also the risk of an electric shock #ath being create" 6or
e9am#le& safe %ork metho statements shoul re?uire& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that
electrical %orkers #osition themselves so that:
an involuntary action like snee@ing %oul not cause them to touch e9#ose energise #arts
no electric shock #ath can be create ue to %orking in an a%k%ar #osition& for e9am#le testing
com#onents to%ars the rear of a %ashing machine via the front #anel
no electric shock #ath can be create %hen carrying out #hase se?uencing or rotation testing on
overhea mains or at an unergroun #illar"
-afety o"servers
A com#etent safety observer must be #resent %hen %ork is carrie out on energise electrical
e?ui#ment& unless the %ork consists only of testing an a risk assessment sho%s that there is no
serious risk associate %ith the #ro#ose %ork"
'he role of the safety observer shoul be clearly communicate an unerstoo" 'he safety
observer must:
be com#etent to im#lement the control measures in an emergency
be com#etent to rescue the %orker %ho is carrying out the %ork if necessary& an must have been
assesse in the #revious 12 months as com#etent to rescue an resuscitate a #erson"
'he safety observer shoul:
not carry out any other %ork or function that com#romises their role& for e9am#le they shoul not
be re?uire to observe more than one task at a time
not be situate in the %ork basket of the elevating %ork #latform from %hich the electrical %ork is
being carrie out
be able to communicate ?uickly an effectively %ith the electrical %orkerBsC carrying out the %ork"
S#ecialist e?ui#ment may be necessary if there is a barrier to communication
not have any kno%n tem#orary or #ermanent isabilities that %oul aversely affect their role an
#erformance"
-afety "arriers and signs
+arriers an signs may be esigne& erecte or installe to:
#rotect electrical %orkers from inavertently contacting energise e9#ose #arts
Page 2! of 00 <(L= 2012
ensure that access to an egress from the %ork location of live %ork allo%s for clear& unobstructe
#assage
%arn others an irect #eo#le a%ay from angerous %ork areas"
5ifferent kins of safety barriers may be re?uire for ifferent #ur#oses" 6or e9am#le:
to #rotect electrical %orkers from inavertently contacting energise e9#ose #artsDa #hysical
safety barrier shoul consist of a non/conuctive material such as %oo or #lastic or& alternatively&
correctly earthe steel an be strong enough to %ithstan the im#act from falling ob*ects or loose
material
to e9clue #ersons generally from a %ork area %here there is a risk of energise e9#ose #artsD
secure housings& enclosures& oors an room may #rovie a##ro#riate safety barriers"
A risk assessment shoul be carrie out by a com#etent #erson to avise on %hether a barrier is
a##ro#riate to aress the relevant risks an& if so& a##ro#riate esign an correct materials"
'he barrier must be erecte safely" 'his may re?uire s%itching off or isolating the electricity su##ly
%hile the barrier is installe"
A barrier may be tem#orary or #ermanent an& if a##licable& shoul clearly esignate the safe %ork
area by efining the a##roach #ath to the relevant #iece of e?ui#ment"
/mergency planning
R -/ An emergency #lan for the %ork#lace must be #re#are& maintaine an im#lemente at the
%ork#lace"
6or this #ur#ose& you must consier all relevant matters& incluing the follo%ing:
the nature of the %ork being carrie out at the %ork#lace
the nature of the ha@ars at the %ork#lace
the si@e an location of the %ork#lace
the number an com#osition of the %orkers an other #ersons at the %ork#lace"
Muick action after an electrical incient that causes in*ury can save a life or significantly reuce the
severity of the in*ury" 8ven if an electrical incient oes not a##ear to have cause in*ury at the
time& there may be some elaye effects"
Any #erson %ho is involve in an electrical incient involving an electric shock shoul receive
meical attention"
Incients that e9#ose a %orker or any other #erson to a serious risk from an electric shock must be
notifie to the regulator an may also be notifiable se#arately to an electrical safety regulator"
A %ell/#re#are emergency res#onse assists in managing the severity of the in*ury %here an
incient has occurre an takes into account the health an safety of those re?uire to res#on to
the incient" 6or e9am#le& in an e9#ose energise high voltage situation& the electricity su##ly
shoul be isolate an #rove e/energise before carrying out a rescue"
S#ecial consieration must also be given in relation to other higher/risk %ork#laces incluing
confine s#aces& %orking at heights Be"g" elevating %ork #latformsC& %ork#laces %ith ha@arous
atmos#heres %hich #resent a risk to health or safety from fire or e9#losion& an trenches& shafts
an tunnels"
1.27 Leavin% $nfinis!ed 5or"
Refer to Section 1"22 of this $oe"
1.2! Partic$ar ener%ised eectrica 5or"?testin% and fa$t findin%
!e-energised testing methods should "e used "efore energised testing methods
Page 10 of 00 <(L= 2012
6ault fining shoul first be attem#te in a e/energise environment using e/energise testing
methos" If unsuccessful& energise testing methos may be use sub*ect to meeting the
re?uirements of the WES Regulations an this $oe for %orking energise"
Planning and preparation, etc0
+efore commencing any testing or fault fining in an energise environment:
ientify e9#ose conuctive #arts that coul become energise %hile using test instruments
use tem#orary or fi9e barriers to #revent electrical %orkers from inavertently contacting e9#ose
conuctive #arts
use only a##ro#riate insulate an rate tools& test instruments an test #robes
carry out checks to ensure that the test instruments to be use are a##ro#riate an functioning
correctly
use only a##ro#riately rate PP8
use a safety observer& if re?uire by the risk assessment conucte for the %ork
ensure that only authorise #ersons may enter the immeiate area %here the %ork is to be carrie
out
carry out a regular revie% of the %ork situation to ensure that no ne% ha@ars are create uring
the #rocess"
When testing or fault fining is com#lete& circuits an e?ui#ment must be restore to a safe
conition" 6or e9am#le& isconnecte conuctors shoul be reconnecte an left in a safe state&
covers re#lace& an accessories an e?ui#ment #ro#erly secure"
Proceures involving coorination& such as #roceures relate to s%itching circuits or e?ui#ment
