managing electrical risk

8/13/2019 Managing Electrical Risk

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MANAGING ELECTRICAL RISKSIN THE WORKPLACE

Code of Practice

APRIL 2012


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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 territorygovernments& the Australian $ouncil of 'ra e (nions& the Australian $hamber of $ommerce

an In ustry an the Australian In ustry 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 anational #olicy bo y& not a regulator of %ork health an safety" 'he $ommon%ealth& states anterritories have res#onsibility for regulating an enforcing %ork health an safety la%s in their

*uris iction"

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IS+, !-./0/ 2/-. 0/1 4R'67

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89ce#t for the Safe Work Australia logo& this co#yright %ork is license un er a $reative$ommons Attribution/,oncommercial "0 Australia licence" 'o vie% a co#y of this licence& visit

htt#:;;creativecommons"org;licenses;by/nc; "0;au;

In essence& you are free to co#y& communicate an a a#t the %ork for non commercial #ur#oses&as long as you attribute the %ork to Safe Work Australia an abi e by the other licence terms"

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Tab e of Contents

FOREWORD.....................................................................................5

SCOPE AND APPLICATION.................................................................5

INTRODUCTION................................................................................71"1 What are electrical risks>"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"2 Who must manage electrical risks>""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" What is re?uire to manage electrical risks>"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""".

PART A: ....................................................................................... 11

GENERAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE..........................11

THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS...................................................121" I entify the ha@ar s"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"3 Assess the risks"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" $ontrol the risks""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"- Revie% the control measures""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

SPECIFIC HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL..........................................151". (nsafe electrical e?ui#ment an electrical installations at the %ork#lace"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""131"! Ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""11"10 Ins#ecting an testing e?ui#ment construction an emolition sites""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1!1"11 Resi ual current evices BR$5sC""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

PART B: ....................................................................................... 24

ELECTRICAL WORK.........................................................................24

MANAGING THE RISKS OF ELECTRICAL WORK...................................251"12 What is electrical %ork>"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"1 I entify the ha@ar s"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"1 Assess the risks"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"13 $ontrol the risks"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"1 Revie% the control measures """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

RISK CONTROLS WORKING DE ENERGISED.....................................2!1"1- General #rinci#les verification of e/energise electrical e?ui#ment""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""2.1"1. Safe %ork metho statements""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"1! Work on cables Binclu ing cutting cablesC"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""2

LOW "OLTAGE ISOLATION AND ACCESS...........................................#$1"20 Securing the isolation"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"21 Altering isolation for testing& fault fin ing an re/energising""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"22 Restoring #o%er"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"2 Leaving unfinishe %ork""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

RISK CONTROLS ENERGISED ELECTRICAL WORK.............................#51"2 Prohibition on energise electrical %ork""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"23 Planning an #re#aration """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"2 $arrying out energise electrical %ork""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"2- Leaving unfinishe %ork""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1"2. Particular energise electrical %orkDtesting an fault fin ing"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 0

RISK CONTROLS WORKING NEAR ENERGISED ELECTRICAL PARTS....42

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1"2! Planning an #re#aration """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" 0 Working near energise electrical #arts""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" 1 Im#lementing risk control measures""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" 2 Revie%ing risk control measures"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

TOOLS AND E%UIPMENT.................................................................44

1" Ins#ection an testing"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" La ers& scaffol s an similar e?ui#ment"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" 3 Insulating barriers an insulating mats""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" 'est instruments""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" - Personal #rotective e?ui#ment BPP8C""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""1" . 6irst Ai """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

HIGH "OLTAGE ELECTRICAL WORK..................................................4!

APPENDI& A MEANING OF KEY TERMS...........................................4'

APPENDI& B AD"ANTAGES AND DISAD"ANTAGES OF NON PORTABLEAND PORTABLE RCDS...............................................................5$

APPENDI& C RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRICAL WORK..............5#

APPENDI& D PRE"ENTATI"E ACTIONS CHECKLIST ..........................5'

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FOREWORD

'his $o e of Practice on ho% to manage electrical risks in %ork#laces is an a##rove co e of#ractice un er section 2- of the Work Health and Safety Act Bthe WES ActC"

An a##rove co e of #ractice is a #ractical gui e to achieving the stan ar s of health& safety an%elfare re?uire un er the WES Act an the Work Eealth an Safety Regulations Bthe WESRegulationsC"

A co e of #ractice a##lies to anyone %ho has a uty of care in the circumstances escribe in theco e" In most cases& follo%ing an a##rove co e of #ractice %oul achieve com#liance %ith thehealth an safety uties in the WES Act& in relation to the sub*ect matter of the co e" Likeregulations& co es of #ractice eal %ith #articular issues an o not cover all ha@ar s or risks thatmay arise" 'he health an safety uties re?uire uty hol ers to consi er all risks associate %ith%ork& not only those for %hich regulations an co es of #ractice e9ist"

$o es of #ractice are a missible in court #rocee ings un er the WES Act an Regulations" $ourtsmay regar a co e of #ractice as evi ence of %hat is kno%n about a ha@ar & risk or control an

may rely on the co e in etermining %hat is reasonably #racticable in the circumstances to %hichthe co e relates"

$om#liance %ith the WES Act an Regulations may be achieve by follo%ing another metho &such as a technical or an in ustry stan ar & if it #rovi es an e?uivalent or higher stan ar of %orkhealth an safety than the co e"

An ins#ector may refer to an a##rove co e of #ractice %hen issuing an im#rovement or#rohibition notice"

'his $o e of Practice has been evelo#e by Safe Work Australia as a mo el co e of #racticeun er the $ouncil of Australian Governments) Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory andOperational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety for a o#tion by the $ommon%ealth& statean territory governments"

SCOPE AND APPLICATION

'his $o e #rovi es #ractical gui ance for #ersons con ucting a business or un ertaking onmanaging electrical risks in the %ork#lace" It a##lies to all %ork#laces %here a #erson con uctinga business or un ertaking:has management or control of electrical e?ui#ment& inclu ing electrical installations& or carries out electrical %ork on or near energise electrical e?ui#ment& inclu ing electricalinstallations"

'his $o e also a##lies to construction an emolition sites& e9ce#t if a re?uirement of the $o e isealt %ith in AS;,FS 012:2010 Electrical installations !onstruction and demolition sites " In that

case you must com#ly %ith AS;,FS 012:2010" 6urther information about construction %ork canbe foun in the !ode of "ractice# !onstruction Work "

'his $o e oes not a##ly to:electrical %ork on e9tra/lo% voltage electrical e?ui#ment& inclu ing e9tra/lo% voltage electricalinstallationselectrical %ork on high voltage e?ui#ment after s%itching& isolation& short circuiting an earthing&sub*ect to summary gui ance in $ha#ter 10 of this $o ethe manufacture of electrical e?ui#mentautomotive 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#mentcontrolle or o#erate by the authority to generate& transform& transmit or su##ly electricity

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re#air of consumer electrical e?ui#ment %hen un#lugge from any electrical socket outlet"

89tra/lo% voltage) means voltage that oes not e9cee 30 volts alternating current B30 H a"c"C or120 volts ri##le/free irect current B120 H ri##le free "c"C"

'his $o e is ivi e into t%o #arts ealing %ith:

Part A B!hapters $-% C: general electrical safety at the %ork#lace& inclu ing electrical installations&re?uirements for ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment& an re?uirements for resi ual currentevices 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 #rovi ing gui ance& the %or shoul ) is use in this $o e to in icate a recommen e course ofaction& %hile may) is use to in icate an o#tional course of action"

'his $o e also inclu es various references to #rovisions of the WES Act an Regulations %hichset out the legal re?uirements" 'hese references are not e9haustive" 'he %or s must)& re?uires)or man atory) in icate that a legal re?uirement e9ists an must be com#lie %ith"

