Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010

8/3/2019 Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/electrical-safety-code-of-practice-2010 1/99

Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010Electrical Work

Department o Justice and Attorney-General

Electrical Saety Ofce Queensland



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Contents

Part 1 : Introduction .................................................................................................3

1.1 Application and scope of Code ................................................................................ 3

1.2 Legislative framework ...............................................................................................3

1.3 What is a code of practice? ...................................................................................... 4

1.4 What is this Code about? .......................................................................................... 5

1.5 This Code includes ....................................................................................................5

1.6 This Code does not include ....................................................................................... 6

1.7 How is this Code set out? ......................................................................................... 7

1.8 What is ‘electrical work’? ..........................................................................................7

1.9 Obligations under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 ...................................................... 7

1.10 How can I meet my obligations? .............................................................................. 7

1.11 Defences for failing to meet your electrical safety obligation .................................. 8

1.12 Penalty for failure to meet your electrical safety obligation ..................................... 8

Part 2 : Risk Management .................................................................................... 10

2.1 Risk .......................................................................................................................... 11

2.2 The risk management process ................................................................................11

2.3 Common electrical risks ..........................................................................................14

2.3.1 Electrical risks and causes of injury .............................................................................. 142.4 Instruction, training and supervision ......................................................................15

2.4.1 Types of training ........................................................................................................... 16

Part 3 : Working De-energised ................................................................................17

3.1 Scope .......................................................................................................................17

3.2 Regulatory requirement ...........................................................................................17

3.3 General ....................................................................................................................17

3.4 Low voltage isolation and access .............................................................................18

3.4.1 Switching, de-energising and re-energising .................................................................. 18

3.4.2 Isolating and disconnecting .......................................................................................... 18

3.4.3 Proving de-energised ................................................................................................... 20

3.4.4 Altering isolation for testing, fault finding and energising ........................................... 22

Part 4 : Working Live .............................................................................................. 23

4.1 Scope ...................................................................................................................... 23

4.2 Regulatory requirement ..........................................................................................23

4.3 Important issues when working live ....................................................................... 23

4.3.1 Documentation ............................................................................................................ 23

4.3.2 Conductive materials ................................................................................................... 244.3.3 Work position .............................................................................................................. 24

4.3.4 Safety observer (electrical) .......................................................................................... 25



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4.3.5 Emergency planning .................................................................................................... 26

4.3.6 Safety barriers and signs ............................................................................................. 27

4.3.7 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ............................................................................. 28

4.4 What to use to work safely – tools, instruments and equipment used for electrical

work ........................................................................................................................ 28

4.4.1 General ........................................................................................................................ 28

4.4.2 Selection, testing, maintenance of tools, instruments and equipment ........................ 30

4.4.3 Use of instruments and test devices ............................................................................. 31

4.4.4 Instruments and test devices ........................................................................................ 31

4.4.5 Ladders, portable pole platforms and scaffolds .......................................................... 32

4.5 Testing and fault finding – providing the work is safe .............................................32

4.5.1 General ........................................................................................................................ 32

4.5.2 Ensuring correct connections (including polarity) ........................................................ 33

Appendix A: Meaning of terms used in this Code .................................................. 37

Appendix B: Further information ........................................................................... 59

B.1 Common sources of electrical risks ........................................................................ 59

B.1.1 Identifying sources of electric shock ............................................................................ 59

B.1.2 Tripping of supply on powerlines ................................................................................. 60

B.1.3 Working near sources of arcing, explosion or fires ...................................................... 60B.1.4 Working in unsafe atmospheres .................................................................................. 62

B.1.5 Isolation and access .................................................................................................... 62

B.2 Other electrical risks to be addressed .................................................................... 65

B.2.1 Working in and around trenches, pits and underground ducts .................................... 65

B.2.2 Working with ladders, scaffolds, portable pole platforms ........................................... 65

B.2.3 Working with elevating work platforms (EWP) ............................................................. 67

B.2.4 Working on or from poles and towers .......................................................................... 75

B.2.5 Tagging out of service .....................................................................................................81

B.2.6 Excavation near energised cables ...................................................................................81B.2.7 Vegetation management, chainsaws and electrical workers .......................................... 83

B.2.8 Use of tools ................................................................................................................... 83

B.3 General elements of a safe system of work ............................................................. 84

B.4 High voltage isolation and access...........................................................................84

B.4.1 General ........................................................................................................................ 84

B.4.2 High voltage isolation and access system ................................................................... 85

Appendix C: Exclusion zones for electrical parts ...................................................88

Appendix D: Electrical Safety Act 2002..................................................................94

Appendix E: Electrical Safety Regulation 2002...................................................... 95



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Part 1 : Introduction

1.1 Application and scope of Code

• ThisElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Electrical Work(theCode)

replacestheCode of Practice - Electrical Work 2002.

• ThisCodewasmadeon18December2009.

• ThisCodecommencedon1January2010.

• ThisCodeexpires10yearsaftertheabovecommencementdate.

1.2 Legislative framework

TheQueenslandElectrical Safety Act 2002(theAct)isdirectedateliminating

thehumancosttoindividuals,familiesandthecommunityofdeath,injury

anddestructionthatcanbecausedbyelectricitynotonlyinworkplaces,but

throughoutthecommunity.

TheActsetsouttheobligationsthatentities,employers,employees,workers,

designers,manufacturers,importersandpersonsincontrolofelectricalequipment

mustmeetinordertocomplywiththerequirementsofthelaw.

Thefundamentalprincipleofthelegislationistosetlegalrequirementstoensure

theelectricalsafetyoflicensedelectricalworkers,otherworkers,licensedelectrical

contractors,consumersandthegeneralpublic.

TheWorkplace Health and Safety Act 1995(WHSAct)placesobligationson

certainpersonstoensurehealthandsafetyintheworkplace.Workplacehealth

andsafetyisensuredwhenpersonsarefreefromdeath,injuryorillnessandthe

riskofdeath,injuryorillnesscreatedbyworkplaces,relevantworkplaceareas,

workactivitiesorplantorsubstancesforuseataworkplace.

Intermsofelectricalsafety,wheretheActandtheWHSActbothapply,theAct

takesprecedence.

TheElectrical Safety Regulation 2002(theRegulation)prescribes,amongother

things,therequirementsforworkingaroundliveelectricalparts.

WhilethisCodegivespracticaladviceonwaystomanageobligationsoftheAct,

itdoesnotprovideadviceaboutallelectricalsafetyobligations.Fourothercodes

ofpracticemadeundertheActare:



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• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts

TheElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live

Partsgivespracticaladviceonwaystomanageelectricalriskwhenworking

nearexposedliveelectricalparts.Thecodeappliestopeoplesuchasplant

operators,painters,peopleerectingorworkingonscaffolds,signmakersand

peopleworkingwithirrigationpipesnearexposedliveelectricalparts.The

practicalguidanceprovidedinthecodemayberelevanttoelectricalworkers

whentheyareperformingelectricalworknearanotherexposedlivepart.

• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 – Electrical Equipment Rural Industry

TheElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010–Electrical Equipment Rural

Industry givespracticaladviceonawayofdischargingaperson’selectrical

safetyobligation.Includedinthecodearewaystoidentifyandmanage

exposuretorisksofinjuryandpropertydamagecauseddirectlyorindirectly

byelectricity.

• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Works

TheElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010-Worksprovidespracticaladvice

foranelectricityentitytomanageelectricalsafetyrisksassociatedwith

earthingsystems,undergroundcablesystemsandsupportingstructuresof

overheadlinesformingpartoftheworksofanelectricityentity.

• Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 – Risk Management

TheElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010–Risk Management givespractical

waysofmanagingelectricalsafetyrisks.Thecodeclearlydefinesand

explainsthefivestepriskmanagementprocessthatobligationholdersunder

theActshouldperformtomakesureallelectricalrisksareminimised.

Referencestolegislation,AustralianStandardsandotherdocumentsinthisCode

arecurrentatthetimeofprinting.Fromtimetotime,amendmentsaremadeto

legislation.Theusershouldthereforechecktoensureapplicablelegislationis

currentatthetimeofreading.

1.3 What is a code of practice?

Acodeofpracticeisadocumentmadeundersection44oftheAct.Itgives

practicaladviceonwaystodischargeelectricalsafetyobligations.Includedina

codearewaystoidentifyandmanageexposuretorisksofinjuryandproperty

damagecaused,directlyorindirectly,byelectricity.

Undersection45oftheAct,thecodeofpracticedoesnotstateallthataperson

mustdo,ormustnotdo,todischargetheirelectricalsafetyobligation.



