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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 '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 territorieshave res#onsibility for regulating an enforcing %ork health an safety la%s in their *urisiction"

IS+, !-./0/2/-.2!/3 4P567

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 uner 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 aa#t the %ork for non commercial #ur#oses&as long as you attribute the %ork to Safe Work Australia an abie by the other licence terms"

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Tabe of Contents

FOREWORD 5

SCOPE AND APPLICATION 5

1. INTRODUCTION 71.1 What are electrical risks> -1.2 Who must manage electrical risks> -1.3 What is re?uire to manage electrical risks> .

PART A:GENERAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE 11

2. THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS 122.1 Ientify the ha@ars 122.2 Assess the risks 122.3 $ontrol the risks 1

2.4 Revie% the control measures 1

3. SPECIFIC HAZARDS AND RISK CONTROL 153.1 (nsafe electrical e?ui#ment an electrical installations at the %ork#lace 133.2 Ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment 13.3 Ins#ecting an testing e?ui#ment construction an emolition sites 1!3.4 Resiual current evices BR$5sC 20

PART B: ELECTRICAL WORK 24

4. MANAGING THE RISKS OF ELECTRICAL WORK 254.1 What is electrical %ork> 234.2 Ientify the ha@ars 234.3 Assess the risks 2

4.4 $ontrol the risks 2-4.5 Revie% the control measures 2-

5. RISK CONTROLS WORKING DE!ENERGISED 2"5.1 General #rinci#les verification of e/energise electrical e?ui#ment 2.

5.2 Safe %ork metho statements 2!5.3 Work on cables Bincluing cutting cablesC 2!

#. LOW $OLTAGE ISOLATION AND ACCESS 3%6.1 Securing the isolation 16.2 Altering isolation for testing& fault fining an re/energising 6.3 Restoring #o%er

6.4 Leaving unfinishe %ork

7. RISK CONTROLS ENERGISED ELECTRICAL WORK357.1 Prohibition on energise electrical %ork 37.2 Planning an #re#aration 37.3 $arrying out energise electrical %ork -7.4 Leaving unfinishe %ork 0

7.5 Particular energise electrical %orkDtesting an fault fining 1

". RISK CONTROLS WORKING NEAR ENERGISED ELECTRICAL PARTS

428.1 Planning an #re#aration 28.2

Working near energise electrical #arts 28.3 Im#lementing risk control measures

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8.4 Revie%ing risk control measures

&. TOOLS AND E'UIPMENT 449.1 Ins#ection an testing9.2 Laers& scaffols an similar e?ui#ment

9.3 Insulating barriers an insulating mats 3

9.4 'est instruments 39.5 Personal #rotective e?ui#ment BPP8C 9.6 6irst Ai -

1%. HIGH $OLTAGE ELECTRICAL WORK 4"

APPENDI( A MEANING OF KEY TERMS 4&

APPENDI( B AD$ANTAGES AND DISAD$ANTAGES OF NON!PORTABLE

AND PORTABLE RCDS 5%

APPENDI( C RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRICAL WORK53

APPENDI( D PRE$ENTATI$E ACTIONS CHECKLIST 5&

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FOREWORD

'his $oe of Practice on ho% to manage electrical risks in %ork#laces is an a##rove coe of#ractice uner section 2- 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 Actan the Work Eealth an Safety Regulations Bthe WESRegulationsC"

A coe of #ractice a##lies to anyone %ho has a uty of care in the circumstances escribe in thecoe" In most cases& follo%ing an a##rove coe of #ractice %oul achieve com#liance %ith thehealth an safety uties in the WES Act& in relation to the sub*ect matter of the coe" Likeregulations& coes of #ractice eal %ith #articular issues an o not cover all ha@ars or risks thatmay 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" $ourtsmay 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 %hichthe 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 %orkhealth 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 #racticeuner the $ouncil of Australian Governments) Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory andOperational Reform in Occupational Health and Safetyfor ao#tion by the $ommon%ealth& statean territory governments"

SCOPE AND APPLICATION

'his $oe #rovies #ractical guiance for #ersons conucting a business or unertaking onmanaging electrical risks in the %ork#lace" It a##lies to all %ork#laces %here a #erson conuctinga 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 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 $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

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%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

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 $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?uirementsfor 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 shoul) is use in this $oe to inicate a recommene course ofaction& %hile may) is use to inicate an o#tional course of action"