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INTRODUCTION

1.1 W!at are e ectrica ris"s#

8lectrical risks are risks of eath& electric shock or other in*ury cause irectly or in irectly byelectricity" '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 in irectcontact& tracking through or across a me ium& or by arcing" 6or e9am#le& electric shock may resultfrom in irect contact %here a con uctive #art that is not normally energise becomes energise

ue to a fault Be"g" metal toaster bo y& fenceCarcing& e9#losion or fire causing burns" 'he in*uries are often suffere because arcing or e9#losionor both occur %hen high fault currents are #resentelectric shock from ste#/an /touch) #otentialsto9ic gases causing illness or eath" +urning an arcing associate %ith electrical e?ui#ment mayrelease various gases an contaminantsfire resulting from an electrical fault"

8ven the briefest contact %ith electricity at 30 volts for alternating current BH a"c"C or 120 volts forirect 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 anamage to internal organs"

8lectric shocks from faulty electrical e?ui#ment may also lea to relate in*uries& inclu ing fallsfrom la ers& scaffol s or other elevate %ork #latforms" ther in*uries or illnesses may inclu emuscle 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 #oorelectrical installations can lea to fires that may also cause eath or in*ury to others"

Jey terms use in this $o e are efine at A##en i9 A"

1.2 W!o m$st mana%e e ectrica ris"s#

A &erson cond$ctin% a b$siness or $nderta"in% has the #rimary uty un er the WES Act toensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that %orkers an other #ersons at the %ork#lace arenot e9#ose to electrical risks arising from the business or un ertaking" 'his uty re?uireseliminating electrical risks or& if that is not reasonably #racticable& minimising the risks so far as isreasonably #racticable"

'he WES Regulations inclu e more s#ecific re?uirements for managing electrical risks at the%ork#lace" 6or e9am#le& all #ersons con ucting a business or un ertaking 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 con ucting a business or un ertaking %ith management or control of a %ork#lace have auty to ensure effective resi ual current evices BR$5sC are use in certain high/risk environments

as efine in the regulations"

Persons con ucting a business or un ertaking 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 un er local electrical safety la%s"

Persons con ucting a business or un ertaking shoul ensure electrical installation %ork is carrieout by ?ualifie #ersons an testing an com#liance re?uirements are met"

'esi%ners( man$fact$rers( im&orters( s$&& iers( and insta ers of electrical e?ui#ment aninstallations that coul be use for %ork must ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that theyare %ithout risks to health an safety" 5esigners an manufacturers of electrical e?ui#ment or

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installations must ensure they are esigne an manufacture so that electrical risks areeliminate 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 thebusiness or un ertaking com#lies %ith the WES Act an Regulations" 'his inclu es takingreasonable ste#s to ensure that the business or un ertaking 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 a versely affect thehealth an safety of other #ersons" Workers must com#ly %ith any reasonable instruction ancoo#erate %ith any reasonable #olicy or #roce ure relating to health an safety at the %ork#lace"'his means that if electrical e?ui#ment is #rovi e by the #erson con ucting the business orun ertaking& the %orker must use it in accor ance %ith the information& instruction an training#rovi e on its use"

'$t) !o ders may have a itional legal obligations un er state or territory electrical safetylegislation"

1.# W!at is re*$ired to mana%e e ectrica ris"s#

R+ ,-. A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must manage risks to health an safetyassociate %ith electrical risks at the %ork#lace"

R+ /-0/1 In or er to manage risk un er the WES Regulations& a uty hol er must:i entify reasonably foreseeable ha@ar s that coul give rise to the riskeliminate the risk& so far as is reasonably #racticableif it is not reasonably #racticable to eliminate the risk& minimise the risk so far as is reasonably#racticable by im#lementing control measuresmaintain the im#lemente control measure so that it remains effectiverevie%& 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" of this $o e"

'his $o e inclu es gui ance on ho% to manage electrical risks in the %ork#lace by follo%ing asystematic #rocess that involves:i entifying ha@ar sif necessary& assessing the risks associate %ith these ha@ar sim#lementing an maintaining risk control measures Be"g" ins#ecting an testing electricale?ui#ment& using R$5sC& anrevie%ing risk control measures"

Gui ance 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#ressvie%s an taking those vie%s into account before making ecisions on health an safety matters"

S+-. A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must consult& so far as is reasonably#racticable& %ith %orkers %ho carry out %ork for the business or un ertaking an %ho are Bor arelikely 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 mustinvolve that re#resentative"

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$onsultation %ith %orkers an their health an safety re#resentatives is re?uire at every ste# ofthe risk management #rocess" +y ra%ing on the e9#erience& kno%le ge an i eas of your%orkers you are more likely to i entify all ha@ar s an choose effective risk controls"

Consulting, cooperating and coordinating activities with other duty holders

S+ -2 A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must& so far as is reasonably #racticable&consult& coo#erate an coor inate activities %ith all other #ersons %ho have a %ork health or safetyuty in relation to the same matter"

Sometimes you may have res#onsibility for a health an safety matter along %ith other businesso#erators %ho are involve in the same activities or %ho share the same %ork#lace" In thesesituations& you shoul e9change information to fin out %ho is oing %hat an %ork together in acoo#erative an coor inate %ay so that all risks are eliminate or minimise so far as isreasonably #racticable"

6or e9am#le& if you engage an electrical contractor to carry out electrical %ork at your %ork#laceyou 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 contractorBe"g" instructing on an ensuring com#liance %ith no go) @ones)C to ensure electrical safety ofeveryone at the %ork#lace"

6urther gui ance 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 con ucting a business or un ertaking 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 #rovi e to a %orker is suitablean a e?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#rovi ethe control measures im#lemente "

=ou must ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that the information& training an instructionis #rovi e in a %ay that is rea ily un erstan able by any #erson to %hom it is #rovi e "

6ormal or on/the/*ob training may be a##ro#riate e#en ing on the circumstances" 89am#les oftraining are:

in uction trainingDto ensure ne% starters or %orkers ne% to a *ob are traine on safe systems of%ork an other relevant health an safety matterssu#ervisor an management trainingDto ensure that safety issues are a##ro#riately manage atthe %ork#lace%ork/s#ecific trainingDto ensure that %orkers carrying out #articular %ork are traine on anyelectrical an other risks s#ecific to the %ork& as a##ro#riateongoing or refresher trainingDto ensure that any training on %ork health an safety matters isre#eate as a##ro#riate on a #erio ic basis

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emergency #roce ure trainingDto ensure %orkers kno% %hat to o in the event of an emergency&for e9am#le #roce ures to follo% if a #erson receives an electric shockfirst ai trainingDto ensure a##ro#riate #roce ures are follo%e for a ministering first ai & fore9am#le #ro#er treatment for electric shockelectrical rescue an resuscitation training for safety observers"

S#ecial nee s of %orkers shoul be taken into account in eci ing the structure& content anelivery of training& inclu ing literacy levels& %ork e9#erience an s#ecific skills re?uire to

carry out the %ork"

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PART A:

GENERAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE

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THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

1.4 Identif) t!e !a4ards

I entifying ha@ar s involves fin ing all of the tasks& situations an se?uences of events that coul#otentially cause harm"