on an off uring the fault fining or testing #rocess& must be im#lemente an maintaine at all
times"
-afe work proceduresha.ardous atmospheres
See AS;,FS 2000:200- for guiance on electrical testing an fault fining in ha@arous
atmos#heres that #resent a risk to health an safety from fire or e9#losion"
Page 11 of 00 <(L= 2012
RISK CONTROLS WORKING NEAR ENERGISED ELECTRICAL PARTS
8lectrical %ork on any installation& e?ui#ment& machinery& #lant or a##liance may #ose a risk of
irect or inirect contact %ith nearby e9#ose energise electrical #arts Be"g" installing or testing
circuits on a s%itchboar a*acent to e9#ose live electrical #artsC"
In some circumstances the risks associate %ith unertaking electrical %ork near e9#ose live
#arts can be e?uivalent to those associate %ith live electrical %ork" Risks to be consiere& but
not limite to& are those arising from:
energise #arts
e9#ose high tem#erature #arts
moisture entering the electrical e?ui#ment"
Ientifying an assessing the risks an evelo#ing risk control measures as escribe in the !ode
of "ractice# Ho( to )anage Work Health and Safety Risks %ill #rovie further assistance in
evelo#ing safe %ork #ractices"
1.2' Pannin% and &re&aration
If there is a safety risk associate %ith %orking near energise electrical #arts a %ritten risk
assessment shoul then be mae to hel# etermine the risk level an ecie on a##ro#riate risk
control measures" Risks inclue:
electric shock if e9#ose energise #arts are touche
e9#losion& for e9am#le if a metal tool is ro##e onto bus bars causing a short circuit
e9#ose high/tem#erature #arts causing burns to bare skin
electrical fires inuce& for e9am#le& by allo%ing moisture or ust to enter electrical e?ui#ment"
'he follo%ing factors may be taken into account in assessing risks:
ty#e of %ork carrie out an tools or e?ui#ment use
#ro9imity of the %ork to energise #arts
the ty#es of tools an e?ui#ment use in the %ork& for e9am#le the conuctive #ro#erties of tools
environmental conitions such as confine s#ace& %et surfaces or unfavourable %eather
assessing the nee to re#air e?ui#ment %hile it remains energise& for e9am#le cleaning a lo%
voltage s%itch room
%ork that may im#ose aitional risks& for e9am#le %eling or grining that coul amage a*acent
electrical lines or e?ui#ment"
1.#$ Wor"in% near ener%ised eectrica &arts
=ou must %ork through the hierarchy of controls to choose the control that most effectively
eliminates or minimises the risk of %orking near energise electrical #arts& so far as is reasonably
#racticable" 'his may involve a single control measure or a combination of t%o or more ifferent
controls"
(ner the WES Regulations substitution& isolation an engineering controls are ranke at the
same level of #rotection& ahea of aministrative controls an then PP8"
Elimination
'he most effective control measure is to remove the ha@ar or ha@arous %ork #ractice" 'his coul
mean electrically isolating the nearby electrical e?ui#ment or installation before starting %ork"
When isconnecting the installation or e?ui#ment from su##ly& a metho shoul be a##lie to
ensure the e?ui#ment is not reconnecte %hile the %ork is carrie out" 6or e9am#le& you coul
#lace the #lug in a lockable enclosure" If e?ui#ment is connecte to su##ly by fi9e %iring& use
other suitable means of isolation as iscusse else%here in this $oe" 'he isolation #rocess
shoul be clearly ocumente so that everyone involve kno%s e9actly %hat to o"
Page 12 of 00 <(L= 2012
Reesigning e?ui#ment or %ork #rocesses coul involve esigning an installing e?ui#ment that
oes not have energise #arts near the %ork area"
Su,stitution
Re#lacing a ha@arous #rocess or material %ith one that is less ha@arous %ill reuce the ha@ar&
an hence the risk A for e9am#le re#lacing instea of re#airing a faulty #art" 'his coul mean
shorter o%ntime an not having to %ork live& lessening or eliminating the risk of e9#osure"
Isolation
=ou may be able to isolate the risk& for e9am#le by erecting a #hysical barrier to #revent any
contact %ith electrical risk& irectly or inirectly" A #hysical barrier shoul consist of a non/
conuctive material such as %oo or #lastic or& alternatively& correctly earthe metal& an be strong
enough to %ithstan any im#act from falling ob*ects or loose materials" +efore any barriers are
erecte& a risk assessment must be carrie out by a com#etent #erson to ensure the a##ro#riate
esign an correct materials are use" 'he barrier must be erecte safely" 'his may re?uire
isolating the electricity su##ly %hile the barrier is installe"
Engineering controls
6or e9am#le& installing resiual current evices to #revent electric shock"
Administrative controls
Aministrative controls involve the use of safe %ork #ractices to control the risk& for e9am#le the
#rovision of suitable an ae?uate training& establishing e9clusion @ones& an use of #ermits an
%arning signs"
"ersonal protective e-uipment .""E/
PP8 inclues #rotective eye%ear& insulate gloves& har hats& a#rons an breathing #rotection"
'he PP8 shoul be rate for the %ork to be one" If %orking on or near energise e?ui#ment& the
PP8 must be able to #rotect the user from the ma9imum #ros#ective energy available at the %ork
site"
1.#1 Im&ementin% ris" contro meas$res
In im#lementing risk controls& you may evelo# a safe %ork metho statement that:
s#ecifies the etermine risk controls
sets out the ste#s that nee to be taken to im#lement the risk controls
ientifies an allocates the resources necessary to im#lement the measures Bi"e" time an
e9#ensesC
allocates res#onsibilities an accountabilities Be"g" %ho oes %hat an %henC
sets a ate for revie%ing the risk controls"
A safe %ork metho statement must be #re#are for construction %ork that is carrie out on or
near energise electrical installations or services" 6urther information about these re?uirements is
available in the !ode of "ractice# !onstruction Work"
1.#2 Revie5in% ris" contro meas$res
See Section 1"- of this $oe"
Page 12 of 00 <(L= 2012
TOOLS AND E%UIPMENT
1.## Ins&ection and testin%
'ools& instruments an e?ui#ment that are #oorly maintaine& ina##ro#riately use or not fit for
#ur#ose can cause in*uries& for e9am#le:
inae?uately insulate tools an test instruments
incorrectly rate instruments"
(nrestraine tools may fall into energise s%itchboars an com#romise the integrity Bincluing
safetyC of the e?ui#ment" 'he use of lanyars aroun %rists& tool holers an restraints such as