'his $oe also inclues various references to #rovisions of the WES Act an Regulations %hichset out the legal re?uirements" 'hese references are not e9haustive" 'he %ors must)& re?uires) ormanatory) inicate that a legal re?uirement e9ists an must be com#lie %ith"

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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 unertaking com#lies %ith the WES Act an Regulations" 'his inclues takingreasonable 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"ersmust take reasonable care for their o%n health an safety an not aversely affect thehealth an safety of other #ersons" Workers must com#ly %ith any reasonable instruction ancoo#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 orunertaking& 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 safetylegislation"

1.3 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 safetyassociate %ith electrical risks at the %ork#lace"

R+ /-0/1In 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 2"of this $oe"

'his $oe inclues guiance on ho% to manage electrical risks in the %ork#lace by follo%ing asystematic #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#ressvie%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 arelikely to beC irectly affecte by a %ork health an safety matter"

S+-1If the %orkers are re#resente by a health an safety re#resentative& the consultation must

involve 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%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+ -2A #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 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 coorinate %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 guiance on consultation is available in the !ode of "ractice# Work Health and Safety!onsultation+ !ooperation and !oordination"

Information, training, instruction and supervision

S+ ,3A #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 suitablean 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 instructionis #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 oftraining are:

inuction trainingDto ensure ne% starters or %orkers ne% to a *ob are traine on safesystems 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

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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 anelivery of training& incluing literacy levels& %ork e9#erience an s#ecific skills re?uire tocarry out the %ork"

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PART A:

GENERAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY AT THE WORKPLACE

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2. THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

2.1 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 itse9#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& #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 confines#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 meicalconition" =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"

2.2 Assess t!e ris"s

Risk assessment involves consiering %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 $oe"

A risk assessment can hel# etermine:

the severity of an electrical risk %hether e9isting control measures are effective

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%hat action you shoul take to control an electrical risk

ho% urgently the action nees to be taken"

'o assess the risk associate %ith electrical ha@ars consier:

What is the #otential im#act of the ha@ar>

o Eo% severe coul the electrical ha@ar be> 6or e9am#le& irect contact causingelectrocution& fire or e9#losion causing serious burns or eath"

o Eo% many #eo#le are e9#ose to the ha@ar>

Eo% likely is the ha@ar to cause harm>

o $oul it ha##en at any time or %oul it be a rare event>

o Eo% fre?uently are %orkers e9#ose to the ha@ar>

ther 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"

2.3 Contro t!e ris"s

nce 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 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@arous %ork #ractice" +yesigning/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% 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 reuce therelevant risks"

Engineering controls

(se engineering control measures to minimise the risk& for e9am#le installing resiual currentevices 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#leestablishing e9clusion @ones& use of #ermits an %arning signs"

"ersonal protective euipment .""E/

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PP8 inclues #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 toenergise electrical %ork"

Aministrative 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 aministrative

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"

=ou shoul check that your chosen control measure oes not introuce ne% ha@ars"

2.4 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+ /1A #erson conucting a business or unertaking 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 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 risksin 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>

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3. 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 theo#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 manyheavy 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 anmaintaine"

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 theo#eration has been etermine by a com#etent #erson"

8nsure R$5s are effective by regular testing"

3.1 6nsafe eectrica e*$i&ment and eectrica instaations at t!e 5or"&ace

R+ ,-3A #erson conucting a business or unertaking that has management or control of electricale?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 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 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 atthe %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 ofservice for safety 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 inicating it is unsafe an must not be use" 'his isto #revent inavertent use before the electrical e?ui#ment can be teste& re#aire or re#lace"

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3.2 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 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#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 ofconitions 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 inclues com#uters& #hotoco#iers& stationery or fi9e electricale?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 ins#ection) or testing) e9clues 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 uner Regulation 130Dfor legalre?uirements see Sections "an of this $oe& %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)"

Guiance on ins#ecting an testing electrical e?ui#ment in lo%er/risk o#erating environments isinclue in AS;,FS -0:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical euipmentBifcovere by that StanarC an may also be inclue in the manufacturer)s recommenations"

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

In additionto 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

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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

checking that the current rating of the #lug matches the current rating of the associate

electrical e?ui#ment"