Ea@ar s arising from electrical e?ui#ment or installations may arise from:the esign& construction& installation& maintenance an testing of electrical e?ui#ment or electricalinstallations

esign change or mo ificationina e?uate or inactive electrical #rotection%here an ho% electrical e?ui#ment is use " 8lectrical e?ui#ment may be sub*ect to o#eratingcon itions that are likely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a re uction in its e9#ecte lifes#an" 6or e9am#le& e?ui#ment may be at greater risk of amage if use out oors or in a factory or%orksho# environmentelectrical e?ui#ment being use in an area in %hich the atmos#here #resents a risk to health ansafety from fire or e9#losion& for e9am#le confine s#acesty#e of electrical e?ui#ment" 6or e9am#le& #lug in) electrical e?ui#ment that may be move arounfrom site to site& inclu ing e9tension lea s& are #articularly liable to amagethe age of electrical e?ui#ment an electrical installations%ork carrie out on or near electrical e?ui#ment or electrical installations& inclu ing electricoverhea lines or un ergroun electric services& for e9am#le %ork carrie out in a confine s#aceconnecte to #lant or services"

89#osure to high electromagnetic fiel s may also #resent a #otential ha@ar for %orkers %ith someme ical con itions& for e9am#le #ace makers" =ou must inform %orkers an other #ersons at the

%ork#lace of any #otential electromagnetic ha@ar s at the %ork#lace that may affect a me icalcon ition" =ou must also manage risks to health an safety arising out of electromagnetic ha@ar s&inclu ing 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@ar s may be i entifie in a number of ifferent %ays inclu ing:talking to %orkers an observing %here an ho% electrical e?ui#ment is useregularly ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment an electrical installations as a##ro#riaterea ing #ro uct labels an manufacturers) instruction manualstalking to manufacturers& su##liers& in ustry associations& an health an safety s#ecialistsrevie%ing inci ent re#orts"

1.5 Assess t!e ris"s

Risk assessment involves consi ering %hat coul ha##en if someone is e9#ose to a ha@arBconse?uenceC an the likelihoo of it ha##ening"

6or %ork on energise electrical e?ui#ment& the WES Regulations re?uire that a risk assessmentbe #re#are in %riting by a com#etent #ersonK for more information see Part + of this $o e"

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 riskho% urgently the action nee s to be taken"

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'o assess the risk associate %ith electrical ha@ar s consi er: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& fireor 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 >

ther factors that may affect conse?uence an likelihoo inclu e:the con itions un er %hich the electrical e?ui#ment is use & for e9am#le %et con itions out oorsor confine s#aces%ork #ractices an #roce ures& for e9am#le isolation& to carry out maintenancethe ca#ability& skill an e9#erience of relevant %orkers"

1.( Contro t!e ris"snce ha@ar s have been i entifie 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 thelo%est" 'his ranking is kno%n as the hierarchy of risk control " =ou must %ork through this hierarchyto choose the control that most effectively eliminates or minimises the risk in the circumstances& sofar as is reasonably #racticable" 'his may involve a single control measure or a combination of t%oor more ifferent controls"

Elimination

'he most effective control measure is to remove the ha@ar or ha@ar ous %ork #ractice" +yesigning/in or esigning/out certain features& ha@ar s may be eliminate "

Su,stitution

Re#lacing a ha@ar ous #rocess or material %ith one that is less ha@ar ous %ill re uce the ha@ar &an hence the risk" 6or e9am#le& it may be reasonably #racticable to use e9tra/lo% voltageelectrical e?ui#ment such as a battery/o#erate tool rather than a tool that is #lugge into mainselectricity"

Isolation

Preventing %orkers from coming into contact %ith the source of an electrical ha@ar %ill re uce therelevant risks"

Engineering controls(se engineering control measures to minimise the risk& for e9am#le installing resi ual current

evices to re uce the risk of receiving a fatal electric shock"

Administrative controls

A ministrative controls involve the use of safe %ork #ractices to control the risk& for e9am#leestablishing e9clusion @ones& use of #ermits an %arning signs"

"ersonal protective e uipment .""E/

PP8 inclu es #rotective eye%ear& insulate gloves& har hats& a#rons an breathing #rotection"ost forms of PP8 are not relevant to minimising electrical risks in %ork#laces& e9ce#t in relation to

energise electrical %ork"

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A ministrative controls an PP8 o nothing to change the ha@ar itself" 'hey rely on #eo#lebehaving as e9#ecte an re?uire a high level of su#ervision" 89clusive reliance on a ministrativecontrols an PP8 must only occur %here other measures are not reasonably #racticable or as aninterim control %hile the #referre control measure is being im#lemente "

=ou shoul check that your chosen control measure oes not intro uce ne% ha@ar s"

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 makesure they %ork effectively"

R+ /1 A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must revie% an as necessary revise acontrol measure in the follo%ing circumstances:%hen the control measure oes not control the risk it %as im#lemente to control so far as isreasonably #racticablebefore a change at the %ork#lace that is likely to give rise to a ne% or ifferent risk to health orsafety that the measure may not effectively control

if a ne% relevant ha@ar or risk is i entifieif the results of consultation in icate that a revie% is necessaryif 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 risksin your %ork#lace:5o you talk to your %orkers about electrical safety> 5o any relevant ne% %ork metho s ore?ui#ment have the #otential to make %ork safer in your %ork#lace>

Are #roce ures for i entifying electrical ha@ar s in the %ork#lace effective> Are electrical safety #roce ures follo%e > 5o you encourage your %orkers to re#ort electricalha@ar s>

5o you regularly ins#ect an maintain your electrical e?ui#ment to i entify safety #roblems>5o you fi9 or rectify i entifie electrical ha@ar s in a timely manner>

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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 inclu ing:8nsure #o%er circuits are #rotecte by the a##ro#riate rate fuse or circuit breaker to #revent

overloa ing"If the circuit kee#s overloa ing& on)t increase the fuse rating as this creates a fire risk ue tooverheatingK instea ensure the circuit is not re/energise until the reason for the o#eration hasbeen etermine by a com#etent #erson"

Arrange electrical lea s so they %ill not be amage " So far as is reasonably #racticable& avoirunning lea s across the floor or groun & through oor%ays an over shar# e ges& an use leastan s or insulate cable hangers to kee# lea s off the groun " In many heavy in ustries& cable#rotection ram#s are use to #rotect cables"5on)t use lea s an tools in am# or %et con itions unless they are s#ecially esigne for thosecon itions"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 inclu ing fuses are triggere intoo#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 e ectrica e*$i&ment and e ectrica insta ations at t!e 5or"& ace

R+ ,-3 A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking that has management or control of electricale?ui#ment must ensure that any unsafe electrical e?ui#ment at the %ork#lace is isconnecte Borisolate C from its electricity su##ly an & once isconnecte & is not reconnecte until it is re#aire orteste an foun to be safe or is re#lace or #ermanently remove from use"

8lectrical e?ui#ment is unsafe if there are reasonable groun s for believing it to be unsafe"

=ou shoul im#lement a safe system of %ork to eal %ith #otentially unsafe electrical e?ui#ment atthe %ork#lace" 'his coul inclu e:re?uiring %orkers Bif com#etent to o soC to un ertake a check of the #hysical con ition of theelectrical e?ui#ment& inclu ing the lea an #lug connections& #rior to commencing usetaking the electrical e?ui#ment out of service if in oubt as to safety& inclu ing at any time uringuse#utting re#orting arrangements in #lace to ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& thatsu#ervisors or line managers are a vise if a %orker takes electrical e?ui#ment out of service forsafety reasons"

(nsafe electrical e?ui#ment must be isconnecte or isolate from its electricity su##ly" It must notbe reconnecte unless it is re#aire by a com#etent #erson or tests by a com#etent #erson haveconfirme it is safe to use" Alternatively& it coul be re#lace or #ermanently remove from use"

(nsafe electrical e?ui#ment shoul be labelle in icating it is unsafe an must not be use " 'his isto #revent ina vertent use before the electrical e?ui#ment can be teste & re#aire or re#lace "

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1.' Ins&ectin% and testin% e ectrica 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 i entify obvious amage& %ear or other con itions that might makeelectrical e?ui#ment unsafe" any electrical efects are etectable by visual ins#ection"