tool #ouches an baskets may be use to aress these risks"
'he tools& instruments an e?ui#ment use by electrical %orkers often have s#ecial esign
characteristics& for e9am#le many are insulate" Inae?uate maintenance may lea to serious
electrical risks& for e9am#le insulating meium might conceal a mechanical efect that coul cause
an o#en circuit in a testing evice"
Insulate tools an e?ui#ment must be suitable for the %ork an be maintaine in goo %orking
orer& incluing by regular maintenance& ins#ection an testing" Where any oubt e9ists that the
insulation of tools an e?ui#ment might not be ae?uate they shoul not be use"
Laintenance an ins#ection shoul be carrie out accoring to manufacturer)s instructions"
1.#4 Ladders( scaffods and simiar e*$i&ment
$ertain laers& scaffols an similar e?ui#ment may #ose electrical risks incluing:
metallic or %ire reinforce laers an scaffols are conuctive an may create an electric shock
#ath& for e9am#le:
a laer sli##ing %hile %ork is being carrie out on it& causing the %orker on the laer to touch
e9#ose energise #arts& for e9am#le grabbing a mains bo9
a gust of %in blo%ing an e9tension laer into nearby overhea #o%er lines
in s%itchrooms an s%itchyarsDconuctive evices such as aluminium laers an scaffols
creating electric shock #aths an current #aths to earth& for e9am#le a metal %ire reinforce laer
causing a fault to groun if the laer touches a live 22 kH busbar
%hen using laers& scaffols an similar e?ui#ment& %orkers are more likely to touch o#en %iring
such as overhea lines
in cases %here lines are carrying large currents& conuctive scaffols may become sub*ect to
inuction
#ortable scaffols may amage insulation %hen move if the scaffol strikes conuctors or leas"
$onsieration shoul be given to eliminating the use of metallic& %ire reinforce or other%ise
conuctive laersK these items shoul not be use in close #ro9imity to e?ui#ment %here an
electrical ha@ar may result from their use" 'hese ty#es of laers shoul be avoie for any kin
of electrical %ork"
Ither effective risk control measures may inclue:
ientifying if there are e9#ose energise #arts nearby" In this situation& risk control measures such
as e/energising& fitting covers& using a safety observer& or a combination of these& shoul be
consiere
em#loying safe %ork #ractices& incluing:
t%o or more #eo#le carrying long evices in s%itchyars an s%itchrooms in a #osition belo%
shouler height
t%o #eo#le hanling e9tension laers in %iny conitions
Page 11 of 00 <(L= 2012
restraining laers using hea ro#es or footro#es& or both
if #racticableDusing a #latform/style ste# laer
if conuctive scaffoling is use %ithin high/voltage enclosures or in situations %here there is
inuction& boning the structure to the earthing system" 5e#ening on the construction of the
scaffol& a number of sections may nee to be bone to ensure an e?ui#otential state"
1.#5 Ins$atin% barriers and ins$atin% mats
Insulating covers an mats use for electrical safety #ur#oses shoul com#ly %ith AS;,FS
2!-.:1!!3 Insulating mats for electrical purposes"
Insulate barriers shoul be of suitable material to effectively se#arate electrical %orkers from
a*acent energise e?ui#ment"
Insulate covers an mats shoul be visually ins#ecte for #ossible efects before an after each
use"
1.#( Test instr$ments
'he tools& testing e?ui#ment an PP8 for testing an fault fining must be suitable for the %ork&
#ro#erly teste an maintaine in goo %orking orer"
Workers carrying out electrical testing must be a##ro#riately traine an com#etent in test
#roceures an in the use of testing instruments an e?ui#ment& incluing:
being able to use the evice safely an in the manner for %hich it %as intene
being able to etermine& by ins#ection& that the evice is safe for use& for e9am#le the evice is not
amage an is fit for #ur#ose
unerstaning the limitations of the e?ui#ment& for e9am#le %hen testing to #rove an alternating
current circuit is e/energise& %hether the evice inicates the #resence of ha@arous levels of
irect current
being a%are of the electrical safety im#lications for others %hen the evice is being use& for
e9am#le %hether the evice causes the electric #otential of the earthing system to rise to a
ha@arous level
kno%ing %hat to o to ensure electrical safety %hen an inconclusive or incorrect result is obtaine"
Checks carried out on test instruments
'est instruments that are to be use or connecte to electrical e?ui#ment shoul meet the
follo%ing conitions:
be suitable for the %ork in terms of their function& o#erating range an accuracy
be in goo conition an %orking orer& clean an have no cracke or broken insulation" Particular
care must be taken regaring the conition of the insulation on leas& #robes an cli#s of test
e?ui#ment
#ose no anger of electrocution to %orkers or amage to the electrical e?ui#ment uring testing
have suitably insulate leas an connection #robes that enable connection or contact %ith
energise #arts to be mae %ith minimal risk to the electrical %orker
#rovie suitable #rotection against ha@ars arising from over/voltages that may arise from or
uring the testing or measurement #rocess"
Page 13 of 00 <(L= 2012
AS 01010"1:2002 Safety Re-uirements for Electrical E-uipment for )easurement+ !ontrol and
3a,oratory 6se 1 General re-uirements #rovies a classification for instruments on the basis of
their immunity to over/voltage& %hich is liable to be e9#erience in ifferent #arts of electrical
e?ui#ment" 5evices shoul be rate as $ategory III or IH to enable their use on all #arts of the
e?ui#ment"
'est #robes an other e?ui#ment shoul be esigne an selecte so that they cannot
inavertently short circuit bet%een live conuctors or live conuctors an earth" 'he terminals of
test e?ui#ment shoul be shroue an all other test sockets on measuring instruments shoul be
esigne so as to #revent inavertent contact %ith any live test socket or conuctor %hen
e?ui#ment is in use" Where a##ro#riate& test leas an testing evices nee to be #rovie %ith
suitable fuse #rotection" 'esting e?ui#ment& %here use in ha@arous flammable areas& shoul be
esigne an clearly marke as being suitable for use in these conitions"
'esting e?ui#ment use for etecting an energise source shoul be trialle first to #rove that it is
functioning correctly immeiately before an after the test has taken #lace" 'he stanar test
regime is to test a kno%n source of energy& test the e/energise circuit for @ero volts then test the