,ote that AS;,FS -0:2010 s#ecifically e9clues meical evices an electrical evices in #atientcare areas" 6or more information see AS;331:200 0echnical management programmes formedical devices orAS;,FS 00:2011Electrical Installations 1 patient areas*

2e( euipment

+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 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 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 service

the ate %hen the first electrical safety test is ue

that the e?ui#ment has not been teste"

6itting a ne% to service) tag is an aministrative 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#erlyins#ecte an teste as re?uire Be"g" the ne% electrical e?ui#ment can be inclue in the ne9troun 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+ ,78A #erson conucting a business or unertaking %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& 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 thee?ui#ment is re?uire to be teste uner these re?uirements but has not been teste" Possibleactions may inclue 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

conitions that are likely to result in amage to the e?ui#ment or a reuction in its e9#ectelife s#an

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construction an emolition sites Bsee Section"of this $oeC"

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'hese o#erating environments have the #otential to seriously affect the safe o#eration of electricale?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 ustyareas& 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 theseo#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 -0:2010 In-service safetyinspection and testing of electrical euipmentan the manufacturer)s recommenations"

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

hire e?ui#ment Be"g" at least once every monthsC"

Hire euipment

Persons conucting a business or unertaking 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 conucting a business or unertaking 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 uner the WES Regulations an this $oe"

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%lege an skills to carry out the task Bi"e" be acom#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%lege& 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 uner AS;,FS -0:2010 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#ectionof electrical 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 effectively

unerstan electrical risks an a##reciate the role that ins#ection an testing #lays in

ensuring electrical safety

unerstan AS;,FS -0:2010 an AS;,FS 012:2010 Bif testing e?ui#ment for

construction or emolition sitesC unerstan the legal re?uirements relevant to the %ork"

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Some kins of electrical testing must only be carrie out by a license electrician or electricalins#ector uner 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"

Aitional or ifferent com#etencies may be re?uire for more com#le9 kins of testing outsie thesco#e of AS;,FS -0:2010"

If in oubt& avice 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 #rovier or relevant regulator"

Recording results of testing

R+ ,78A 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 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?uireinformation 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 thatrecors of testing can clearly ientify the relevant e?ui#ment"

3.3 Ins&ectin% and testin% e*$i&ment 9 constr$ction and demoition sitesR ,2/A #erson conucting a business or unertaking that inclues 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 Stanar 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 Stanar an Part "- of the WES Regulations then it issufficient that the #erson com#lies %ith AS;,FS 012:2010"

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3.4 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 maintaineresiual current evices R$5s& commonly referre to as safety s%itches)" An R$5 is an electricalsafety evice esigne to immeiately 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 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 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 reuce the risk of electric shock they o not #rovie #rotection in allcircumstances" 6or e9am#le& an R$5 %ill not trigger off electricity su##ly if a #erson contacts bothactive 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 #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 #rovie 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

e9ceeing 20 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 #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 012:2010 in relation to R$5 re?uirements for construction an

emolition 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 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 ane9tension cors"

Aitional R$5 re?uirements may be inclue in AS;,FS 000:200-& local builing an electricalsafety 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 fi9e)C R$5s are R$5s that are installe at either the s%itchboar Bsee 6igure 1Cor 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 anelectrical 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"


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Inspecting and testing RC!s

R+ ,27A #erson %ith management or control of a %ork#lace must take all reasonable ste#s toensure 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#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 incluing 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 inclue #ortable R$5s& are e9#laine in Section of this $oe"

6or guiance 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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4. MANAGING THE RISKS OF ELECTRICAL WORK

'he WES Regulations o not moify& su##lement or other%ise change licensing or registrationre?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 beunertaken by a license or registere electrical %orker is unertaken by a %orker that meets therelevant licensing or registration re?uirements"

4.1 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 %orkBe"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:o the ucts& conuits or troughs are not intene to be earthe

o the %iring is not energise& an

o 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:

o the assistant is irectly su#ervise by the license electrician& an

o 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 ate9tra/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 2.2"1:200"

4.2 Identif) t!e !a4ards

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See Section 2"1of this $oe"

4.3 Assess t!e ris"s

A risk assessment involves consiering %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@arous because electrical currentsare 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 inatmos#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 live) electrical %ork is #ro#ose to be carrie out& a risk assessment must beunertaken 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:o %et %eather conitions

o in an aroun trenches& #its an unergroun ucts

o laers& scaffols& #ortable #ole #latforms& elevating %ork #latforms& #oles an to%ers

o confine s#aces

o 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>

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A##eni9 $ may be use to assist %ith ientifying ha@ars an assessing risks in carrying outelectrical %ork"