Regular testing can etect electrical faults an eterioration that cannot be etecte by visualins#ection"

'he nature an fre?uency of ins#ection an testing %ill vary e#en ing on the nature of the%ork#lace an the risks associate %ith the electrical e?ui#ment"

Lo%er/risk %ork#laces inclu e those %ork#laces that are ry& clean& %ell/organise an free ofcon itions that are likely to result in amage to electrical e?ui#ment& for e9am#le an office& retailsho#& telecommunications centre& classroom& etc" 8lectrical e?ui#ment commonly use in thesety#es of lo%er/risk %ork#laces inclu es com#uters& #hotoco#iers& stationery or fi9e electricale?ui#ment" A key source of information on ealing %ith the ins#ection an testing of electricale?ui#ment is the manufacturer)s recommen ations"In this section a reference to ins#ection) or testing) e9clu es re#air of electrical e?ui#ment"

Inspecting and testing electrical equipmentother than equipment used in specifiedhigher-risk operating environments

,ot all electrical items nee to be ins#ecte an teste un er Regulation 130Dfor legalre?uirements see Sections 1"10 an of this $o e& %hich eal %ith ins#ection an testingre?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 antesting or tagging)"

Gui ance on ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment in lo%er/risk o#erating environments isinclu e in AS;,FS - 0:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical e uipment Bifcovere by that Stan ar C an may also be inclu e in the manufacturer)s recommen ations"

AS;,FS - 0:2010 sets out in icative ins#ection an testing intervals for certain electricale?ui#ment& inclu ing R$5s& use in a variety of ifferent o#erating environments"

In addition 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" un ertaken bythe #erson carrying out the re#air or servicing before return to serviceCbefore 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 mo ifications to the electrical e?ui#ment& inclu ingaccessories& connectors& #lugs or cor e9tension socketslooking for iscolouration that may in icate e9#osure to e9cessive heat& chemicals or moisturechecking the integrity of #rotective earth an insulation resistancechecking that fle9ible cor s are effectively anchore to e?ui#ment& #lugs& connectors an core9tension socketslooking for amage to fle9ible cor schecking that o#erating controls are in goo %orking or er i"e" they are secure& aligne ana##ro#riately i entifiechecking that covers& guar s& etc" are secure an %orking in the manner inten e by the

manufacturer or su##lier checking that ventilation inlets an e9hausts are unobstructe

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checking that the current rating of the #lug matches the current rating of the associate electricale?ui#ment"

,ote that AS;,FS - 0:2010 s#ecifically e9clu es me ical evices an electrical evices in#atient care areas" 6or more information see AS; 331:200 0echnical management programmesfor medical devices or AS;,FS 00 :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 /hane?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 noamage 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 toensure that it oes not miss its first re?uire test"

'he ate the electrical e?ui#ment %as #lace into service shoul be recor e Be"g" on the recor ofinstallation or else%hereC" 'he electrical e?ui#ment may also be fitte %ith a tag stating:

that the e?ui#ment is ne% to service)the ate of entry into servicethe ate %hen the first electrical safety test is uethat the e?ui#ment has not been teste "

6itting a ne% to service) tag is an a ministrative task that can be carrie out by an a##ro#riatelytraine 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 inclu e in thene9t roun of electrical testing carrie out at the %ork#laceC"

Inspecting and testing equipmentregulatory requirements for specified higher-riskoperating environments other than construction or demolition sites

R+ ,78 A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking %ith management or control of electricale?ui#ment must ensure that the electrical e?ui#ment is regularly ins#ecte an teste by acom#etent #erson if the electrical e?ui#ment is:su##lie %ith electricity through an electrical socket outlet B #lug in) e?ui#mentC& anuse in an environment in %hich its normal use e9#oses the e?ui#ment to o#erating con itions thatare likely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a re uction in its e9#ecte life s#an"

'his inclu es con itions 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 thee?ui#ment is re?uire to be teste un er these re?uirements but has not been teste " Possibleactions may inclu e the storing of e?ui#ment in locke areas to #revent use or the use of lock 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 con itions thatare likely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a re uction in its e9#ecte life s#anconstruction an emolition sites Bsee Section 1"10 of this $o eC"

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'hese o#erating environments have the #otential to seriously affect the safe o#eration of electricale?ui#ment" 'his inclu es con itions that involve e9#osing the electrical e?ui#ment to moisture&heat& vibration& mechanical amage& corrosive chemicals an ust" 89am#les inclu e %et or ustyareas& out oors& %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 theseo#erating environments at a #articular %ork#lace"

6or gui ance on a##ro#riate ins#ection an testing intervals& seek the a vice of a com#etent#erson Bsee belo%C" 6urther gui ance may be inclu e in AS;,FS - 0:2010 In-service safetyinspection and testing of electrical e uipment an the manufacturer)s recommen ations"

As a general rule electrical e?ui#ment use in the s#ecifie higher/risk o#erating environmentsshoul be teste at least once every 12 months" ore fre?uent testing may be re?uire & fore9am#le in relation to:electrical e?ui#ment use in manufacturing an %orksho# environments Be"g" at least once every

monthsCcommercial cleaning e?ui#ment Be"g" at least once every monthsChire e?ui#ment Be"g" at least once every monthsC"

Hire e uipment

Persons con ucting a business or un ertaking hiring out electrical e?ui#ment must ensure thee?ui#ment is ins#ecte at the commencement of each hire an teste every three months"

'he #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking using the electrical e?ui#ment hire out mustensure that& for the #erio of the hire& the e?ui#ment meets all a##licable ins#ection an testingre?uirements un er the WES Regulations an this $o e"

Competency requirements for those carrying out inspection and testing of electricalequipment

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%le ge an skills to carry out the task Bi"e" be a

com#etent #erson)C" Ins#ection an testing of electrical e?ui#ment must be carrie out by acom#etent #erson %ho has the relevant kno%le ge& skills an test instruments to carry out therelevant ins#ection an testing" 'he #erson carrying out any testing of electrical e?ui#ment shoulalso be com#etent to inter#ret the test results of any e?ui#ment they use" 6or e9am#le& a #ersoncarrying out testing un er AS;,FS - 0:2010 must be:a license or registere electrician B%hichever a##liesC& or in some *uris ictions& a license electrical ins#ector& or a #erson %ho has successfully com#lete a structure training course an been eemecom#etent in the use of a #ass/fail ty#e #ortable a##liance tester an the visual ins#ection ofelectrical e?ui#ment"

'he training shoul be esigne to ensure& so far as is reasonably #racticable& that on com#letionsuccessful #artici#ants:can use the relevant test e?ui#ment safely an effectivelyun erstan electrical risks an a##reciate the role that ins#ection an testing #lays in ensuringelectrical safetyun erstan AS;,FS - 0:2010 an AS;,FS 012:2010 Bif testing e?ui#ment for construction or

emolition sitesC

un erstan the legal re?uirements relevant to the %ork"

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Some kin s of electrical testing must only be carrie out by a license electrician or electricalins#ector un er local electrical safety la%s" 6or e9am#le& testing re?uiring the ismantling ofelectrical e?ui#ment shoul only be carrie out by a license electrician"

A itional or ifferent com#etencies may be re?uire for more com#le9 kin s of testing outsi e thesco#e of AS;,FS - 0:2010"

If in oubt& a vice shoul be obtaine from a #erson ?ualifie an e9#erience in electricale?ui#ment testing& for e9am#le an electrician& electrical contractor& electrical ins#ector& s#ecialisttesting #rovi er 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 & #ermanentlyremove 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 testingthe ate of the testingthe 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 recor s have the a vantage of:ensuring there is a #ermanent recor of ins#ection an testing Bfor e9am#le& as a backu# if tagsare amage or remove Cfacilitating internal au itallo%ing more etaile information to be recor e "