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However,thepersonfailstodischargetheelectricalsafetyobligationifthey:

• contravene,orotherwiseactinconsistentlywith,thecodeofpractice;and

• donotfollowawaythatisaseffectiveas,ormoreeffectivethan,thecodeof

practicefordischargingtheelectricalsafetyobligation.

1.4 What is this Code about?

ThisCodeprovidespracticaladviceandgivesbenchmarksforperforming

electricalworkinwaysthatareelectricallysafe.Itprovidesguidanceon

managingelectricalriskonly;noguidanceonotherrisksisprovided.ThisCodehasbeendesignedtoreflectthetwowaystoperformelectricalwork:working

de-energisedandworkinglive.

AppendixAcontainsthemeaningoftermsusedinthisCode.

1.5 This Code includes

ThisCodeappliesto:

• electricalworkers;

• employersofelectricalworkersandself-employedelectricalworkers;

• electricalcontractors;and

• personsnotrequiredtoholdanelectricalworklicenceundersection55

oftheAct.

ThisCodefocusesonlyontheelectricalaspectsofworkperformedbythe

followingclassesoflicence:

• restrictedelectricalworklicenceholders;

• electricalworktrainingpermitholders;

• licensedelectricallinespersons;

• licensedelectricaljointers;

• licensedelectricalfitters;and

• licensedelectricalmechanics.



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1.6 This Code does not include• Approvedworkperformedunderahighvoltagelivelinemanagementplan,

asprescribedinsection13oftheRegulation,isnotcoveredbythisCode.

However,highvoltagelivelineworkersaresubjecttothisCodeforelectrical

workactivitieswhilenotperforminghighvoltagelivelinework.Information

onhighvoltageisolationandaccessiscontainedinAppendixB.4.

• Functionaloperationssuchasswitchingperformedregularlytooperate

electricalequipmentarenotcoveredbythisCode.However,switchingto

provideelectricalaccessispartofthisCode.

• PracticalguidanceprovidedintheElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010–

Working Near Exposed Live Partsmayberelevanttoelectricalworkerswhen

theyareperformingworkoneitherliveorde-energisedparts.

• Apartfromcorrectconnections(includingpolarity)thisCodedoesnotaddress

theinspectionandtestproceduresdetailedinsection8ofAS/NZS30001.

• ThisCodedoesnotcovergeneralhealthandsafetymatters,suchas

preventingfallsfromheights.Theserequirementscanbesuppliedbythe

DepartmentofJusticeandAttorney-General’sWorkplaceHealthandSafety

Queensland.Thisinformationmaybeobtainedonlineat

www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.

• Informationmayalsobefoundfromsourcesincluding:

- SafeWorkAustralia;

- ElectricityNetworksAssociation;

- AustralianRadiationProtectionandNuclearSafetyAgency;and

- StandardsAustralia.

1 Furtherinformationoninspectionandtestingcanbeobtainedfromcodesandstandardsproducedbyother

sourcesincluding:Manufacturesandsuppliers,ElectricityNetworksAssociationofAustralia,StandardsAustralia;andotherrelevantindustryassociations.



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1.7 How is this Code set out?• Parts1and2outlinegeneralinformationabouttheCode,thelegislationand

riskmanagement.

• Parts3and4provideguidanceonworkingde-energisedandworkinglive.

• Theappendicescontaindefinitionsandfurtherguidelinesonhowtoperform

workthatiselectricallysafealongwithrelevantpartsoftheActandthe

Regulation.

1.8 What is ‘electrical work’?Thedefinitionofelectricalworkfromsection18oftheActiscontainedin

AppendixA:MeaningoftermsusedinthisCode.

1.9 Obligations under the Electrical Safety Act 2002

Sections29to40oftheActimposeobligationsonpersonswhomayaffectthe

electricalsafetyofothersbytheiractsoromissions.

Forexample,anemployerhasanobligationtoensuretheirbusinessor

undertakingisconductedinawaythatiselectricallysafe.Thisincludes

identifyingelectricalrisks,assessingtheriskofinjuryorpropertydamagethat

maybeattributedtorisksandtakingnecessaryactionstominimiseexposureto

therisk.

Thefulllistofobligationholdersisincludedinpart2,division2,oftheAct.

1.10 How can I meet my obligations?

Undersections41to45oftheAct,therearethreemethodsoutlinedtoassist

youinmeetingyourelectricalsafetyobligations:througheitherregulations,

ministerialnotices,orcodesofpractice.

Whereapplicable,youmustcomplyinthefollowingmannertomeetyour

obligations.

• Ifaregulationisidentifiedasprescribingawayofdischargingyourelectrical

safetyobligation,youwillfailtomeetyourobligationifyoucontravenethe

regulation.



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• Ifaministerialnoticeprescribesawayofmeetinganelectricalsafety

obligationinrelationtoanelectricalrisk,youwillfailtomeetthatobligation

ifyoucontravenetheministerialnotice.

• Ifacodeofpracticestatesawayofmeetingyourelectricalsafetyobligation,

youwillfailtomeetthatobligationifyou:

- contravenethecodeoractinawayinconsistentwiththecode;and

- donotfollowawaythatisequallyeffectiveto,ormoreeffectivethan,

thecodeofpracticefordischargingyourelectricalsafetyobligation.

IfthisCodeisinconsistentwiththeRegulation,thentheRegulationprevailstothe

extentoftheinconsistency.

IfthisCodeandtheRegulationareinconsistentwithaministerialnotice,the

ministerialnoticeprevailstotheextentoftheinconsistency.

YoushouldalsorefertoPart2ofthisCodeonriskmanagementformeetingyour

obligationsgenerally.

1.11 Defences for failing to meet your electrical safety

obligationUndersections46and47oftheAct,ifchargedwithabreachofobligation,you

canprovideavaliddefencebyestablishingthattheoffencewasduetocauses

beyondyourcontrol.Inthisinstance,youcannotclaimasadefencethose

sectionsoftheCriminalCoderelatingtoanaccidentalactoromission,ora

mistakenbelief.

Wheretherewasnoregulation,ministerialnoticeorcodeofpracticethattoldyou

howtomeetyourelectricalsafetyobligationunderthecircumstances,youcan

seektoestablishthatyouchoseanappropriateway,tookreasonableprecautionsandexercisedproperdiligencetodischargethesafetyobligation.

1.12 Penalty for failure to meet your electrical safety

obligation

Undersection27oftheAct,apersononwhomanelectricalsafetyobligationis

imposedmustdischargetheobligation.

Maximumpenalty:



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• ifthebreachcausesmultipledeaths:2000penaltyunitsorthreeyears

imprisonment;

• ifthebreachcausesdeathorgrievousbodilyharm:1000penaltyunitsortwo

yearsimprisonment;

• ifthebreachcausesbodilyharm:750penaltyunitsoroneyear’s

imprisonment;or

• otherwise:500penaltyunitsorsixmonthsimprisonment.

ThisCodeshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeAct,theRegulation,andother

relevantcodesofpractice.HardcopiesofthesedocumentsareavailablefromtheQueenslandGovernmentBookshopbyphoning(07)38838700or1800801123

(outsideBrisbane),orbyvisitingwww.bookshop.qld.gov.au.

FurtherinformationonelectricalsafetyisavailablefromtheDepartmentof

JusticeandAttorney-Generalwebsiteatwww.electricalsafety.qld.gov.auorby

phoningtheInfolineon1300650662.



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Part 2 : Risk Management‘Riskmanagement’isdefinedbytheAustralian/NewZealandStandard AS/NZS

ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management as‘thecoordinatingofactivitiestodirectand

controlanorganisationwithregardtorisk’.

Theterm‘hazard’isoftenusedasanidentifierofpotentialsourcesofrisk.

Howeverinthepracticalapplicationofriskmanagementprinciples,itistherisk

itselfthatmustbeaddressed.The AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management

Standard(theStandard)referstotheidentificationofrisk,whilethetermhazard

isusedinWorkplaceHealthandSafetyandElectricalSafetylegislationinthesamecontext.Similarly,’riskcontrol’isreferredtointheStandardas‘risk

treatment’.Thesedistinctionsaredefinitionalonlyandtheterms‘risk’and

’treatment’areusedinthiscodeforthepurposesofclarityandconsistencywith

theStandard.