kno%n source again" A faulty inicator %ill al%ays rea @ero so must be #rove before an after
the test"
Pro'imity voltage testers
'o confirm a #ositive inication an to establish the circuit voltage& the use of an alternative test
instrument that incor#orates a visual is#lay shoul be use before commencing electrical %ork on
the e?ui#ment"
'esters for etecting an electric fiel surrouning an energise conuctor may not be suitable for
testing cables that are surroune by a metallic screen& enclose in a metallic #i#e or uct& or
cables carrying irect current an in some other circumstances"
Pro9imity voltage testers are not reliable in #roving e/energise an shoul only be treate as an
inicator" Pro9imity voltage testers shoul be teste for correct o#erations immeiately before use
an again immeiately after use& #articularly if the test result inicates @ero voltage& to confirm that
the instrument is still %orking correctly"
1.#7 Persona &rotective e*$i&ment :PPE;
PP8 for electrical %ork& incluing testing an fault fining& must be suitable for the %ork& #ro#erly
teste an maintaine in goo %orking orer" 'he PP8 must be able to %ithstan the energy at the
#oint of %ork %hen %orking energise"
'raining must be #rovie in ho% to select an fit the correct ty#e of e?ui#ment& as %ell as training
on the use an care of the e?ui#ment so that it %orks effectively"
5e#ening on the ty#e of %ork an the risks involve& the follo%ing PP8 shoul be consiere:
7ace "rotectionDuse of a suitably arc rate full face shiel may be a##ro#riate %hen %orking
%here there is #otential for high current an arcing"
Eye "rotectionDmetal s#ectacle frames shoul not be %orn"
GlovesDuse gloves insulate to the highest #otential voltage e9#ecte for the %ork being
unertaken" Leather %ork gloves may be consiere for e/energise electrical %ork"
!lothingDuse non/synthetic clothing of non/fusible material an flame resistant" $lothing mae
from conuctive material or containing metal threas shoul not be %orn"
7oot(earDuse non/conuctive foot%ear& for e9am#le steel toe ca##e boots or shoes
manufacture to a suitable stanar"
Safety 8elt9HarnessDsafety belts an harnesses shoul be checke an ins#ecte each time
before use %ith #articular attention being #ai to buckles& rings& hooks& cli#s an %ebbing"
Page 10 of 00 <(L= 2012
1.#! <irst Aid
All %ork#laces must ensure the #rovision of first ai for the %ork#lace& that each %orker at the
%ork#lace has access to the e?ui#ment an access to the facilities for the aministration of first
ai"
All %ork#laces must ensure that an ae?uate number of %orkers are traine to aminister first ai
at the %ork#lace or %orkers have access to an ae?uate number of other #ersons %ho have been
traine to aminister first ai"
S#ecial re?uirements for safety observers a##ly in relation to certain energise electrical %ork" See
Section 1"20 of this $oe"
6or further guiance on ho% to #rovie first ai refer to the !ode of "ractice# 7irst Aid in the
Workplace"
Page 1- of 00 <(L= 2012
HIGH "OLTAGE ELECTRICAL WORK
Re?uirements for electrical %ork on high voltage e?ui#ment after s%itching& isolation& short
circuiting an earthing are s#ecialise re?uirements" Inly com#etent electrical %orkers %ho have
receive a##ro#riate training in high voltage electrical %ork are #ermitte to %ork on high/voltage
electrical e?ui#ment"
6or more information you shoul seek further avice about %orking on or near high/voltage
electrical installations from a s#ecialist electrical contractor or the local electricity su##ly authority"
1dditional risks associated with high voltage
'he electrical risks an conse?uences of an electrical incient involving high voltage may be
significantly higher than lo% voltage" (ner fault conitions& the higher voltages B#otentialsC an
fault current levels release massive ?uantities of energy" 'hese risks must be effectively manage"
Planning for high voltage installation work
Persons conucting a business or unertaking %ho have a high voltage electrical installation
shoul #re#are an Installation Safety Lanagement Plan for their %ork#lace" 'he #lan shoul
aress the risks associate %ith the o#eration an maintenance of the high voltage installation"
'his may inclue:
a single line iagram for the installation& sho%ing all s%itches an circuit breakers an their
ientifying labels or numbers
site/s#ecific o#erating rules covering all as#ects of o#erating the high voltage installation& incluing
#roceures for arranging isolation of the installation from the local electricity net%ork
#roceures for ientifying ha@arous areas incluing any confine s#aces associate %ith the
installation
com#etency re?uirements for #ersons %ho may be #ermitte to o#erate or %ork on the high
voltage installation& incluing a##ro#riate re?uirements for re/training& re/testing an re/
accreitation
inuction #roceures for ne% contractors
regular ins#ection an maintenance #rograms to ensure the installation remains serviceable an
safe
#roceures for ensuring there is no e9tension or alteration of the installation %ithout #ermission
from the local electricity su##ly authority
#roceures for the safe hanling of insulating oils an other substances that may be re?uire for
maintenance or re#air
#roceures incluing %arning signs for ensuring that all #arts of the high voltage installation Be"g"
unergroun cables an high voltage overhea #o%er linesC are not amage by heavy vehicles or
other mobile #lant& for e9am#le mobile cranes"
Page 1. of 00 <(L= 2012
APPENDI& A MEANING OF KEY TERMS
Competent person means:
for electrical %ork on energise electrical e?ui#ment or energise electrical installations Bother than
testing referre to in Regulations 130 an 103C& a license or registere electrician or any other
#erson #ermitte to carry out or su#ervise electrical %ork uner relevant State or territory
legislation Be"g" electrical engineer& electrical a##renticeC
for any other case& a #erson %ho has ac?uire through training& ?ualification or e9#erience an the
kno%lege an skills to carry out the task"
!e-energised means se#arate from all sources of su##ly but not necessarily isolate& earthe&
ischarge or out of commission"
/lectrical equipment means any a##aratus& a##liance& cable& conuctor& fitting& insulator&
material& meter or %ire that:
is use for controlling& generating& su##lying& transforming or transmitting electricity at a voltage
greater than e9tra/lo% voltage