0ag If the recor of testing is a tag& it shoul be urable& %ater resistant& non/metallic& self/a hesive or%ell/secure & inca#able of re/use an have a bright& istinctive surface"

'he tag may also be colour/co e to i entify the month in %hich the testing %as carrie out"

A tag may not inclu e all of the re?uire information" In that case& the rest of the re?uireinformation must be recor e 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 thatrecor s of testing can clearly i entify the relevant e?ui#ment"

1.1$ Ins&ectin% and testin% e*$i&ment 9 constr$ction and demo ition sites

R ,2/ A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking that inclu es the carrying out of construction%ork must com#ly %ith AS;,FS 012:2010 Electrical installations 1 !onstruction and demolitionsites "

AS;,FS 012:2010 a##lies as if any term that is efine in that Stan ar an that is also efine inthe 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 Stan ar an Part "- of the WES Regulations then it issufficient that the #erson com#lies %ith AS;,FS 012:2010"

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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 con uctorsinternal #arts of electrical e?ui#mente9ternal #arts of electrical e?ui#ment that have become energise because of an internal faultmetallic or other con uctive e?ui#ment that has ina vertently become live"

$ontact %ith earth occurs through normal bo y contact %ith the groun or earthe metal #arts"

Serious in*uries an fatalities may be #revente by the use of #ro#erly installe an maintaineresi ual current evices R$5s& commonly referre to as safety s%itches)" An R$5 is an electricalsafety evice esigne to imme iately s%itch off the su##ly of electricity %hen electricity leaking)to earth is etecte at harmful levels" R$5s offer high levels of #ersonal #rotection from electricshock"

R$5s %ork by continuously com#aring the current flo% in both the active Bsu##lyC an neutralBreturnC con uctors of an electrical circuit" If the current flo% becomes sufficiently unbalance &some of the current in the active con uctor is not returning through the neutral con uctor an isleaking to earth" R$5s are esigne to ?uickly isconnect the electricity su##ly %hen they senseharmful leakage& ty#ically 0 milliam#s or less" 'his ensures an electrical leak is etecte an theelectricity su##ly is isconnecte before it can cause serious in*ury or amage"

While R$5s significantly re uce the risk of electric shock they o not #rovi e #rotection in allcircumstances" 6or e9am#le& an R$5 %ill not trigger off electricity su##ly if a #erson contacts bothactive an neutral con uctors %hile han ling faulty #lugs or electrical e?ui#ment an electricityflo%s through the #erson)s bo y& unless there is also a current flo% to earth"

hen RC!s must "e provided for use in workplaces

R+ ,2- A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must ensure& so far as is reasonably#racticable& that any electrical risk associate %ith the su##ly of electricity to #lug in) electricale?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 #rovi e an R$5 in thehigher risk %ork#laces:If electricity is su##lie to the e?ui#ment re?uiring an R$5 through a socket outlet not e9cee ing20 am#s the R$5 must have a tri##ing current that oes not e9cee 0 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 #rovi e through an isolating transformer that #rovi es at least an e?uivalent level of #rotection&or is #rovi e from a non/earthe socket outlet su##lie by an isolate %in ing #ortable generatorthat #rovi es at least an e?uivalent level of #rotection"

!onstruction and demolition sites

=ou must com#ly %ith AS;,FS 012:2010 in relation to R$5 re?uirements for construction anemolition sites *

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R$5 re?uirements only a##ly in relation to %ork#laces %here electrical e?ui#ment su##lie %ithelectricity through a socket outlet B#lug/in electrical e?ui#mentC is use or may be use in certainhigher/risk %ork#laces" 'hese are %ork#laces %ith o#erating con itions %here:the normal use of electrical e?ui#ment e9#oses the e?ui#ment to o#erating con itions that arelikely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a re uction in its e9#ecte life s#an& inclu ingcon itions that involve e9#osure to moisture& heat& vibration& mechanical amage& corrosivechemicals or ustelectrical e?ui#ment is move bet%een ifferent locations in circumstances %here amage to thee?ui#ment or to a fle9ible electricity su##ly cor is reasonably likelyelectrical e?ui#ment is fre?uently move uring its normal useelectrical 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 inclu e:han /hel electrical e?ui#ment& for e9am#le rills& sa%s& hair ryers& curling %an s an electricknives

electrical e?ui#ment that is move %hile in o#eration& inclu ing *ackhammers& electric la%nmo%ers& floor #olishers an e9tension cor selectrical e?ui#ment that is move bet%een *obs in %ays that coul result in amage to thee?ui#ment& for e9am#le electric %el ers& electric cement mi9ers& #ortable bench sa%s ane9tension cor s"

A itional R$5 re?uirements may be inclu e in AS;,FS 000:200-& local buil ing an electricalsafety la%s"

#ther legal requirements

A itional R$5 re?uirements may be inclu e in local buil ing an electrical safety la%s"

$on-porta"le %or &fi'ed() and porta"le RC!s

,on/#ortable Bor fi9e )C R$5s are R$5s that are installe at either the s%itchboar Bsee 6igure 1 Cor a fi9e socket outlet Bsee 6igure 2 C"

,on/#ortable R$5s installe at the main s%itchboar #rotect the %iring connecte to the R$5 anelectrical e?ui#ment #lugge into the #rotecte circuit"

,on/#ortable R$5s installe at a fi9e socket outlet #rovi e #rotection to electrical e?ui#ment#lugge into the outlet"


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23/60

Inspecting and testing RC!s

R+ ,27 A #erson %ith management or control of a %ork#lace must take all reasonable ste#s toensure that resi ual 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#oseof"

AS;,FS 012:2010 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 thatR$5s use at the %ork#lace are teste regularly by a com#etent #erson" 'his re?uirement coversR$5s use in all o#erating environments inclu ing non/#ortable Bor fi9e )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 inclu e #ortable R$5s& are e9#laine in Section of this $o e"

6or gui ance on a##roval an test s#ecifications& see AS;,FS 1!0: Approval and testspecification 1 Residual current devices*

*esting new porta"le RC!s

A ne% #ortable R$5 unit shoul be teste by #ressing the tri# test) button to ensure the R$5is effective"

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PART B:

ELECTRICAL WORK

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MANAGING THE RISKS OF ELECTRICAL WORK

'he WES Regulations o not mo ify& su##lement or other%ise change licensing or registrationre?uirements B%hichever a##liesC un er electrical licensing la%s"

R+ ,-2 =ou must take all reasonable ste#s to ensure that electrical %ork that is re?uire to beun ertaken by a license or registere electrical %orker is un ertaken by a %orker that meets therelevant licensing or registration re?uirements"

1.12 W!at is e ectrica 5or"#

E ectrica 5or" means:connecting electricity su##ly %iring to electrical e?ui#ment or isconnecting electricity su##ly %iringfrom electrical e?ui#mentinstalling& removing& a ing& testing& re#lacing& re#airing& altering or maintaining electricale?ui#ment or an electrical installation"

8lectrical %ork oes not inclu e:%ork that involves connecting electrical e?ui#ment to an electricity su##ly by means of a fle9iblecor #lug an socket outlet%ork on a non/electrical com#onent of electrical e?ui#ment if the #erson carrying out the %ork isnot e9#ose to an electrical riskre#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 bulbsCassembling& making& mo ifying or re#airing electrical e?ui#ment as #art of a manufacturing#rocess

buil ing or re#airing ucts& con uits or troughs %here electrical %iring is or %ill be installe if:the ucts& con uits or troughs are not inten e to be earthethe %iring is not energise & anthe %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& anthe 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 or er to meeteligibility re?uirements in relation to becoming a license electrician"