TheriskmanagementprocessrequiredbytheWHSActissystematicallydivided

intofivesteps:

1. identifyhazards(risksundertheStandard),basedonexperience,recorded

dataandotherinformation;

2. assessrisksthatmayresultbecauseofthehazards(risks)bymakingan

evaluationofthelevelofriskstothehealthandsafetyofworkers,basedon

theconsequencesandlikelihoodofharm;

3. decideoncontrolmeasures(risktreatmentmeasuresundertheStandard)from

thehierarchyofcontrol(risktreatmenthierarchy)i.e.eliminate,substitute,

isolateorengineerouttherisks,orreducethemthroughadministrative

measuresorpersonalprotectiveequipmenttopreventorminimisethelevel

oftherisks.Thisshouldbeachievedbyselectingthehighestordercontrol(treatment)methodpossibleandthenproceedingdownthelistinorder;

4. implementtheselectedcontrol(treatment)measure(s)intheworkplace;and

5. monitorandreviewtheeffectivenessofthecontrol(treatment)measuresto

ensurethattheyareworkingcorrectlytocontroltherisksandthatnoother

riskshavebeenintroduced.

NOTE:Compliancewiththeriskmanagementprocessdoesnotexcuseaperson

fromensuringworkplacehealthandsafetyorfromcomplyingwithanobligation

undertheAct.



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Effectiveriskmanagementinvolvesidentifyingalloftherisksintheworkplace,

andthencarryingoutariskassessmentforeach,toassessitsseverity,before

decidingitspriorityfortreatment.Whencarryingoutariskassessment,determine

therisksthathavethegreatestpotentialtocauseharmandagreaterlikelihoodof

occurring.Theserisksarecontrolled(treated)first,followedbythelessseriousrisks.

Attentionshouldbegiventorisksthatmaybeeasytofixbutmayhavelow

riskpriorityscores(e.g.powerleadsacrossthefloor).Theserisksshouldbefixed

promptly.Particularattentionshouldbegiventorisksthatmayhaveverylow

likelihoodofcausingharmbutmayresultinmajorconsequences.

TheActrequiresthatelectricalworkandassociatedequipmentbeelectricallysafe

(sections29to40);thatis,freefromelectricalrisk.Electricalriskcanbemanaged

throughtheriskmanagementprocessasdescribedbelow.Specificapplicationsof

theriskmanagementprocessarecoveredinrelevantfollowingparts.

In many circumstances, the risks associated with undertaking electrical work

near exposed live parts can be equivalent to those associated with live electrical

work. Evaluation of the risks and development of risk treatment measures

as described in Part 5 of the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Risk

Management will provide assistance in developing safe work practices.

2.1 Risk

Riskisthelikelihoodandconsequenceofinjuryorharmoccurring.

Forexample,iftheriskiselectricity,therethelikelihoodthataworkermightbe

electrocutedbecauseoftheexposuretoelectricalliveparts.

Thedegreeofriskwilldependontheamountofexposuretotherisk.Withregard

toelectricity,thiswouldrelatetoaspectsoftheelectricityi.e.voltage,frequency

ofexposure,anddegreeofrisktreatmentmeasuresinplace.

2.2 The risk management process

Effectiveriskmanagementinvolvesidentifyingalloftherisksintheworkplace

andthencarryingoutariskassessmentforeach,toassesstheseverityofarisk,

beforedecidingitspriority.

Whencarryingoutariskassessment,determinetherisksthathavethegreatest

potentialtocauseharmandagreaterlikelihoodofoccurring.Theserisksare

treatedfirst,followedbythelessseriousrisks.



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AssetdownintheElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 – Risk Management ,

therearefivebasicstepsintheriskmanagementprocess:

Step 1 - Identify all risks by:

• observing,inspecting,investigating,communicatingandconsulting;and

• makingarecordoftherisksidentified.

Step 2 - Assess the risks by:

• assessingandprioritisingtherisks;

• dealingwiththehighestpriorityrisksfirst;and

• dealingwithlessrisksorleastsignificantriskslast.

Step 3 - Decide on measures to treat the risks by:

• eliminatingtherisk;

• ifeliminationoftheriskisnotpossible,selecttheserisktreatmentmeasures

inthefollowingorderofpreference:

- substitutione.g.usingmachineswithbetterguardingorusingan

instrumentwithahigherinstallationcategory; - isolation(notadministrative)e.g.removeorseparatepeoplefromtherisk;

- minimisationbyengineeringe.g.modifyaswitchboardtoreducethe

amountofexposedliveparts;

- applicationofadministrativemeasurese.g.usingsigns,trainingorpolicies

totreatrisk;and

- useofpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE),equipmentorclothing

designedtoprotecttheworker.

Step 4 - Implement appropriate risk treatment measures that will:

• adequatelytreattherisks;

• notcreateotherrisks;and

• allowworkerstodotheirworkwithoutunduediscomfortordistress.

Step 5 - Monitor the risk treatment measures and review the process:

A: Monitor

• Havethetreatmentmeasuresbeenimplementedasintended?

• Arethetreatmentmeasuresadequate?

• Didtheimplementationoftreatmentmeasurescreateotherrisks?



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B: Review

• Hasanythingchangedovertimesincetheriskprocesswasimplemented?

• Isthetreatmentofrisksstilladequate?

• Wastheriskmanagementprocessconductedeffectively?

Forfurtherinformationonriskmanagementandguidelinesonhowtocompletea

riskassessment,pleaserefertotheElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010-Risk

Management.

ThefivestepriskmanagementprocessisillustratedinFigure1.

Step 1

Identify risks

Step 2Assess and prioritise

risks

Step 3Decide on risk treatment

measures including risk

treatment hierarchy

Step 4Implement risk

treatment measures

Step 5Monitor and review Consultation

should be carried

out at each step of

this process

Preparation:• Define the context.

• Identify tasks, activities, work processes

and practices for assessment

Figure 1: The five step risk management process



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2.3 Common electrical risks

2.3.1 Electrical risks and causes of injury

Thecommonelectricalrisksandcausesofinjurycanbebrokenintothreebroad

categories.Thesecategoriesare:

• Electric shock causinginjuryordeath.Theelectricshockmaybereceivedby

directcontact,trackingthroughoracrossamedium,orbyarcing.

• Arcing, explosion or firecausingburns.Theinjuriesareoftensuffered

becausearcingorexplosionorbothoccurwhenhighfaultcurrentsarepresent.

• Toxic gassescausingillnessordeath.Burningandarcingassociatedwith

electricalequipmentcausesarangeofgasesandcontaminantstobepresent.

Compoundsrangingfromozonetocyanideandsulphuricacidscanbepresent

aswellastheriskssuchaslowoxygencontentintheair.

Thethreecommonelectricalrisksmaybepresentindividuallyorcombined.

Forexample,ifafaultoccurredinthemainswitch-roomofalargeshopping

centreallthreeoftheelectricalriskscouldbepresent.Thepresenceofstepandtouchpotentialsshouldbeaddressedaswellasthepotentialforanexplosion.

Further,burningmaterialssuchasPVCandepoxyresinscancausethe

atmospheretobecomehazardous.

Undersection11(2)(a)oftheRegulation,partsthatarenormallyenergisedorthat

maybecomeenergisedunderfaultconditionsmustbetreatedasliveuntilthe

partsareprovende-energised.Thecategoriesofcommonelectricalrisks,listed

above,arerelativelyclear.However,aselectricityisnotusuallydetectedbysight,

smellorsound,theidentification(orrecognitionofthepotential)oftherisks

canbemoredifficult.RefertoPart2.3ofthisCodeforguidanceregardingtheidentificationofrisksandAppendixBforfurtherinformationonelectricalrisks.

Areas,outsidethescopeofthisCode,thatshouldalsobeaddressedinclude:

• Theflammableatmosphereinbatteryroomsorhazardouslocations.

• Workinginconfinedspaces.

• Electricfieldstrengthandmagneticfieldstrengths.Thesefields,especiallyif

thesourceofthefieldisadirectcurrent,cancauseinterferencewithcardiac

pacemakersandothermedicallyimplantedelectronicdevices.Precautions

shouldalsobetakentopreventotherriskssuchasflyingmetalobjects.

• Preventingfalls,e.g.whenworkingatheight.



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• Useofexplosivepoweredtools.

• Workingonroadways.

• Theuseofhazardoussubstancessuchaspoisons,chemicals,solvents,

syntheticresins,formsofasbestosandpolychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCB).

• Theuseofflammablegasessuchasliquidpetroleum,oxygen,acetyleneetc.

• Theuseofexplosives.

2.4 Instruction, training and supervision

UndertheWorkplace Health and Safety Act 1995,sections28and29,apersonwhoconductsabusinessorundertakingmustprovideinstruction,training

andsupervisiontopersonstowhomtheyoweanobligation.Section30ofthe

Electrical Safety Act 2002,whichsetsdowntheobligationofanemployerto

ensuretheirbusinessorundertakingisconductedinawaythatiselectricallysafe,

includesanimpliedrequirementtoprovidetrainingtoensurethattheymeettheir

obligation.