is o#erate by electricity at a voltage greater than e9tra/lo% voltage
is #art of an electrical installation locate in an area in %hich the atmos#here #resents a risk to
health an safety from fire or e9#losion& or
is& or is #art of& an active im#resse current cathoic #rotection system %ithin the meaning of AS
2.22"1:2001"
8lectrical e?ui#ment oes not inclue any a##aratus& a##liance& cable& conuctor& fitting& insulator&
material& meter or %ire that is #art of a motor car or motorcycle if:
the e?ui#ment is #art of a unit of the vehicle that #rovies #ro#ulsion for the vehicle
the electricity source for the e?ui#ment is a unit of the vehicle that #rovies #ro#ulsion for the
vehicle"
/lectrical installation means a grou# of items of electrical e?ui#ment that:
are #ermanently electrically connecte together
can be su##lie %ith electricity from the %orks of an electricity su##ly authority or from a
generating source"
/nergised %live) means connecte to a source of electrical su##ly or sub*ect to ha@arous inuce
or ca#acitive voltages"
Isolated means isconnecte from all #ossible sources of electricity su##ly an renere
inca#able of being mae energise %ithout #remeitate an eliberate action"
Residual current device %RC!) means a evice intene to isolate su##ly to #rotecte circuits&
socket outlets or electrical e?ui#ment in the event of a current flo% to earth that e9cees a
#reetermine value" 'he R$5 may be fi9e or #ortable"
-ocket outlet is a evice for etachably connecting electrically o#erate e?ui#ment to a #o%er
su##ly" 'he term Gsocket outlet) inclues a cor/e9tension socket attache to a fle9ible cor that is
#ermanently connecte to installation %iring"
2oltage
/'tra low voltage means voltage that oes not e9cee 30 volts alternating current B30 H a"c"C or
120 volts ri##le/free irect current B120 H ri##le/free "c"C"
+ow voltage means voltage that e9cees e9tra/lo% voltage an oes not e9cee 1000 volts
alternating current B1000 H a"c"C or 1300 volts irect current B1300 H "c"C"
High voltage means voltage that e9cees lo% voltage"
Page 1! of 00 <(L= 2012
APPENDI& B AD"ANTAGES AND DISAD"ANTAGES OF NONPORTABLE AND
PORTABLE RCDS
Non0&ortabe RC's ,on/#ortable Bor Gfi9e)C R$5s are installe at either the s%itchboar
or a fi9e socket outlet"
Non0&ortabe RC's
instaed at t!e main
s5itc!board
,on/#ortable R$5s %ill #rotect all the %iring an electrical e?ui#ment
#lugge into the relevant circuitBsC"
Avantages #rovie #ermanent an secure #rotection against electrical faults&
incluing #rotection against fi9e/%iring faults as %ell as electrical
e?ui#ment faults
are more secure as they are usually inaccessible e9ce#t to any
#erson %ho hols the key to the s%itchboar
may be cost/effective if the e9isting s%itchboar can acce#t the
installation %ithout ma*or moification an R$5 #rotection is re?uire
on circuits su##lie from the main s%itchboar
are usually aa#table as these R$5s can be installe in ne%&
moifie or e9isting electrical installations"
5isavantages a fault in one #iece of e?ui#ment may unnecessarily shut o%n entire
o#erations" In some cases this coul create greater risks associate
%ith uncontrolle cessation of a %ork #rocess
fault etection an isolation may be com#le9 because the R$5
#rotects all sockets #ast the #oint %here it is installe an may be
tri##e at any #oint
installation may be costly if the #re/e9isting s%itchboar re?uires
moification"
Non0&ortabe RC's
instaed at a soc"et
o$tet
'hese non/#ortable R$5s are installe at selecte locations an
#rovie #rotection to electrical e?ui#ment #lugge into the outlet"
Socket outlets #rotecte by non/#ortable R$5s shoul be labelle&
for e9am#le by stating GR$5 Protecte) or similar" 'his %ill inicate to
the #erson using the socket outlet that a non/#ortable R$5 is fitte"
Avantages #rotection against electrical shock is #ermanent
suitable for areas %here the %ork environment is use in many
ifferent %ays or ifficult to control& incluing #ublic #laces
reaily accessible for testing an re/setting" 'his can be a safe an
cost/effective alternative if the s%itchboar o#tion is not reasonably
#ractical
aa#table& as these R$5s can be installe at any fi9e socket outlet
%here the electrical e?ui#ment re?uiring R$5 #rotection is use
#otentially the most cost/effective o#tion because it is #ermanent&
#rotects everything #lugge into it an is easily ientifie by the user"
5isavantages fi9e/%iring #rotection only a##lies to %iring #ast that socket on the
circuit
fault etection an isolation might be com#licate as the R$5 may be
tri##e by a fault at any #oint #ast the R$5 on the circuit
amage to the socket outlet %ill re?uire the R$5 to be re#lace"
Page 30 of 00 <(L= 2012
Reevant considerations
in decidin% bet5een
o&tions for non0&ortabe
devices
In eciing bet%een o#tions for non/#ortable R$5s& you shoul
consier the si@e of the builing or site& its use& an any #lans to
refurbish& refit or re%ire the builing"
It may be safer an more cost/effective to ensure all circuits are
#rotecte by one or more R$5s rather than selectively install
iniviual R$5s at some socket outlets to accommoate your current
%ork#lace nees& %hich may change"
If you install ne% circuits or moify #re/e9isting circuits you must
#rotect those circuits %ith an R$5 consistent %ith
AS;,FS 2000:200-& %hich is sub*ect to some e9em#tions"
Portabe RC's 'hese R$5s #rotect the electrical e?ui#ment that is #lugge into
them"
In some circumstances the most a##ro#riate R$5s may be #ortable
R$5s& #articularly to #rotect mobile %orkers that o not have fi9e
#laces of %ork an %hose P$+( may have little control over
electrical installations %here they %ork"
Workers using han/hel or #ortable electrical e?ui#ment shoul be
avise as to %hether the outlets they use are ae?uately #rotecte
by R$5s" If in oubt you shoul ensure that #ortable R$5s are
#rovie to these %orkers an take all reasonable ste#s to ensure
they are use"
'he use of a #ortable R$5 in a circuit alreay #rotecte by a non/
#ortable R$5 has no etrimental effect on the o#eration of either
R$5"
Portabe RC's?&ortabe
&$% t)&e
Portable #lug/ty#e R$5s can be #lugge into a socket outlet to
#rotect a single #iece of e?ui#ment"
'hey can be incor#orate into a #o%er cable or can be the R$5 unit
alone& %ithout a cor"
Avantages #rovie R$5 #rotection for electrical e?ui#ment use in %ork#laces
%here users may be unsure as to %hether there is R$5 #rotection