8lectrical %ork oes not inclu e %ork on electrical e?ui#ment that is o#erate by electricity ate9tra/lo% voltage e9ce#t:electrical e?ui#ment that is #art of an electrical installation that is locate in an area in %hich theatmos#here #resents a risk to health an safety from fire or e9#losionin relation to electrical e?ui#ment that is #art of an active im#resse current catho ic #rotectionsystem %ithin the meaning of AS 2. 2"1:200 "

1.1# Identif) t!e !a4ards

See Section 1" of this $o e"

1.14 Assess t!e ris"s

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A risk assessment involves consi ering %hat coul ha##en if someone is e9#ose to a ha@ar anthe likelihoo of it ha##ening" Risks associate %ith electrical %ork may arise from:the #ro#erties of electricity" 8lectricity is #articularly ha@ar ous because electrical currents are notvisible an o not have any smell or sounho% an %here the electrical %ork is carrie out" 8lectrical %ork may be carrie out in ifficult

con itions& inclu ing in %et %eather con itions& confine s#aces an in atmos#heres that #resent arisk to health an safety from fire or e9#losionthe com#etence of the #ersons carrying out the electrical %ork"

If energise or live) electrical %ork is #ro#ose to be carrie out& a risk assessment must beun ertaken before the %ork starts an it must be carrie out by a com#etent #erson an recor e "6or more information about energise electrical %ork& see Section - of this $o e *

'he follo%ing risk factors associate %ith carrying out electrical %ork shoul be consi ere :sources of electrical risks& inclu ing energy levels at the %ork#lacethe 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 #racticesthe ty#e of #lant& machinery an e?ui#ment to be useavailability of suitable test instrumentsavailability of #ro#erly rate PP8the %ork#lace an %orking environment& for e9am#le:

%et %eather con itions

in an aroun trenches& #its an un ergroun ucts

la ers& scaffol s& #ortable #ole #latforms& elevating %ork #latforms& #oles an to%ers

confine s#aces

ability to safely rescue #ersonsthe com#etence of #eo#le carrying out the %ork& noting that licensing re?uirements may a##ly forthe electrical %ork un er local electrical safety la%s"

Also consi er in ivi ual %orkers) nee s& for e9am#le:Is the %orker e9#erience in& an have they been #ro#erly traine for& the %orking con itions>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 con uctor 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 me ication that may increase their vulnerability to %ork in electricalenvironments>Is the %orker %orking e9cessively long hours>5oes the %orker suffer from claustro#hobia>

A##en i9 $ may be use to assist %ith i entifying ha@ar s an assessing risks in carrying outelectrical %ork"

1.15 Contro t!e ris"s

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nce ha@ar s have been i entifie an the risks assesse & a##ro#riate control measures must be#ut in #lace" 8lectrical safety generally e#en s on a##ro#riate training& %ork #lanning& an correcttesting #roce ures an techni?ues"

'he %ays of controlling risks are ranke from the highest level of #rotection an reliability to thelo%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& sofar as is reasonably #racticable" 'his may involve a single control measure or a combination of t%oor more ifferent controls"

Elimination

'he most effect control measure is to remove the ha@ar or ha@ar ous %ork #ractice" 6or e9am#le&%orking e/energise rather than energise eliminates significant electrical risks" 'hat is %hy theWES Regulations #rohibit energise electrical %ork sub*ect to certain e9ce#tions"

Su,stitution

Re#lacing a ha@ar ous #rocess or material %ith one that is less ha@ar ous %ill re uce 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 #ermissiblereasonsC to %ork on an energise electrical #art& it may be #ossible to e/energise the surroun ing#arts"

Isolation

Preventing %orkers from coming into contact %ith the source of the electrical ha@ar %ill re uce therelevant risks"

Engineering controls

(se engineering control measures to minimise the risk& for e9am#le insulation& guar ing aninstalling resi ual current evices to #revent electric shock"

Administrative controls A ministrative controls involve the use of safe %ork #ractices to control the risk& for e9am#le the#rovision of suitable an a e?uate training& establishing e9clusion @ones& use of #ermits an%arning signs"

"ersonal protective e uipment .""E/

PP8 inclu es #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 PP8must be able to #rotect the user from the ma9imum #ros#ective energy available at the %ork site"

A ministrative controls an PP8 o nothing to change the ha@ar itself" 'hey rely on #eo#lebehaving as e9#ecte an re?uire a high level of su#ervision" 89clusive reliance on a ministrative

controls an PP8 must only occur %here other measures are not reasonably #racticable or as aninterim control %hile the #referre control measure is being im#lemente " See regulation of theWES Regulations"

Eo%ever& a ministrative controls such as #rocurement an #ersonnel #olicies an #roce ures arevery im#ortant in relation to electrical risks& as they %ill hel# to ensure that electrical %ork is carrieout by a ?ualifie electrician as re?uire by la%"

=ou shoul check that your chosen control measure oes not intro uce ne% ha@ar s"

1.1( Revie5 t!e contro meas$res

See Section 1"- of this $o e"

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RISK CONTROLS WORKING DE ENERGISED

8lectrical %ork B%hether energise or e/energise C must only be carrie out by a##ro#riatelylicense or registere electrical %orkers"

6or more information about the a##licable electrical licensing or registration la%s contact the local

regulator in the relevant *uris iction"

1.17 Genera &rinci& es 9 verification of de0ener%ised e ectrica e*$i&ment

R+ ,7>0,72 A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must ensure that electrical %ork is notcarrie out on electrical e?ui#ment %hile the e?ui#ment is energise & sub*ect to the #rescribee9ce#tions iscusse in Section of this $o e"

'hese #rovisions o not a##ly to %ork carrie out by or on behalf of electricity su##ly authorities onthe electrical e?ui#ment& inclu ing line/associate e?ui#ment& controlle or o#erate by theauthority to generate& transform& transmit or su##ly electricity" 'his e9em#tion oes not e9ten tothe electricity generation sector"

A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking 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 acom#etent #erson to etermine %hether or not it is energise "

'he #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must ensure that:each e9#ose #art is treate as energise until it is isolate an etermine not to be energise &aneach high/voltage e9#ose #art is earthe after being e/energise "

A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must ensure that electrical e?ui#ment that hasbeen e/energise to allo% for electrical %ork to be carrie out cannot be ina vertently re/energise "

'he safe %ork #roce ure '8S' 6 R 58A5) +86 R8 = ( ' ($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 allcon uctors an electrical com#onents are energise until they have been #roven e/energise "

'esting for ea ) must be un ertaken as a##ro#riate for the uration of the electrical %ork" 'estingis un ertaken #rior to touching& taking into account all relevant factors inclu ing the nature of thecon uctor& nature of the isolation& nature of %ork& if there has been a change or the area has beenleft i le Bunatten e C for a #erio "

'he testing metho Binclu ing the tester use C must be safe an effective" 'he electrical %orkercarrying out the testing must un erstan testing #roce ures an be com#etent in the use of thetester"

Panel voltmeters shoul not be use as the only metho of etermining %hether an electrical #artis e/energise "

If voltage testers are use they shoul be teste for correct o#eration imme iately before use anagain after use to confirm that the instrument is still %orking" 'his check shoul be consi ere tobe #art of the '8S' 6 R 58A5) +86 R8 = ( ' ($E) safe %ork #roce ure"

If there are any e9#ose con uctors in the imme iate %ork area they shoul be se#arate byesign or segregate an #rotecte %ith insulate barrica es& insulate shrou ing or insulate

material to #revent against ina vertent or irect contact"

6or more information about testing instruments see $ha#ter of this $o e"

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1.1! Safe 5or" met!od statements

R+ ,2, A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must ensure that electrical %ork onenergise electrical e?ui#ment is carrie out in accor ance %ith a safe %ork metho statement"