Workerswhoarelikelytobeexposedtoelectricalrisksandanyonesupervising

theseworkersshouldbetrainedandprovidedwithinformationandinstruction.

Trainingshouldbeappropriatetothetypeofworktobeperformed.Insome

cases,formaltrainingmayberequired.Inothers,on-the-jobtrainingmaybe

moreappropriate.Thespecialneedsofworkersshouldbetakenintoaccountin

decidingonthestructure,contentanddeliveryoftraining.Thisassessmentshould

includeliteracylevels,workexperienceandspecificskillsrequiredforajob.

Adequateandappropriatetrainingisawayofmanagingtherisksassociatedwith

electricalrisks.Thiscanbedoneby:

• determiningwhoneedstobetrained;

• determiningwhattrainingisrequired;

• determininghowtrainingwillbedelivered;

• ensuringthatthetrainingisprovided;

• evaluatingthetraining;and

• keepingtrainingrecords.



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Theamountoftrainingwillbedeterminedby:

• thenatureoftheworkplacerisks;

• thedegreeofassociatedrisk;

• thecomplexityofwork,suchasoperatingproceduresandequipment;

• otherrisktreatmentmeasuresbeingimplemented;and

• thequalificationsandexperienceoftheworker.

2.4.1 Types of training

Therearedifferenttypesofelectricalsafetytrainingthathavedifferentpurposes,including:

• Inductiontraining:forworkerswhencommencingemploymentorwhennew

tothejob.Thistrainingisgeneralandmayinvolveaworkplacetour,and

informationaboutconditionsofemployment,administration,organisational

structure,emergencyproceduresandworkplaceamenities.

• Supervisorandmanagementtraining:providedtohelpensurethatthe

supervisionandmanagementoftheelectricalsafetyissuesareappropriately

carriedoutintheworkplace.• Specificjobtrainingorfamiliarisationtraining:providinginformationabout

theelectricalandotherrisksassociatedwiththejob.

• Specificelectricalrisktraining:providinginformationabouttherisks

associatedwithworkingnearexposedliveparts.

• Ongoingtrainingorrefreshertraining:providedperiodicallytoensurethat

workcontinuestobeperformedsafely.

• Emergencyprocedurestraining:providedtoensureworkersknowwhatto

dointheeventofanemergency,includingidentifyingpersonswithspecific

emergencyrolesandresponsibilities.• Firstaidtraining:providedtoensureappropriateproceduresarefollowedfor

administeringfirstaid.

• JobspecifictrainingrequiredunderaRegulatione.g.safetyobserverandhigh

voltagelivelineworktraining.



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Part 3: Working De-energised

3.1 Scope

Thispartprovidesguidelinesforcreatinganelectricallysafeworkenvironmentby

removingsourcesofelectricalriskby:

• de-energisinglowvoltage;and

• de-energisingandearthinghighvoltageparts.

Theseguidelinesapplytobothalternatinganddirectcurrentsystems.

3.2 Regulatory requirement

Forregulatoryinformation,refertoAppendixEforalistofrelevantsectionsof

theRegulation.

3.3 General

Anemployerorself-employedpersonshouldensurethataneffectiveprocessof

isolationandaccessisusedtoprotectelectricalworkersandothers.Asafesystemofworkshouldbedevelopedwithpeoplewho:

• arerepresentativeoftheelectricalworkers;and

• haveskillsandknowledgeintheareaofwork.

Apersonincontrolofelectricalequipmentshouldmakesurethat,whereisolation

andaccessiscomplex,therearesufficientinstructionstoensuretheprocessis

performedsafely.

Instructionsforisolationandaccessshouldbedocumentedwhere:

• complexisolationandaccessistobeperformed;

• isolationandaccessistobeperformedonacomplexelectricalsystem;or

• bothoftheaboveapply.



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3.4 Low voltage isolation and access

3.4.1 Switching, de-energising and re-energising

Assetdowninsection12oftheRegulation,switching,de-energisingand

re-energisingmustbeperformedunderasafesystemofworkincludingthe

preparationofadocumentedriskassessment.

Switchingincludes,butisnotlimitedto,switchingforisolationorreturnto

serviceandsynchronising.Theelectricalsafetyofworkersandothersshouldbe

addressedwhenswitching.

Otherelectricalsafetyconsiderationsthatshouldapplytode-energising,the

processofde-energisingandre-energisingconnectingpartsfromallsources,

include:

• thecapacityofswitchingdevicestomakeandbreakloadcurrents,including

in-rushcurrents;

• thecapacityofswitchingdevicestomakeandbreakfaultcurrents;

• connectingsourcesthatmaynotbesynchronisedorhavethesamephase

relationship;and• creatingcirculatingcurrentswithinringfeedsofnetworks.

Contingencyactionstobetaken,shouldafaultoccur.Examplesincludewhat

formofactionshouldbetakenif:

• themainswitchisacircuitbreakerandthebreakertripstheinstantitis

closed;

• ifathermaloverloadtripsamotor;and

• asafetyswitch(residualcurrentdevice)trips.

3.4.2 Isolating and disconnecting

Isolating

Subjecttosections11and12oftheRegulation,anypartsworkedonmust

beisolatedandprovedde-energisedunlessasafesystemofworkexistsand

permissionhasbeengrantedtoworklive.

Beforeyoucarryoutworkthatisde-energised,youmustensurethatsupplyis

effectivelyisolated.Undersection11(2)oftheRegulation,eachexposedpartistreatedasifitisenergiseduntilitisisolatedandprovednottobeenergised.



19

Mattersthatshouldbeaddressedintheisolationprocessinclude:

• de-energisingthepartsfromallsourcesofelectricalpotential;toeffectively

de-energiseparts,anumberofisolationpointsmayberequired;

• removingrisksfromothersourcesofenergye.g.springtensionorhydraulic

pressurewithinmechanisms;and

• finally,conclusivelyprovingthatthepartsarede-energisedsothatelectric

shockisnotpossible.

Bothelectricalandnon-electricalworkersshouldclearlyunderstandthemethodor

systemsusedtoisolateandmaintainisolation.Isolationpointsforthejobshouldbeexplainedand,wherepractical,showntoeachoftheworkers.

Awarningorsafetysignshouldbeattachedinaprominentpositiononeach

isolationpointordevice.

Isolationcanbeachievedbymethodsorsystemsusinglocksorrenderingthe

mechanisminoperableoracombinationofthese.Insituationswhereisolation

pointsareabletobeaccessedbyotherpeople,itisimportantthattheisolation

methodorsystemisnotabletobeinadvertentlyoreasilycompromised.

Withoutproperauthority,peopleshouldnotalter,removeorchangethestatusof

atag,lock,orthemethodusedtorenderthemechanisminoperable.

Disconnecting

Undersection90(3)oftheRegulation,outofservicetagsmustbeusedtoidentify

equipmentormachinerythatisfaultyornotsuitableforuseandhasbeentaken

outofservice.Theelectricalequipmentormachinerymustbeisolatedandtagged

outofservice.

Outofservicepartsshouldbeleftinasafemanner.Sinceoutofservicetagsapplytoelectricalaswellasnon-electricalpersons,thesafetyofallshouldbe

addressed.

Whereisolationandaccessisrequired,thesafesystemofworkshouldstate

whethertaggingoutofserviceistooccurinadditiontoisolationandaccess.

RefertoAppendixB.2.5forfurtherinformation.

Forexample,taggingonthejobofreplacinga45kWmotoronafeedwaterpump

whilemaintenanceisbeingperformedontheintake‘footvalve’wouldinclude:



20

• circuitsforthepumpsupply,startercontrolandcontrolandtelemetrycircuits

wouldbeisolatedandprovedde-energised;

• outofservicetagswouldbeplacedinkeylocationse.g.onthestarter;and

• personaltags,locks,methodsofrenderingthemechanisminoperable,ora

combinationofthesewouldthenbeinstalled.

3.4.3 Proving de-energised

Undersection11(2)(a)oftheRegulation,exposedpartsmustbeproved

de-energisedbeforeworkbegins.Withintheelectricityindustry,anextensive

rangeofdevicescanbeusedtoprovepartsde-energised.Ingeneral,whenprovingde-energised,aworkershouldatleastknow:

• Howtodeterminewhetherthedeviceisfitforpurpose.

• Howtodeterminewhetherthedeviceiswithintest,inspectionorcalibration

dates,asapplicable.

• Howtocorrectlyoperatethedevice,includingselftestfunctions,as

applicable.