can be allocate to users rather than to all electrical e?ui#ment
can be #lugge into e9isting installations %here the electrical
e?ui#ment re?uiring #rotection is to be use"
5isavantages #rovie no #rotection from faults in fi9e/%iring
may be sub*ect to abuse so fre?uent testing is re?uire
if not incor#orate into a single a##liance)s #o%er cor& %ill re?uire
aitional aministrative controls to ensure that %orkers use them
may be very ifficult to test if #lug/ty#e R$5s are installe irectly
onto electrical e?ui#ment connection cors" 6or this reason they are
not generally recommene"
Portabe RC's?&ortabe
stand0aone $nit
Portable stan/alone units are R$5s incor#orate into a #o%er
boar" 'hey #rovie multi#le #rotecte socket outlets an can #rovie
R$5 #rotection to multi#le items of electrical e?ui#ment from one
#o%er boar"
Page 31 of 00 <(L= 2012
Avantages #rovie R$5 #rotection for electrical e?ui#ment use in %ork#laces
%here users may be unsure as to %hether there is R$5 #rotection
can be allocate to users rather than to all electrical e?ui#ment
#rovie a number of #rotecte socket outlets from the one R$5 unit
can be #lugge into e9isting installations %here the electrical
e?ui#ment re?uiring #rotection is to be use"
5isavantages #rovie no #rotection from faults in fi9e/%iring
may be sub*ect to abuse so fre?uent testing is re?uire
rely on aministrative controls to ensure that %orkers use the stan/
alone units
can be less economical if many items of electrical e?ui#ment re?uire
#rotection"
Page 32 of 00 <(L= 2012
APPENDI& C RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRICAL WORK
Activit) Ris"s
Isoation and
access
$orrectly isolating su##ly but not ischarging resiual energy e"g" a ca#acitive
charge may be #resent in #o%er su##lies& single/#hase motors or high #o%er
factor fluorescent fittings"
Insulation an e?ui#ment failing or #artially breaking o%n"
8arth connection failing to sto# an electric shock in earthe conuctive #arts
%hen ste# an touch #otentials e9ist"
$arrying out the task causes a #erson& something a #erson may be hanling
or something a #erson is in contact %ith to intrue into minimum safe
a##roach istances"
A #o%er system conucting fault current or being sub*ect to high inrush
currents"
Instructions or markings on the #arts being inae?uate& incorrect or both"
(sing e?ui#ment not esigne for& or ca#able of& an o#eration e"g" o#ening a
Gno loa A bus tie) uner loa conitions or relying on an o#en circuit breaker
as an isolation #oint"
Another #erson energising circuits %hile a %orker is %orking on them& or a
vehicle hitting a #ole"
,atural elements Bi"e" lightning or %inC causing static charges& overhea
mains to clash or a high/voltage circuit to fall onto a lo%/voltage circuit"
'he inter/core ca#acitive effects of long multi/#hase cables"
$hanges to %iring not being reflecte in ra%ings i"e" the ra%ings are not Gas
built) e"g" a live control or su#ervision circuit being #resent though the ra%ing
inicates other%ise"
If there has been an error in %iring& o#ening the isolator may not e/energise
the s%itchboar e"g" if incorrect connection Bincorrect #olarityC occurre in the
service to an installation& o#ening the main s%itch %ill o#en circuit the neutral
rather than the active"
Intentionally isabling an interlock to #erform a task e"g" o#ening the shutter
of a Grackable) circuit breaker test to #rove e/energise in the orifice"
Inavertently isabling an interlock %hile #erforming a task e"g" in a
s%itchboar %ith an integrate circuit breaker& isolator an earth s%itch& the
o#erator accientally moving the isolator into the earthe #osition"
Poor irection an insufficient kno%lege e"g" a %orker is instructe to a##ly a
set of earths an short circuits at a Ring Lain (nit BRL(C" 'he %orker
correctly observes the isolator is o#en& ho%ever they assume the earth s%itch
can be close because the isolator is o#en" As most RL(s are configure so
the earth s%itch earths the cable& not the busbar& it is #ossible the %orker
%oul be earthing an short/circuiting
a live circuit"
When a##lying a set of #ortable earths an short/circuits& acciental or
inavertent contact is mae %ith live #arts" If this occurs& the %orker is using a
evice that is conucting fault current"
'he threshol value Blo%est level of inication or reaingC of a test evice
causing a misleaing inter#retation of a test to #rove e/energise"
5e#ening on the evice use& an inication that #arts are not energise in a
high/voltage situation oes not mean that lo%/voltage an irect current
Page 32 of 00 <(L= 2012
Activit) Ris"s
voltages are absent"
A##lication of earthing an short/circuiting evices that e#en on a
conuctive #ath through a fuse or circuit breaker that is not fit for #ur#ose"
Ineffective connection to the general mass of the earth e"g" the electroe& gri
or tem#orary electroe that the earth an short circuits relies u#on in a
situation %here a single #hase becomes energise"
A##lication of the short circuit #ortion of #ortable earthing evices #rior to the
earth tail being connecte to the earth"
Arcing an s#lattering associate %ith the a##lication of earths an short
circuits& causing a risk" 'he arcing or s#lattering may result from using the
evice in situations that range from energise conuctors to resiual energy
such as ca#acitance" If the #arts are energise& the %orker can ra% the arc
from one #hase to the other& causing a #hase/to/#hase fault"
A #otential electric shock #ath e9isting once the earth tail is connecte to
earth" A %orker may touch another live #art an the earthe connector at the
same time& for e9am#le in a $ommon Lulti#le 8arthe ,eutral B$L8,C area&
even %hen %orking on high/voltage& contact bet%een the earthe connector
an a lo%/voltage #hase can cause an electric shock"
Wor"in% near
so$rces of
arcin%(
e@&osion or
fires
Arcs& e9#losions an electrical faults can cause burns" Workers shoul be
#rotecte from the effects of burns" 89am#les inclue:
materials #roviing a conuctive #ath bet%een sources of #otential&
for e9am#le uninsulate tools falling across busbars
abnormal conitions on circuits such as:
o lightning striking mains
o circuits of ifferent voltages touching each other e"g" high/voltage
contacting lo%/voltage circuits
o high voltage in the seconary circuit of a current transformer if an
o#en circuit occurs %hen current is flo%ing in the #rimary circuit"
abnormally high voltages %hen synchronising ifferent su##lies" 6or e9am#le&