Safe %ork metho statements are re?uire in relation to #rescribe high risk construction %ork)& ina ition to energise electrical %ork" 6or more information about safe %ork metho statements seeSection 1"2 of this $o e an for high risk construction %ork) see the !ode of "ractice#!onstruction Work*

1.1' Wor" on cab es :inc $din% c$ttin% cab es;

Where %ork is to be carrie out on a cable& the cable shoul be e/energise "

$ables must be treate as energise an the #roce ures for %orking on energise electricale?ui#ment follo%e until #ositive tests can be ma e that #rove the cable is e/energise "

If the cable)s connections are e9#ose the connections an attache live #arts shoul be #rove tobe e/energise an i entifie before %ork starts"

$utting cables #resents #articular risks" +oth en s of the cable shoul be checke for isolation#rior to cutting" Schematic iagrams or as built) iagrams shoul be checke carefully to establishsecon ary or metering circuits in multi/core cables #rior to cutting"

A itional #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 secon arycurrent from a current transformer is #resent" 'his risk may not be initially a##arentK that is& thecable cutters may not be amage %hen the cable is cut" A high voltage may evelo# across theo#en/circuite secon ary %in ing causing an electric shock& arcing or a fault at a later stage"

5e#en ing on the situation& alternative #recautions may inclu e:using a cable s#iking or stabbing evice that is fit for #ur#osea combination of #roving it is e/energise an #hysically tracing the cable"

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LOW "OLTAGE ISOLATION AND ACCESS

Working e/energise on lo% voltage electrical e?ui#ment or circuits re?uires the electricale?ui#ment or circuits to be effectively isolate from all relevant sources of electricity su##ly" 'hismay be one using o#ening s%itches& removing fuses or links& o#ening circuit breakers orremoving circuit connections"

'he stan ar 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 asa##ro#riate

Iso ation i entifying the circuitBsC re?uiring isolationisconnecting active con uctors 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 boar s

if a removable or rack out circuit breaker or combine fuse s%itch is use itshoul & if reasonably #racticable& be racke out or remove then locke o#enan anger tagge

Sec$rin% t!eiso ation

locking the isolating s%itchBesC %here #racticable or removing an tying backrelevant con uctors to #rotect the #ersonBsC carrying out the electrical %ork

Ta%%in% tagging the s%itching #oints %here #ossible to #rovi e general information to#eo#le at the %ork#lace

Testin% testing to confirm the relevant circuits have been e/energise an any otherrelevant con uctors in the %ork area

Re0testin% asnecessar)

for e9am#le& if the #erson carrying out the %ork tem#orarily leaves theimme iate area& checks an tests must be carrie out on their return to ensurethat the electrical e?ui#ment being %orke on is still isolate to safeguaragainst ina vertent reconnection by another #ersonfor e9am#le& if a %ire changes its status %hen cut& %hich can occur because itis lifte from earth"

'he effectiveness of isolation #roce ures relies on:isolation #oints being rea ily available;accessible an being suitable for the ty#e of isolationBs%itchingC being con uctethe necessary har %arehaving isolation #roce ures ocumente an accessible to electrical %orkers in the %ork#lacethe #rovision of instruction& information an training of electrical %orkers involve %ith the electrical

e?ui#menta##ro#riate su#ervision to ensure safe %ork #roce ures& inclu ing isolation #roce ures& arefollo%e "

Safe isolation #roce ures Binclu ing the use of locks an tags iscusse belo%C shoul beevelo#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"

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1.2$ Sec$rin% t!e iso ation

R+ ,72 A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must ensure that electrical e?ui#ment thathas been e/energise to allo% electrical %ork to be carrie out on it is not ina vertently 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 isi entifie & an a##ro#riate means of isolation is use an the su##ly cannot be ina vertently re/energise %hile the %ork is carrie out"

A fun amental #rinci#le is that the #oint of isolation shoul be un er the control of the #erson %hois carrying out the %ork on the isolate con uctors"

'agging systems shoul also be use at the #ointBsC of isolation %here #ossible for generalinformation"

'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 #rovi e to ensure thatelectrical e?ui#ment that has been e/energise to allo% electrical %ork to be carrie out is notina vertently re/energise " 'his inclu es a##ro#riate instruction& information an training onisolation #roce ures 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 frombeing ina vertently re/energise " 'he control mechanism shoul re?uire a eliberate action toengage or isengage the evice" It shoul be able to %ithstan con itions that coul lea to theisolation failing& for e9am#le vibration"

'his may inclu e s%itches %ith a built/in lock an lock/outs for s%itches& circuit breakers& fuses ansafety lock/out *a%s Bsometimes calle has#s)C"

All circuit breakers& s%itches an combine fuse s%itch units shoul be locke off to secure theisolation %here #ossible" See 6igure 3 for e9am#les of locking/off metho s incor#orating angertags"

Alternative controls may inclu e an a itional com#onent& for e9am#le a cli#& scre%& bolt or #in thatcan be inserte to #revent a s%itch from being o#erate " 'hese ty#es of controls shoul be use incon*unction %ith a itional control measures& such as anger tags an #ermit systems"

If more than one #erson is %orking on the same e/energise electrical installation& in ivi ualsshoul ensure their o%n #ersonal lock is a##lie to the isolation #oint& other%ise the #rinci#les oftagging a##ly Bsee belo%C"

,o/one shoul o#erate an isolator or kno%ingly use e?ui#ment %here the isolator has a controlmechanism attache "

In situations %here isolation #oints are accessible by other #ersons at the %ork#lace ensure& so faras is reasonably #racticable& that the isolation metho or system is not able to be ina vertently oreasily com#romise "

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5anger tagge locking off has# 5anger tagge circuit breaker locking off evices


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Where a formal #ermit system is use & all reasonable ste#s must be taken to ensure that theesignate sign/on an tagging #roce ures are follo%e "

Out of service tags

ut of service or caution tags are use to i entify electrical e?ui#ment that is not safe to use or fitfor #ur#ose" 'he out of service or caution tag shoul :

be urable an securely attacheclearly state the nature of the efect or reason %hy the electrical e?ui#ment is unsafebe attache on a #rominent #osition on each isolation #ointonly be remove by a com#etent #erson after fi9ing or rectifying the efect an making theelectrical e?ui#ment safe& or re#lacing %ith a anger tag in #re#aration to %ork on the e?ui#ment"


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1.22 Restorin% &o5er

All reasonable ste#s must be taken to ensure that restoring electricity su##ly follo%ing isolationoes not #ose risks to health an safety at the %ork#lace" 6or e9am#le:

a##ro#riately terminating all con uctorscarrying out a##ro#riate testing on any ne%& altere or re#aire electrical e?ui#ment& for e9am#letests for insulation resistance& earth continuity& #olarity& correct connection an function testingremoving safeguar s& inclu ing tem#orary bon s an short/circuiting evicesnotifying all %orkers %orking on the electrical e?ui#ment an other affecte %orkers at the%ork#lace that electricity is to be restoretaking #recautions as a##ro#riate to ensure that other electrical e?ui#ment is not ina vertentlyenergisefollo%ing #roce ures for removing any locks Bor other control mechanismsC& tags& notices ansafety signs

carrying out a visual ins#ection to ensure that all tools& sur#lus material an %aste has beenremove from the %ork#lace"