• Thetechnicallimitationsofthedevice,testerorequipmentused:

- thethresholdvalueofpick-upforthedevicee.g.forseriestestlampsindicationofvoltages,candependontheoperatorandlightconditions;

- whetherthedevicewilldetectthepresenceofDConACcircuitsandvice

versa;

- whetherthedeviceindicatesinductiononacircuit;

- whetheracleanconnectionisrequiredforaccuratereadings;and

- ifthedeviceistobeusedoutdoors,whetherthedeviceiswaterresistant

orwaterproof.

• Theactionsrequiredtocompletetheprocessofconfirmingthetesterisoperatingcorrectly,provede-energisedandre-confirmthetester.These

actionsshouldincludebeingabletodetermine:

- Istheuseofself-testmodepreferredtotestingthedeviceonaknownlive

source?

- Howcanthedevicebeprovenifthereisnoself-testmodeandnoknown

sourceofsupply?

- Thesequenceofactionsrequiredtoprovethepartde-energised.



21

• Whatisdeemedaconclusivetesti.e.thereisconclusiveproofthatthepartis

de-energised.

• Whatisdeemedaninconclusivetestorincorrecttestandwhatactionshould

betakentoresolvethesituation.

Themethodusedtoprovede-energisedmustbeeffective.Forexample,apanel

voltmetershouldnotbeusedastheonlyindicationthatapartisde-energised.

Proving cables de-energised before work

Whereworkistobeperformedonacable,thecableshouldbede-energised.Ifthe

cable’sconnectionsareexposed,theconnectionsandattachedlivepartsshouldbe

provedtobede-energisedandidentifiedbeforeworkstarts.

Cutting cables

Particularattentionisdrawntocuttingcables.Bothendsofthecableshouldbe

checkedforisolationpriortocutting.

Ensuringthataninsulatedorcoveredcableisde-energisedcanpresent

difficulties.Additionalprecautionsshouldbetakenregardlessofwhetherthecable

islowvoltage,highvoltageoracontrolcable.

Forexample,theactionofcuttingamulti-corecontrolcableislikelytocreatea

riskifsecondarycurrentfromacurrenttransformerispresent.Thisriskmaynot

beinitiallyapparenti.e.thecablecuttersmaynotbedamagedwhenthecable

iscut.Ahighvoltagemaydevelopacrosstheopencircuitedsecondarywinding

causinganelectricshock,arcingorafaultatalaterstage.

Dependingonthesituation,alternativeprecautionsmayinclude:

• usingacablespikingorstabbingdevicethatisfitforpurpose;or

• acombinationofprovingde-energisedandphysicallytracingthecable.



22

3.4.4 Altering isolation for testing, fault finding and energising Attimeselectricalworkersneedtoalterisolationtobeabletotestorfaultfind,

orboth,onenergisedparts.Typicalexamplesarethetestingperformedbefore

returningequipmenttoserviceandcommissioningnewequipment.

Testing,faultfindingorboth,andthealterationofisolationpointsshouldbe

performedinlinewithasafesystemofwork.Thesafesystemshouldaddressand

controlexposuretoelectricshockandelectricalexplosion.

Mattersthatshouldbeaddressedwhenisolationpointsarealteredinclude:

• ensuringtheisolationsystemormethodiseffectiveandnotcompromised;

• eliminatingaccesstotheequipmentforallpersonsnotdirectlyinvolvedin

thework;and

• contingencyplansifthetestfailsorahazardoussituationisdiscovered.

ReferalsotoPart4.5ofthisCodefordetailsofrisksassociatedwithtestingand

faultfinding.



23

Part 4 : Working Live

4.1 Scope

Thispartprovidesguidelinesforsafeelectricalworkpracticeswhencarryingout

lowvoltagelivework,withintherestrictionssetdownbytheRegulation.Thepart

covers:

• importantissueswhenworkinglive;

• theselectionanduseoftools,instrumentsandequipmentforlivework;and

• testingandfaultfinding(thispartincludestheimportanceoftestingto

confirmcorrectconnections–includingpolaritytest–toensureelectrical

safety).

4.2 Regulatory requirement

Forregulatoryinformation,refertoAppendixEforalistofrelevantsectionsof

theRegulation.

4.3 Important issues when working live

4.3.1 Documentation

Ifitisnotpossibletoworkde-energisedthedecisiontoworklivemustbe

documented.Theoccasionsthatliveworkispermittedisrestrictedbysection12

oftheRegulation.Section12oftheRegulationalsohasanumberofrequirements

e.g.asafesystemofworkmustexistbeforeworkinglive.Thedevelopmentofa

safesystemofworkincludesthepreparationofadocumentedriskmanagement

strategy.Asafesystemofliveworkshouldbedevelopedwithpeoplewho:

• arerepresentativeoftheelectricalworkers;and

• haveskillsandknowledgeintheareaofwork.

Risktreatmentmeasureschosenforliveworkshouldnotrelysolelyonitemssuch

asflameretardantorflameresistantclothingandPPE.Appropriatetreatment

measurescaninclude:

• isolatingasmanyofthesourcesofelectricpotentialaspossible;thismay

involveworkinglive,thoughsurroundingpartsneednotbelive;



24

• reducingthefaultlevele.g.performingtheworkoutofhourswhenthe

supplycanbefedfromonlyonetransformeroragenerator;

• usingasafetyswitch(residualcurrentdevice)e.g.testinganappliance;and

• insituationswhereuninterruptiblepowersupplies,backupgenerators,auto

re-closing,orautochangeoversystemsareinstalled,thesefacilitiesshouldbe

disabled.

4.3.2 Conductive materials

Workerscanbeexposedtotherisksofelectricshock,arcingandexplosion

withoutmakingdirectcontactwithexposedliveparts.Othermaterialscanprovidecurrentpathsfortheelectricshock,faultcurrent,orboth.

Allmaterialsshouldberegardedasconductive,unlessprovedotherwise.Gases

andliquidsshouldberegardedasconductivematerials.

Particularcareshouldbetakenwhenexposedlivepartsarenearearthed

situations.Theelectricshockpathtoearthcanbeviaconductivematerials,such

asconcrete,timberwithahighmoisturecontentorwater.

Metallicpersonalitems,suchaswatchesandwatchbands,shouldnotbewornwhenworkingnearexposedliveparts.Objectsofthiskindcanresultinelectric

shocks.Inaddition,burnssustainedneartheseitemscanbeworsebecausethe

objectsretainheatandprovidecontactpointsforcurrenttoflow.

Examplesofothermetalobjectsthatshouldnotbewornwhenperforming

electricalworkinclude:

• neckchains;

• rings;

• bracelets;• earrings;

• bodypiercings;and

• metalspectacleframes.

4.3.3 Work position

Topreventelectricshock,youshouldworkfromapositionwhereanycontact

withelectricitywouldrequireadeliberatemovementtotouchenergisedpartsor

createacurrentpath.Adequateworkingclearancetoallowsafeaccessandegressfromtheworkposition,inthecaseofanemergency,shouldbemaintained.



25

Examples:

• Choiceofbodypositionshouldbesuchthatifyoumadeaninvoluntary

actionsuchassneezing,youwouldnottouchexposedlivepartse.g.fault

findingonaProgrammableLogicController(PLC)whoseinputsarenextto

liveexposedparts.

• Whenworkinginanawkwardposition–suchastestingcomponentstowards

therearofawashingmachineviathefrontpanele.g.inalaundromat–the

worksystem,includingbodyposition,shouldbesuchthatnoelectricshock

pathcanbecreated.

• Performingphasesequencingorrotationtestingonoverheadmainsoratanundergroundpillar,theworksystem,includingbodyposition,shouldbesuch

thatnoelectricshockpathcanbecreated.

Ifacircuitbreakerhasthefacilitytoberemotelyoperated,thepreferredwork

positionshouldbecommunicatedtoworkers.Forexample,isoperatingacircuit

breakerbystandingattheunitacceptable,or,isitpreferredtouseremotecontrol

facilities?

4.3.4 Safety observer (electrical)

Undersection12(1)(j)oftheRegulation,asafetyobserver(electrical)whoobserves

theperformanceoftheliveworkmustbeusedwhenperformingliveelectrical

work,unlesstheworkinvolvestestingelectricalequipmentandadocumentedrisk

assessmentshowstheworkisnothighrisk.

Whereliveworkisperformed,thefollowingshouldapply:

• Theroleofthesafetyobserver(electrical)shouldbeclearlycommunicatedand

understood.Theirroleistowarntheworkerorworkersofdangeraswellas

toperformrescueandresuscitation,asrequired.• Asafetyobserver(electrical)shouldhavetheauthoritytostoptheworkbefore

therisksbecometoohigh.