4.4 Contro t!e ris"s

nce 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 correcttesting #roceures 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 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 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 theWES 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 energiseelectrical %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 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 aninstalling 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 euipment .""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 PP8must 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#lebehaving as e9#ecte an re?uire a high level of su#ervision" 89clusive reliance on aministrativecontrols 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& aministrative controls such as #rocurement an #ersonnel #olicies an #roceures arevery 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"

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4.5 Revie5 t!e contro meas$res

See Section 2"of this $oe"

Page 2! of


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5. RISK CONTROLS WORKING DE!ENERGISED

8lectrical %ork B%hether energise or e/energiseC 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 *urisiction"

5.1 Genera &rinci&es 9 verification of de0ener%ised eectrica e*$i&ment

R+ ,7>0,72A #erson conucting a business or unertaking 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 $oe"

'hese #rovisions o not a##ly to %ork carrie out by or on behalf of electricity su##ly authorities onthe electrical e?ui#ment& incluing 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 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 acom#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 hasbeen e/energise to allo% for electrical %ork to be carrie out cannot be inavertently re/energise"

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

'esting for ea) must be unertaken as a##ro#riate for the uration of the electrical %ork" 'estingis unertaken #rior to touching& taking into account all relevant factors incluing the nature of theconuctor& nature of the isolation& nature of %ork& if there has been a change or the area has beenleft ile BunatteneC for a #erio"

'he testing metho Bincluing the tester useC must be safe an effective" 'he electrical %orkercarrying out the testing must unerstan testing #roceures 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 immeiately before use anagain after use to confirm that the instrument is still %orking" 'his check shoul be consiere tobe #art of the '8S' 6R 58A5) +86R8 =( '($E) safe %ork #roceure"

If there are any e9#ose conuctors in the immeiate %ork area they shoul be se#arate byesign or segregate an #rotecte %ith insulate barricaes& insulate shrouing or insulatematerial to #revent against inavertent or irect contact"

6or more information about testing instruments see $ha#ter !of this $oe"

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5.2 Safe 5or" met!od statements

R+ ,2,A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure that electrical %ork onenergise 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 high risk construction %ork)& inaition to energise electrical %ork" 6or more information about safe %ork metho statements seeSection-"of this $oe an for high risk construction %ork) see the!ode of "ractice#!onstruction Work*

5.3 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 electricale?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 tobe 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 as built) iagrams shoul be checke carefully to establishseconary 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 seconarycurrent 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 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"

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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 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;#hotovoltaicsystems as %ell as au9iliary su##lies from other boars

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 lockeo#en an anger tagge

Sec$rin% t!eisoation

lockingthe 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% asnecessar)

for e9am#le& if the #erson carrying out the %ork tem#orarily leaves theimmeiate area& checks an tests must be carrie out on their return toensure that the electrical e?ui#ment being %orke on is still isolate tosafeguar 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 beevelo#e in consultation %ith relevant %orkers" If the %orkers are re#resente by a health ansafety re#resentative& the consultation must involve that re#resentative"

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#.1 Sec$rin% t!e isoation

R+ ,72A #erson conucting a business or unertaking must ensure that electrical e?ui#ment thathas 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 isientifie& 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 %hois carrying out the %ork on the isolate conuctors"

'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 #rovie to ensure thatelectrical e?ui#ment that has been e/energise to allo% electrical %ork to be carrie out is notinavertently re/energise" 'his inclues a##ro#riate instruction& information an training onisolation #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 frombeing inavertently re/energise" 'he control mechanism shoul re?uire a eliberate action toengage or isengage the evice" It shoul be able to %ithstan conitions that coul lea to theisolation failing& for e9am#le vibration"

'his may inclue 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 3for e9am#les of locking/off methos incor#orating angertags"

Alternative controls may inclue an aitional 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 aitional control measures& such as anger tags an #ermit systems"

If more than one #erson is %orking on the same e/energise electrical installation& iniviualsshoul 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 inavertently oreasily com#romise"

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


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When %ork is finally com#lete& each #erson removes their anger tag an;or lock"

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

Out of service tags

ut of service or caution tags are use to ientify 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 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 thee?ui#ment"