if the %aveforms are 1.0N out of #hase& t%ice the #eak/to/#eak voltage may
be im#ose
voltage multi#lication effects& incluing:
o ferro/resonance %here the ca#acitive an inuctive com#onents
of unergroun cables an transformers can significantly increase
voltages %hen single/#hasing occurs
o re/strike can occur if ca#acitors are energise& e/energise an
re/energise in ra#i succession
leakage or electrical ischarge causing insulation to be com#romise& for
e9am#le a combination of a buil/u# of contaminants on insulators& %et
%eather or tracking through air vois in #itch fille insulating chambers
failure of insulating meiums"
Wor"in% in
$nsafe
atmos&!eres
After faults an fires& often in emergencies& electrical %orkers may be
e9#ose to unsafe atmos#heres" 'o9ic gases an lack of o9ygen can cause
illness an eath" General %ork#lace health an safety risk control measures
shoul be use in these situations"
'he metho of e9tinguishing fires shoul be aresse" 'y#ically& carbon
io9ie or #o%er ty#e evices are use against electrical fires" 89tinguishers
incluing %ater& foam an %et chemical shoul not be use as they
Page 31 of 00 <(L= 2012
Activit) Ris"s
significantly increase the risk of electric shock"
Modif)in% or
re&airin%
e@istin% o50
vota%e
eectrica
instaations
8lectrical ra%ings;tables not reflecting Gas installe) installations"
Lore than one source of su##ly or energise circuit may be available on the
#remises or at the e?ui#ment"
'he su##ly becoming energise uring the %ork"
Automatic starting of machinery after su##ly is restore"
Lanaging metallic shavings Bs%arfC ingress into conuctive #arts of
e?ui#ment"
A conuctor consiere to be e/energise %as foun to be energise"
Il installations B%here several moifications may have been mae& circuits
have not been ientifie& or the insulation has eteriorateC"
Holtages on isconnecte conuctors& #articularly neutrals"
Installations %here the L8, system is use& the rise in the earth #otential ue
to a high im#eance return #ath to the istribution neutral"
Lack of information about isolation& sources of su##ly or the location of
electrical conuctors"
Lack of clear safe access to locate electric cables Bother ha@ars may be
#resent such as e9#ose conuctorsC"
5amage to conuctors in metallic conuits %here earthing continuity of the
conuit has not been maintaine"
8?ui#ment locate in ha@arous areas& %hich inclues bolt/on or scre%/on
covers& can be angerous if o#ene %ithout obtaining s#ecialist avice"
Working alone on energise e?ui#ment"
5rilling into s%itchboars;electrical enclosures"
$ontact %ith cables in %alls& floors or roof s#aces"
$ontact %ith cables uring e9cavation %ork or cutting;rilling concrete"
89#osure to asbestos material;s%itchboars"
Hariable fre?uency evices"
Lulti#le circuits locate %ithin the one conuit"
(se of conuctive;flammable cleaning solvents creating an e9#losive
atmos#here"
Testin% and
fa$t findin%
o50vota%e
e*$i&ment and
instaations
Risks arise as it is ifficult to fin faults or malfunctions in electrical e?ui#ment
%hen the circuits are not energise or %hen the e?ui#ment is not o#erating&
es#ecially if feeback circuits or sensors are involve" Risks can inclue:
electrical ra%ings;tables not reflecting Gas installe) installations
e9#ose energise terminals or conuctors
terminals or conuctors being energise uner ifferent conitions of
o#eration of the e?ui#ment
loose or isconnecte test leas or %iring becoming energise
test e?ui#ment an leas bringing electrical ha@ars closer to the %orker
test e?ui#ment ina##ro#riate for the task B#articularly test #robesC
inae?uate test #oints
inavertent attem#ts to start machinery by other #ersons
incorrect or #oorly maintaine testing instruments
inae?uate kno%lege of e?ui#ment or causes of faults
Page 33 of 00 <(L= 2012
Activit) Ris"s
lack of information about circuits or e?ui#ment
e?ui#ment locate in ha@arous areas& %hich inclues bolt/on or scre%/on
covers& can be angerous if o#ene %ithout obtaining s#ecialist avice
testing or fault fining alone on energise e?ui#ment
testing or fault fining in cram#e or restricte %ork situations
rotating or moving machinery Bcrush ha@arsC
overriing of interlocks or forcing of control e?ui#ment
re/setting of #rotective evices in energise s%itchboars
electrical installations %here unauthorise electrical %ork has been
unertaken"
Hi%! fa$t
c$rrents 9
5or"in%( testin%
or fa$t findin%
ener%ised
When %orking& testing or fault fining on energise electrical e?ui#ment& a
fault current of u# to 20 times the rate current of the su##ly transformer can
flo% for short uration uring fault conitions"
Arcs can have the energy to cause an e9#losion an;or melt metallic
s%itchboar cubicles an e?ui#ment" Arcs may cause severe burns to the
skin an flash burns to the face an eyes" Inhale hot gases an molten
#articles can cause serious internal burns to the throat an lungs" In*ury can
also occur through the im#act from flying ebris an isloge com#onents"
$ircuit #rotection evices may not o#erate in such circumstances"
Testin%( fa$t
findin% or
5or"in% on or
near o5 vota%e
e*$i&ment
Holtages bet%een #hases an bet%een #hases an neutral"
Holtages bet%een #hases an earth"
Holtages across o#en s%itch contacts& for e9am#le voltage across a light
s%itch on an incanescent lighting circuit or the voltage across a bus tie
%here one sie is e/energise"
Holtages on isconnecte conuctors B#articularly neutralsC"
Holtages from sources near the %ork being #erforme& for e9am#le:
o %orking on a remote area #o%er su##ly %here both a"c" an "c"
voltages may be #resent
o re#airing lights on a sho# fascia %hen overhea #o%er lines are
nearby
o %orking on transucer circuits %hen other a"c" an "c" circuits are
#resent
o %orking on a #o%er system %ith multi#le circuits that may be of
multi#le #otentials"
Holtages on the circuit being %orke on from other sources incluing:
o illegal connections or reconnections
o (ninterru#tible Po%er Su##lies B(PSC an backu# su##lies
o motor generators or alternators
o "c" on a"c" circuits or a"c" on "c" circuits
o harmonics& for e9am#le 2r harmonic 130 E@ in neutrals an earths
%here there is a large fluorescent light loa an s%itch moe #o%er
su##lies
o back 8lectro Lagnetic 6orces B8L6C from colla#sing magnetic fiels
or rotating machinery
Page 30 of 00 <(L= 2012
Activit) Ris"s
o solar #anels or #hotovoltaic"
Holtages across unischarge ca#acitors"