• Thesafetyobserver(electrical)shouldnotcarryoutanyotherworkor

functionthatcompromisestheirroleasasafetyobserver.

• Thesafetyobserver(electrical)shouldbeabletocommunicateeffectivelywith

theworkerorworkers.Specialistequipmentmaybenecessaryinsituations

wherethereisabarriertocommunication.

• Thesafetyobserver(electrical)shouldnothavetoobservemorethanonetask

atatime.



26

• Asafetyobserver(electrical)shouldnotbesituatedintheworkbasketofthe

elevatingworkplatform.

• Tomeetanelectricalsafetyobligation,asafetyobserver(electrical)shouldnot

beregardedasthesolerisktreatmentmeasuretoensureelectricalsafety.

• Thesafetyobserver(electrical)mustbecompetenttohelpwiththeelectrical

work.

• Thesafetyobserver(electrical)mustbecompetentinisolationtechniques

whereappropriate.

Whenworkingnearexposedliveparts,asafetyobserver(electrical)maybeused

asoneformofrisktreatmentmeasure.

Examples of work near exposed live parts include:

• faultfindingataswitchboardthathasahighprospectivefaultcurrentlevel;

• installingandreplacingcomponentsataswitchboard;

• wheretheworkerisinthe‘safetyobserverzone’i.e.neartheexclusionzone

forexposedliveparts;and

• performingcomplexfaultfinding.

Forfurtherinformationonthefunctionsofasafetyobserver(electrical)when

workingnearexposedliveparts,pleaserefertothe Electrical Safety Code of

Practice 2010 – Working Near Exposed Live Parts.

4.3.5 Emergency planning

Ifapersonsustainsaninjuryduetoelectricalrisks,promptandtimelyactioncan

significantlyreducetheinjury’sseverity.Quickactionmayevensavealife.

Afteranelectricalincident,thereisstillariskofinjurybecauseofthethree

commonelectricalrisks(refertoPart2.3).Itiscrucialtheresponsebeappropriate

toelectricalrisk.Forexample,inalivelowvoltagesituation,rescuemaybe

acceptable.However,shouldarescuerequireeitherthevictim,therescuer,or

bothtointrudeintoexclusionzonesforexposedlivehighvoltage,isolationand

provingde-energisedshouldbeperformed.

Inaneffectivesafesystemofwork,workersshouldbecompetentatreactingto

electricalincidentstopreventinjuryorfurtherinjury.Emergencyactionsshould

betakenthatsuittheworkbeingdone.



27

Inlinewith AS/NZS 4836 Safe working on low-voltage electrical installations,

section9.1,thesafesystemofworkrequiredbeforeliveworkcommencesshould

stipulatethatanypersonreceivinganelectricshockorinvolvedanelectrical

incidentshouldreceivemedicalattention.Atrainedmedicalpractitioneris

qualifiedtocheckforotherpossibleeffectsofelectricshock.

Processesandproceduresthatshouldbeconsideredinclude:

• Responsetohighvoltageincidentsandinjuries.Thisshouldinclude:

- formsofisolationandaccess;

- rescueandescapefromanEWP; - cardiopulmonaryresuscitation;and

- firstaidincludingtreatmentofburns.

• Responsetolowvoltageincidentsandinjuries.Theseshouldincluderescue

proceduressuchas:

- lowvoltagepolerescue;

- lowvoltageswitchboardrescue;

- confinedspacerescuee.g.rescuefromlowvoltagecablepits;

- rescueandescapefromanEWP;

- cardiopulmonaryresuscitation;and

- firstaidincludingtreatmentofburns.

4.3.6 Safety barriers and signs

Physicalsafetybarriersandsignscanbeusedtotreatelectricalriskssuchasthose

mentionedinAppendixB.1.

Barriersandsignsmaybedesigned,erectedorinstalledto:

• protecttheelectricalworkerfrommakingcontactwithliveparts;

• ensurethataccesstoandegressfromtheworklocationofliveworkallows

forclear,unobstructedpassage;and

• warnothersanddirectpeopleawayfromliveparts.

Aphysicalsafetybarriershouldconsistofanon-conductivematerialsuchhas

woodorplasticoralternatively,correctlyearthedsteelandbestrongenoughto

withstandtheimpactfromfallingobjectsorloosematerial.Beforeanybarriers

areerected,ariskassessmentmustbecarriedoutbyanappropriatelyqualified



28

persontoensuretheappropriatedesignandthatcorrectmaterialsareused.The

barriermustbeerectedsafely.Thismayentailisolatingtheelectricitysupply

whilethebarrierisinstalled.Abarriermaybetemporaryorpermanentand

shouldclearlydesignatethesafeworkareabydefiningtheapproachpathtoa

pieceofequipment.

4.3.7 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

RefertoPart2fortherisktreatmenthierarchy.ThehierarchylistsPPEasthelast

–orleastpreferred–option.

PPEshouldbefitforpurposeanditscorrectapplication,use,maintenanceand

testingshouldbeexplainedtousers.

ExamplesofPPEapplicationsinclude:

• Reducingrisksratherthancompoundingriskse.g.ifanexplosionoccursat

thighheightthatcausestheenergytoventupwards.Inthissituation,adust

coatoranincorrectlyfittedfaceshieldcouldtraptheexplosionratherthan

protectsomeonefromit.

• Preventionorreductionoftheeffectsofelectricshockandburnsmaybe

controlledby:

- usingclothingthatcoversthearms,legsandbody;theclothingshould

haveflameresistantorretardantpropertiese.g.cottonorwool,and

containnometallicthreadsorexposedconductivemateriale.g.zipor

rivetsinjeans;

- usingnon-conductivefootwear,suchassteeltoecappedbootsorshoes

manufacturedtoasuitablestandard;and

- usinginsulatinggloves.

4.4 What to use to work safely – tools, instruments

and equipment used for electrical work

4.4.1 General

Ingeneralindustry,tools,instrumentsandequipmentthatarepoorlymaintained,

inappropriatelyusedornotfitforpurposecancauseinjuries.Withelectricalwork,

thereistheaddedriskofelectricshockorlargereleasesofenergyfromarcing

andexplosion.



29

Thetools,instrumentsandequipmentusedbyelectricalworkersoftenhave

specialdesigncharacteristics.Forexample,manyareinsulatedasarisktreatment

measure.However,regularmaintenanceandinspectionarerequired.Otherwise,

certaindangerscanarisee.g.theinsulatingmediummightconcealamechanical

defectthatcouldcauseanopencircuitintheleadofatestingdevice.

Tools,instrumentsandequipment,includethefollowingdevices:

• insulatedhandtoolswheretheinsulationisrelieduponasarisktreatment

measure;

• rescueandescapekits;• portableshortcircuitsandearthdevices;

• operatingrods,includingmeasuringsticks;

• mechanicalequipmentsuchasserialhoistsforlinework;

• cablespikingorstabbingequipment;

• laddersandpoleplatforms;

• insulatingmatsandcovers;

• harnesses,lanyardsandfallrestraintdevices;and

• instrumentsandtestingdevicesusedforprovingde-energised,testingandfaultfinding.

Workersshouldbecompetentinthesafeuseofthedeviceincluding:

• beingabletousethedevicesafelyandinthemannerforwhichitwas

intended;

• beingabletodetermine,byinspection,thatthedeviceissafeforusee.g.the

deviceisnotdamagedandisfitforpurpose;

• understandingthelimitationsoftheequipmente.g.whentestingtoprove

anACcircuitisde-energised,whetherthedeviceindicatesthepresenceofhazardouslevelsofDC;

• beingawareoftheelectricalsafetyimplicationsforotherswhenthedeviceis

beingusede.g.whetherthedevicecausestheelectricpotentialoftheearthing

systemtorisetoahazardouslevel;and

• knowingwhattodotoensureelectricalsafetywhenaninconclusiveor

incorrectresultisobtained.

ReferalsotoAppendixB.2.8forinformationaboutthegeneraluseoftoolsfor

electricalwork.



30

4.4.2 Selection, testing, maintenance of tools, instruments andequipment

Whenselectingormaintainingtools,instrumentsandequipment,youshould

addressanumberoffactorstoensureelectricalsafety.Asaminimum,the

followingissuesaretobeaddressed:

• Thedevicemustbefitforpurpose.

• Equipmentandtestinstrumentsthatcanbevisuallyconfirmedasfunctioning

correctlyshouldhavevisualconfirmationofcorrectfunctioneachtimebefore

use.• Equipmentandtestinstrumentsthatarenotabletobevisuallyconfirmed

asfunctioningcorrectlymustbetestedatleasteverysixmonthstoensure

properworkingorder.