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#.3 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 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 anfunction 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 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"

#.4 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"

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7. RISK CONTROLS ENERGISED ELECTRICAL WORK

7.1 Pro!ibition on ener%ised eectrica 5or"

R+ ,7> and ,7.A #erson conucting a business or unertaking 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

the e?ui#ment is energise Be"g" it may be necessary for life/saving e?ui#ment to remainenergise 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/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 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 %orkto be carrie out %hile the e?ui#ment is energise %hen it coul be avoie #laces an onerousres#onsibility on the business or unertaking commissioning the %ork to minimise the risks" Shoulan incient occur as a result of carrying out energise electrical %ork& the business or unertakingcommissioning the %ork is at risk of being foun not to have #rovie a safe %ork#lace" 'his coulcontravene the #rimary uty of care uner the WES Act"

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

7.2 Pannin% and &re&aration

R+ ,71If electrical %ork is to be carrie out on energise electrical e?ui#ment a #erson conuctinga 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:

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/ clearly marke or labelle& an

/ 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 ?uickly

the #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 uner the thir ot #oint above o not a##ly if the %orkis to be carrie out on the su##ly sie 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 "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 totime an revise if necessary" See Section 2" 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 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 uner the management or control ofthe #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 unertakingfrom 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 %orkerBsCan 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 coorinateactivities %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 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 scheule electrical %ork tobe 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 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 resiential #remises Bas a #erson at a %ork#laceC must take reasonable care thattheir acts or omissions o not aversely affect the health or safety of other #ersons& incluing that

of electrical %orkers at their #remises"

7.3 Carr)in% o$t ener%ised eectrica 5or"

R+ ,2,A #erson conucting a business or unertaking 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 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 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"

Aitionally:

%orkers carrying out the electrical %ork must have or be #rovie %ith suitable an

ae?uate information& instruction an training in:

o #lanning an #re#aration re?uirements for the carrying out of energise electrical %ork

o safe %ork #roceures& #articularly those ocumente in safe %ork metho statements

o #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"

any of these re?uirements re?uire consultation& coo#eration an coorination bet%een multi#leuty holers 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& incluing anyauthorisation #roceures an #osition escri#tions"

afe work method statements

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

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:

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 bythe %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 bythe statement"

Safe %ork metho statements must be ke#t u#/to/ate" 'hey must& for e9am#le& be revise if aecision 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 ientifyha@ars associate %ith electrical %ork an evelo# safe %ork methos"

If the electrical %ork falls %ithin the escri#tion of high risk construction %ork) then the constructionregulations 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 notifiable incient) uner Part of the WES Act occurs in connection %ith the %ork to %hich theassessment or statement relates& the #erson must kee# the assessment or statement Bas the casere?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" ther conuctivematerials 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 shoulbe regare as conuctive" Particular care shoul be taken %hen e9#ose energise #arts arenear earthe situations"

'he electric shock #ath to earth can be via conuctive materials& such as concrete& timber %ith ahigh moisture content or %ater" 6or e9am#le& laers that are am# or irty may becomeconuctive an create a #otential ha@ar"

When %orking near e9#ose energise #arts or %orking energise& the tools an e?ui#ment useshoul be non/conuctive or insulate" 89am#les inclue:

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torches

telesco#ic evices

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"

etallic #ersonal items incluing %atches an %atchbans shoul not be %orn by %orkers carryingout %ork near e9#ose energise #arts" etal ob*ects %orn on or close to the boy increase therisk of electric shock" Aitionally& electrical burns can be more serious because these ob*ectsretain 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" 6ormore 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" 6ore9am#le& safe %ork metho statements shoul re?uire& so far as is reasonably #racticable& thatelectrical %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 electricale?ui#ment& unless the %ork consists only of testing an a risk assessment sho%s that there is noserious risk associate %ith the #ro#ose %ork"

'he role of the safety observer shoul be clearly communicate an unerstoo" 'he safetyobserver 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"

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afety "arriers and signs

+arriers an signs may be esigne& erecte or installe to:

#rotect electrical %orkers from inavertently contacting energise e9#ose #arts

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 #lasticor& alternatively& correctly earthe steel an be strong enough to %ithstan the im#act fromfalling ob*ects or loose material

to e9clue #ersons generally from a %ork a

managing electrical risks in the workplace read only

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