Holtages across the seconary terminals of transformers& incluing current
transformers"
Holtages cause by static electricity& leakage or ischarge& or lightning"
Holtages bet%een energise e9#ose conuctors an the surrouning
environment Bincluing metal%ork& am# situations& other conuctive surfaces
an #ersons nearbyC"
Holtages bet%een #arts& or o#en/circuite #arts of one earth system& or
voltages bet%een ifferent earthing systems"
Inuce voltages from sources other than the circuit being %orke on& for
e9am#le nearby circuits or raio fre?uency transmitters"
Lulti#le su##ly sources Bmore than one source of su##ly or energise circuit
may be available on the #remisesC& for e9am#le Gessential services) on a
s%itchboar& emergency backu# generators or (PS"
8lectrical testing or o#erating e?ui#ment %ith o#en enclosures in ha@arous
areas Bas efine by AS;,FS 2000:200-C"
'he #otential BvoltageC bet%een #arts of the earth in Lulti#le 8arthe ,eutral
BL8,C systems can change& sometimes causing electric shocks" 'he
changing earth #otential can be ue to a number of causes incluing a high
im#eance return #ath to the lo%/voltage istribution neutral& faults on other
#arts of the #o%er system or lightning strikes"
Incorrect %iring connections& for e9am#le trans#osing active an neutral&
commonly referre to as incorrect #olarity"
S%itche off circuits becoming energise"
6aulty e?ui#ment& for e9am#le the frame of faulty e?ui#ment may become
energise"
Ste# an touch #otentials an transferre earth #otentials" 'ransferre earth
#otentials often result from system faults"
Eygrosco#ic materials that become conuctive& for e9am#le fertiliser ust"
Ot!er Ha4ards Working at heights an anger of falling ob*ects"
Removal of cover #lates near energise e?ui#ment& for e9am#le escutcheon
#lates"
$onfine s#aces B%here there may be a ha@arous atmos#hereC"
Inae?uate light to %ork safely"
Lack of ventilation leaing to uncomfortable& hot an humi %orking
conitions"
89cessive %orker fatigue& ue to #ressure of ealines or other factors"
Ibstacles to getting the e?ui#ment s%itche off"
(sing a gas flame near e9#ose electrical conuctors Ba flame is a
conuctorC"
(sing conuctive or flammable cleaning solvents"
'em#erature rise as a result of combustion"
$ram#e %orking conitions& incluing cable trenches an cable #its"
89#losive atmos#heres"
(se of conuctive tools an e?ui#ment& for e9am#le metallic ta#e measures
Page 3- of 00 <(L= 2012
Activit) Ris"s
an rulers"
8lectric tools an e?ui#ment Bfor e9am#le& han lam#s& rills& sa%s& torches
an test instrumentsC"
Personal effects Bfor e9am#le& rings& *e%ellery& %atches& #ens& cigarette
lighters& matches& hearing ais& mobile #hones an #agers& transistor raios
an similarC"
General %ork activities Bfor e9am#le& %eling& cutting& bra@ing& using han
sa%s& rilling of all ty#es& hammering an chisellingC"
Eot metal surfaces ue to rilling& grining or %eling"
89cavation associate %ith electrical %ork"
Lolten metal from arcs"
Asbestos material;s%itchboars"
Polychlorinate bi#henyl BP$+C in transformers& ca#acitors an electric
motors"
Page 3. of 00 <(L= 2012
APPENDI& D PRE"ENTATI"E ACTIONS CHECKLIST
'his checklist %ill hel# you to ientify ha@ars associate %ith electrical %ork an evelo# safe
%ork methos"
If you ans%er G,I) to any ?uestion you must take action to #ut a&&ro&riate ris" contro
meas$res in #lace"
PART ,= INITIAL ASSESSMENT A N
$an the %ork be unertaken %hile the electrical e?ui#ment is e/energise>
If 3es+ proceed to "art $* If $o+ is it#
necessary in the interests of health an safety that the electrical %ork is carrie
out on the e?ui#ment %hile the e?ui#ment is energise>
OR
necessary that the electrical e?ui#ment to be %orke on is energise in orer for
the %ork to be carrie out #ro#erly>
OR
is it necessary for the #ur#oses of electrical testing re?uire uner Regulation
133>
OR
are there no reasonable alternative means of carrying out the %ork>
If your ans(er to any of these is :yes; proceed to "art % after considering (hether
part of the installation or e-uipment may ,e de-energised (hile the (ork is
carried out*
If you cannot ans(er :yes; to any of these proceed to "art $you must (ork de-
energised*
PART >= WORK 'E0ENERGISE' A N
5o you have a##rove test instruments suitable for the task>
Eave you checke that the test instruments are functioning correctly>
Eave you isolate the su##ly e"g" by s%itching off>
Eave you conclusively teste that the e?ui#ment is e/energise>
<ou must carry out the electrical (ork in accordance (ith any safe (ork method
statement that must ,e prepared for the (ork*
"roceed to "art &*
PART /= WORK ON OR NEAR ENERGISE' EB6IPMENT A N
Eas a risk assessment been conucte by a com#etent #erson %hich ientifies
all electrical ha@ars an non/electrical ha@ars& both actual an #otential>
Is the %ork area clear of obstructions to allo% for easy access>
Is the isolation #oint clearly marke or labelle an ca#able of being o#erate
?uickly>
Eas the #erson %ith management or control of the %ork#lace been consulte
about the #ro#ose electrical %ork>
5o you have a safe %ork metho statement for the task at han> 'his shoul
state the control measures re?uire to eliminate or minimise the risks"
Page 3! of 00 <(L= 2012
Are you traine& com#etent an confient in a##lying the #articular #roceures or
techni?ues that are re?uire for the task>
Eave you checke to ensure that your tools an accessories are insulate an
have been ins#ecte an maintaine to ensure they are serviceable>
Is your test e?ui#ment a##ro#riate to the task an functioning correctly>
Are you %earing the a##ro#riate clothing an associate PP8 for the task e"g"
safety helmet an boots& insulating gloves>
5o you have the a##ro#riate insulating mats an sheeting>
Is a safety observer #resent>
2ote# a safety o,server is not re-uired for electrical (ork if it only involves testing
and the risk assessment sho(s that there is no serious risk associated (ith the
(ork*
Are the necessary first ai facilities #rovie an accessible an are
unauthorise #ersons #revente from entering the %ork area>
REMEMCER=
5o the %ork very carefully"
6ollo% the safe %ork #roceures"
Assume all e9#ose conuctors are energise"
+e a%are of the voltage to earth of all e9#ose conuctors"
PART -= A<TER COMPLETING THE WORK A N
Eave the installations;circuits;e?ui#ment been restore to a safe an o#erable
conition>
Eave all tags an locking/off evices been remove>
Page 00 of 00 <(L= 2012