• Repairsandmaintenanceshouldmeetappropriatestandardsand

manufacturer’sinstructions.

Appropriateguidanceandstandardsfortesting,inspecting,calibratingand

maintainingthesedevicescanbeobtainedfromsourcesthatinclude:

• manufacturesandsuppliers;

• industrygroups;

• nationalandinternationalcodesandstandardssuchasthoseproducedby:

- StandardsAustraliae.g.ASandAS/NZSpublications;and

- InternationalElectrotechnicalCommissione.g.IECpublications.

Whenselectingdevicesthefollowingshouldbeavoided:

• flameproducingdevices,sinceflameconductselectricity;and

• fireextinguishersthatcontainconductivemediumssuchaswater.

Whenworkingnearexposedlivepartsorworkinglive,thetoolsandequipment

usedshouldbenon-conductiveorinsulated.Examplesinclude:

• torches;

• telescopicdevicese.g.antennas,dentistsmirrors;

• rulersandtapemeasures;

• insulatedtoolse.g.screwdrivers,pliers,cablecutters,spanners,crimpers;and

• electricalorhydraulicpoweredtools.



31

4.4.3 Use of instruments and test devices Whenusinginstrumentsandtestdevices,theworkpracticeshouldinclude:

• Immediatelybeforeandafteruse,thedeviceshouldbeinspectedandfunctional

checksperformedtoconfirmthatthedeviceisoperatingcorrectly,as

appropriate.

• Theworkpracticesemployedduringuseshouldnotonlybesafebutinline

withdocumentedprocedures.Thesedocumentedproceduresshouldaddress

manufacturer’sinstructions.

4.4.4 Instruments and test devices

Whenselectinginstrumentsandtestdevices,thefollowingshouldbeaddressed:

• Thedevice’sfunction,rangeandclassofaccuracyshouldbeappropriatetoboth

workandconditions.

• Toensureelectricalsafety,thecombinationofleadsandinstrumentusedshould

becapableofwithstandingtheimpulsevoltagesandfaultcurrentlevelsthat

couldbeexperiencedatthelocation.

Therelevantprotectivecategory–orInstallationCategory–ofinstrument,device

andleadsshouldbechosenasarisktreatmentmeasureforimpulsevoltagesand

prospectivefaultcurrents.TheInstallationCategoryisaninherentsafetydesign

criterion.Note:InstallationCategoryisasafetyfocusandisnotassociatedwith

instrumentaccuracy.

Theratingfortestinstrumentsandtestprobesusedon415/240Vmainsvoltage

equipmentconnectedonthesupplysideofamainswitchboardshouldbeInstallation

CategoryIII(3)orIV(4).

TypeAprobes(leads)shouldbeusedformeasuringsupplyvoltages(415/240VAC).

Therefore,workerswhoperformlivetestingorfaultfindinginswitchboardsshould

useatleastCategoryIII(3)deviceswithTypeAprobes.

Ifthecombinationoftheprobetypeandinstallationcategoryoftheinstrumentis

inadequate,alternativemeasuresshouldbetaken.Thesemeasuresinclude:

• obtainingamoresuitableinstrument,deviceandleadcombination;or

• usingotherappropriatemeanstoensureelectricalsafety;fusedleadsorprobes

maybeasuitablerisktreatmentmeasure,buttheyshouldbefitforpurpose.



32

Whenselectingavoltageindicatingdevice,considerationshouldbegivento

whetherasingleordoubleprobedeviceismoresuitablee.g.aproximitytesteror

amultimeterstyle.

Forexample,aproximitytesterthathasaselftestfacilityandafail-safedesign

maybeappropriatetotesttoprovede-energisedinsomelowvoltagesituations.

However,whenmeasuringthevoltageataneutrallink,adoubleprobevoltmeter

withatrailingearthleadismoreappropriate.

4.4.5 Ladders, portable pole platforms and scaffolds

RefertoAppendixB.2.2.

4.5 Testing and fault finding – providing the work

is safe

4.5.1 General

Whenfaultfinding,testing,applyingapotentiallyfataltestcurrent,ora

combinationofthese,thecommonelectricalrisksarelikelytobepresent(referto

Part2.3).ConsultAppendixB.1forinformationonthesourcesoftheserisks.Totreatrisksofthiskind,asafesystemofliveworkasoutlinedinPart4.3ofthis

Codemustbeinplace.

Wherearecognisedtestcannotordoesnotsatisfactorilydeterminethatpartsare

electricallysafe–includingprovingthatallconnectionsarecorrect(including

polarity)–orwhereanydoubtexists,thefollowingshouldapply:

• Ensuretheelectricalworkoraffectedpartoftheelectricalworkisisolated,

disconnected,andmadesafe.

• Makesuretheelectricalworkremainssafelyisolateduntilthematterisresolved.Resolutionmaytaketheformoffurtheradviceandassistancebeing

receivedandactedon.

Toensureelectricalsafety,proceduresforfaultfindingandtestingshouldalso

addressthefollowing:

• Consideringthecharacteristicsofthetestinstrumenttobeusedand

anyresultanteffects,includingtechnicallimitations.Forexample,when

choosingavoltageindicatingdevicetotestatalowvoltageswitchboard,an

appropriateclassofdevicewithanappropriateinternalimpedancewillensureaccurateandvalidtestswhilemaintainingelectricalsafetybynotintroducing

hazardouscurrentsandpotentialsintotheearthingsystem.



33

• Provingthecorrectoperationofthetestinstrument,bothbeforeandafter

eachtest.Ifatestprocedureisinterrupted,thesequenceoftestingand

confirmationshouldberestarted.

• Givingclearinstructiononwhatisseenasaconclusiveteste.g.what

constitutescorrectconnections(includingpolarity).

• Providingclearinstructiononwhatisregardedasaninconclusivetest.

Iftheprocedureincludesarequirementforinspections,thecriteriaforthe

inspectionsshouldbeclearlyidentified.

Wheremorethanoneelectricalworkerisinvolvedintheprocessofinstalling,testing,energising,disconnectingandrectifying,anemployerorself-employed

personshouldensurethatanelectricalworkerisassignedtoensuringelectrical

safetyismaintainedatalltimes.

Anemployerorselfemployedpersonshouldmakesureapersonisclearly

responsiblefortheoverallintegrityoftheelectricalworkandtesting.

Electricalworkersshouldberegularlytrainedandassessedintheunderpinning

knowledgeandpracticalaspectsoftestingacrosstherangeofvariablesthe

workerwillencounter.

Clearguidelinesshouldbeprovidedonwhichtestinstruments,orcombinationof

testinstrumentsandequipment,touseincludingaccessoriessuchastrailingearth

leads.

4.5.2 Ensuring correct connections (including polarity)

Importance of testing for correct connections (including polarity)

Failuretoensurecorrectconnections(includingpolarity)cancauseserious

incidentsandmayresultinsevereandevenfatalinjuries.Examplesofhazardoussituationsresultingfromincorrectconnections(includingpolarity)include:

• Transposinganactiveandneutral,oranopencircuitneutralconnection,

resultinginexposedconductivepartsofaninstallationbecomingenergised.

Inthissituation,dangerouspotentialsarecreatedbetweenmetalwork,suchas

tapsandsinks,andearth.



34

• Onthelowvoltagedistributionnetwork,bondingaphasetoearthinstead

ofbondingtheneutraltoearth,thuscausingdangerousstepandtouch

potentialsatthebaseofapole.

WhenanactiveandneutralaretransposedinaMultipleEarthedNeutral(MEN)

system,theearthedmetalwork–suchastaps–becomelivei.e.thereisa

significantpotentialtoearth.Anerrorofthiskindwillusuallymeanthesupply

cannotbeisolatedtoaninstallationviathemainswitch.Inthisinstance,the

problemarisesbecausethemainswitchisintheneutralandatleastoneactiveis

notswitched.

Connectionsmustbetestedtoconfirmthattheyarecorrect.Thetestsmustbe

performedwhenanynewworkisenergised.Thesameappliestoanyalterations

oradditions,orboth.Testingtoprovecorrectconnections(includingpolarity)

greatlyreducestheriskofdeathorsevereinjuryassociatedwithincorrect

connections(includingpolarity).

Whereconsumer’smainsareconnectedtoanoverheadservicelineandametallic

pin,eyeboltorothersimilarfixtureisrequiredtobeeffectivelyearthedin

accordancewithsection144oftheRegulation,apolaritytestingproceduremust

ensurethattheearthingofthemetallicpartdoesnotinvalidatethepolaritytest.