When electricity is restore tests must be carrie out to confirm that #olarity is correct& actives ares%itche an & %here a##licable& #hase se?uences are correct before electrical e?ui#ment is use "6or further information refer to AS;,FS 01-: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 inclu ing& for e9am#le& by:terminating any e9#ose con uctors#hysically securing any e9#ose con uctors or surroun ing metal %ork

tagging& ta#ing off the electrical e?ui#ment an the %ork#lace areainforming affecte #ersons at the %ork#lace the %ork is not com#lete an a vising of #otentialha@ar staking any necessary #recautions to ensure that electrical e?ui#ment cannot become ina vertentlyre/energiseensuring that the status of s%itchboar s an electrical e?ui#ment are clearly an correctly labellehan ing over a e?uate information to %orkers taking u# the unfinishe %ork to allo% them tocontinue the %ork safely"

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RISK CONTROLS ENERGISED ELECTRICAL WORK

1.24 Pro!ibition on ener%ised e ectrica 5or"

R+ ,7> and ,7. A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking carrying out electrical %ork mustensure 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 thee?ui#ment is energise Be"g" it may be necessary for life/saving e?ui#ment to remain energisean 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 or er for the %ork tobe 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 byregulation 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 oron behalf of electricity su##ly authorities on the electrical e?ui#ment& inclu ing line/associatee?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 electricale?ui#ment being %orke on is connecte to electricity or energise )"

8lectrical %ork must not be carrie out on electrical e?ui#ment %hile energise only because it ismerely more convenient for the electrical e?ui#ment to stay energise %hile the %ork is beingcarrie out"

8nergise electrical %ork must not be carrie out unless the safety risk to those #ersons irectlyaffecte 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" nly in e9tremely rare circumstances

%oul it be #ossible to *ustify that it is not #racticable to have a short break in su##ly" ostelectrical installations suffer no harm through un#lanne interru#tions of this kin to the net%orksu##ly" In some cases a short break may allo% for the insertion Ban removalC of insulate barriers"

A Person con ucting a business or un ertaking re?uiring electrical %ork to be carrie out may#rovi e o#erational reasons a##earing to *ustify energise electrical %ork" Re?uiring electrical %orkto be carrie out %hile the e?ui#ment is energise %hen it coul be avoi e #laces an onerousres#onsibility on the business or un ertaking commissioning the %ork to minimise the risks" Shoulan inci ent occur as a result of carrying out energise electrical %ork& the business or un ertakingcommissioning the %ork is at risk of being foun not to have #rovi e a safe %ork#lace" 'his coulcontravene the #rimary uty of care un er the WES Act"

8nergise electrical %ork is generally #rohibite unless one or more of the e9ce#tions un er theWES Regulations a##lies an the %ork is carrie out in accor ance %ith the WES Regulations"

1.25 P annin% and &re&aration

R+ ,71 If electrical %ork is to be carrie out on energise electrical e?ui#ment a #erson con uctinga business or un ertaking must ensure before the %ork commences that:a risk assessment is con ucte by a com#etent #erson in relation to the #ro#ose %ork anrecor ethe area %here the electrical %ork is to be carrie out is clear of obstructions so as to allo% foreasy access an e9itthe #oint at %hich the electrical e?ui#ment can be isconnecte or isolate from its electricity

su##ly is:/ clearly marke or labelle & an

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/ cleare of obstructions so as to allo% for easy access an e9it by the %orker %ho is to carryout the electrical %ork or any other com#etent #erson& an

/ ca#able of being o#erate ?uicklythe #erson authorises the electrical %ork after consulting %ith the #erson %ith management orcontrol of the %ork#lace"

Re?uirements relating to the #oint of su##ly un er the thir ot #oint above o not a##ly if the %orkis to be carrie out on the su##ly si e of the main s%itch on the main s%itchboar for thee?ui#ment an the #oint at %hich the e?ui#ment can be isconnecte from its electricity su##ly isnot reasonably accessible from the %ork location"

Risk assessments

See Section 1"1 for information on assessing the risks"

In a ition to the liste consi erations& the assessment shoul be esigne to check com#liance%ith the legislative re?uirements escribe above"

6or energise electrical %ork& any significant fin ings shoul be recor e & revie%e from time totime an revise if necessary" See Section 1"- of this $o e for a escri#tion of triggers for revie%"

Consultation "etween duty holders

All #ersons con ucting a business or un ertaking at a %ork#lace have a uty to manage electricalrisks at the %ork#lace %hile electrical %ork is being carrie out& not *ust those carrying out theelectrical %ork"

8lectrical %ork %ill often be carrie out at a #lace that is not un er the management or control ofthe #erson con ucting the business or un ertaking carrying out the electrical %ork" 6or e9am#le&the #lace %here %ork is carrie out may be un er the management or control of:if the #lace is a #ermanent %ork#laceDthe #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking from that

%ork#laceif 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 %orkerBsCan other #ersons at the #lace %here the electrical %ork is being carrie out"

All uty hol ers must& so far as is reasonably #racticable& consult& coo#erate an coor inateactivities %ith each other to ensure com#liance %ith their %ork health an safety uties"

In a ition to the general uty to consult& the #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking carryingout the electrical %ork must ensure the electrical %ork is only authorise Bamong other thingsC afterconsulting %ith the #erson %ith management or control of the %ork#lace"

$onsultation shoul ensure that all relevant #ersons are a%are of any sche ule 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 a e?uate information an instruction& for e9am#le aboutthe nee to com#ly %ith %arning or safety signs an stay out of any no go @ones"

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Residential premises

ccu#iers of resi ential #remises Bas a #erson at a %ork#laceC must take reasonable care thattheir acts or omissions o not a versely affect the health or safety of other #ersons& inclu ing that

of electrical %orkers at their #remises"

1.2( Carr)in% o$t ener%ised e ectrica 5or"

R+ ,2, A #erson con ucting a business or un ertaking must ensure that electrical %ork carrie outon 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 or er in accor ance %ith a safe %ork metho statement #re#are for the %ork& ansub*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 resuscitatea #erson"

A safety observer is not re?uire if the %ork consists only of testing an the risk assessment sho%sthere 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 theelectrical %ork uses the tools& testing e?ui#ment an PP8 #ro#erly"

A itionally:%orkers carrying out the electrical %ork must have or be #rovi e %ith suitable an a e?uate

information& instruction an training in:#lanning an #re#aration re?uirements for the carrying out of energise electrical %ork

safe %ork #roce ures& #articularly those ocumente in safe %ork metho statements

#ro#er use of the relevant tools& testing e?ui#ment an PP8first ai facilities must be #rovi e at the %ork#lace an they must be rea ily accessibleemergency contact numbers shoul be ma e available at the %ork#lacefire fighting e?ui#ment that is suitable for electrical fires shoul be accessiblethe #erson %ith management or control of the %ork#lace must be consulte before the electrical%ork is authoriseenergise con uctors shoul be insulate %here necessary to #revent ina vertent contact orflashoversunauthorise #ersons shoul be #revente from entering the %ork area& for e9am#le through theuse of barriers an signage"

any of these re?uirements re?uire consultation& coo#eration an coor ination bet%een multi#leuty hol ers at the %ork#lace"

Safe %ork metho statements #re#are for energise electrical %ork must escribe consultationarrangements %ith the #erson %ith management or control of the %ork#lace& inclu ing anyauthorisation #roce ures an #osition escri#tions"

afe work method statements

Safe %ork metho statements ocument a #rocess for i entifying an controlling health an safetyha@ar s an risks" 'hey may also incor#orate a risk assessment"

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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 thatre#resentative"

Safe %ork metho statements must: i entify the electrical %ork

s#ecify the ha@ar s associate %ith that electrical %ork an risks associate %ith thoseha@ar s

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 inclu e the risk assessment #re#are for the relevant %ork"

Safe %ork metho statements must be %ritten in a %ay that makes them rea ily un erstan able bythe %orkers %ho are to use them"

A co#y must be rea ily accessible to any %orker %ho is to carry out the electrical %ork covere bythe statement"

Safe %ork metho statements must be ke#t u#/to/ ate" 'hey must&a

managing electrical risk

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