Usingthecorrecttestprocedureswillensuretheelectricalworkissafeandwill

protecttheworker,otherworkersandthepublicduringandaftertesting.

Situations when testing correct connections (including polarity) are required

Examplesofwhentestsofcorrectconnections(includingpolarity)arerequired

includewhen:

• electricalinstallationorrepairworkisconnectedtosupply;

• itemsofelectricalequipment,suchasstovesandhotwatersystems,areconnectedtosupply;

• consumers’mainsorsubmainshavebeenrepairedorreplaced;

• newconsumers’mainsorsubmainsareinstalled;

• lowvoltagebridgesareconnectedorreconnectedonlowvoltagemains;

• connectionstotransformersorgeneratorsaremadeorremade;

• serviceconnectionstostreetlightstandardsaremade,remadeoraltered;

• anewlowvoltageserviceisinstalled;



35

• anexistingserviceisdisconnectedorreconnected;or

• adistributionsystemisinitiallyenergisedorwhenanyadditionoralteration

tothesystemcouldaffectelectricalsafety.

Procedure for ensuring correct connections (including polarity)

Testproceduresshouldbeproperlydocumentedandeffectivelycommunicatedto

theappropriatepersons.

Theminimumstepsshouldincludeprovingthecorrectelectricalrelationship

existsbetweenthe:

• active/s;

• neutral;

• earthing,bondingconductorsorboth;and

• independentearthusedfortesting.

Boththesourceofsupplyandtheelectricalworkmayrequiretesting.For

example,ifathree-phasegeneratoristosupplyaninstallation,thesource–in

thisinstance,thegenerator–andtheinstallationrequiretestingbecauseincorrect

connection/smayexistateitherorbothlocations.

Theelectricalworkerresponsibleforensuringcorrectconnections(including

polarity)mustbecompetentinconfirmingconnectionsarecorrect.Section

12(1)(e)oftheRegulationrequiresthatthepersonperformingtheliveworkhas

theappropriatetraining.

Precautions when testing for correct connections (including polarity)

Itisnotacceptabletorelyonequipmentfunctionasameansoftesting

connections.Examplesofunacceptabletestmethodsinclude:

• relyingonmotorormeterrotationorbothasareliabletest;or

• assumingthat,becauseaprotectivedevicehasnotoperated,theconnections

arecorrect.

Withinthetestprocedure,anindicationshouldbegivenastowhatthetestis

proving.Theelectricalworkerfollowingtheprocedureshouldbeabletoclearly

identifyexactlywhatheorsheistestingfor.Forexample,isthetestpurelya

polaritytest,ordoesitincludeothermeasuressuchasprovingthatthereisno

alternativesourceofsupply?



36

Installationsshouldnotbeconnectedtode-energisedlowvoltagesources.

Theinstallationearthingsystemshouldnotbeusedforteststoearthunlessthe

insulationbetweentheneutralandearthingsystemhasbeenprovenacceptable.

Anindependentearthmaybeused.Theinstallationearthingshouldnotbeused

because,asthetestisperformed,thepotentialoftheearthingsystemmayriseto

alevelthatcausesanelectricalrisk.Inthissituation,theimpedanceofthetesting

devicedirectlyaffectsthelevelofpotentialrise.



37

Appendix A: Meaning of terms used in this CodeElectrical Safety Act 2002=theAct

Electrical Safety Regulation 2002=theRegulation

Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 – Electrical Work =theCode

Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995=theWHSAct

Access permit or authoritymeansadocumentthatformspartofasafesystemto

work,toprovideelectricallysafeaccesstohighvoltageparts.Atleastonesetof

earthsandshortcircuitsmustbeappliedbeforeanaccesspermitorauthorityis

issued.Underanaccesspermitorauthority,earthsandshortcircuitsshouldnotberemoved.

Anappliance(seesection13oftheAct)isadevicethatconsumeselectricityat

avoltagegreaterthanextralowvoltageandinwhichtheelectricityisconverted

intoheat,motionoranotherformofenergyorissubstantiallychangedinits

electricalcharacter.

Althoughalightfitting,includingitsbulbortube,isanappliance,thebulbor

tube,takenalone,isnotanappliance.

Associated equipment,(seesection17oftheAct)foranelectricline,means

somethingordinarilyfoundinassociationwiththeelectricline,especiallyforthe

purposeofprotecting,insulatingorsupporting,orsupportingtheoperationof,the

electricline.

Examples of associated equipment:

• abracket,casing,coating,covering,duct,frame,insulator,pillar,pipe,pole,

towerortubeenclosing,surroundingorsupportingawireorconductor;or

• anairbreak,circuitbreaker,switch,transformerorotherapparatusconnected

toawireorconductor.

Authorised person,foranelectricalpart,(seesection59oftheRegulation)means

apersonwho:

(a) hasenoughtechnicalknowledgeandexperiencetodoworkthatinvolves

contactwith,orbeingnearto,theelectricalpart;and

(b) hasbeenapprovedbythepersonincontroloftheelectricalparttodo

workthatinvolvescontactwith,orbeingnearto,theelectricalpart,oris

authorisedtoactforthepersonincontroloftheelectricalpart.



38

Cathodic protection systemmeansasystembywhichastructureincontactwith

groundorwaterisprotectedfromelectrolyticcorrosionbyadirectelectriccurrent

flowingbetweenthestructureandanelectricalconductorthroughthegroundor

water.

Chief ExecutiveistheDirector-GeneraloftheQueenslandDepartmentofJustice

andAttorney-General.

Competent person(seeschedule9oftheRegulation)meansapersonwhohas

acquiredthroughtraining,qualificationsorexperience,theknowledgeandskills

todothetask,forexampletoinspectandtestelectricalequipmentinasafeway,

includingknowledgeof:

(i) relevantAustralianStandards;

(ii) relevantcodesofpractice;and

(iii)otherrelevantlegislation.

Construction work (seeschedule9oftheRegulation):

Workis construction work ifitis:

(a) worktoerect,construct,extend,alter,convert,fit-out,commission,renovate,repair,refurbish,disassembleordecommissionastructure,orpartofa

structure;or

(b) workconnectedwithsitepreparation,excavationandlandscapingforwork

mentionedinparagraph(a);or

(c) theassemblyorinstallationofprefabricatedcomponentstoformastructure,

orpartofastructure,forworkmentionedinparagraph(a);or

(d) thedisassemblyofprefabricatedcomponentsforworkmentionedinparagraph

(a)that,immediatelybeforethedisassembly,formedastructureorpartofa

structure;or

(e) anactivitythatisaprescribedactivity.

Workisnot construction work totheextentitiscarriedoutataworkplace,as

partofabusinessorundertaking,iftheworkistoerectorconstructastructure

that,whenerectedorconstructed,isintendedtobetransportedtoanotherplace

e.g.constructionofamanufacturedhomeorprefabricatedbuilding.

Constructionworkistakentostop:



39

(a) whentheconstructionworkattheworkplacewheretheconstructionwork

isbeingperformedendsandpossessionoftheworkplaceisreturnedtothe

client;or

(b) iftheclientremainsinpossessionoftheworkplacewheretheconstruction

workisbeingperformedwhiletheworkisperformed,whentheconstruction

workattheworkplaceends.

Constructionworkplacemeans:

(i) aworkplacewhereconstructionworkisperformed,iftheconstructionwork:

- isaprescribedactivity;or - isnotaprescribedactivityandtheestimatedfinalpriceforthe

constructionworkismorethan$80,000;or

(ii) aplaceintendedtobecomeaconstructionworkplaceunderparagraph(a)

whenworkstartsattheplace.

Cranemeansamachineforraisingorlowering(luffing)aloadandmovingit

horizontally(slewing).Itincludesanytypeofcrane,includinganelevatingwork

platform,whetherindependentoranintegralpartofanotherpieceofequipment.

Thisdefinitionincludesanagriculturaltractor,oranyotherapparatususedor

capableofbeingusedforraising,lowering,handlingortransportingmaterials

orequipmentinasimilarmanner.Thedefinitionalsoincludesanysupporting

structureandanyotherequipmentancillarytotheuseofthecraneorapparatus,

butexcludesanygrabcraneorfloatingcrane.

Amobile cranemeansamachinethat:

(a) isusedprimarilyforraisingorloweringafreelysuspendedload;

(b) iscapableoftravellingoverasupportingsurfacewithouttheneedforfixed

runways(includingrailwaytracks);and

(c) reliesonlyongravityforstability,withnoverticalrestrainingconnection

betweenitselfandthesupportingsurface,andnohorizontalrestraining

connection(otherthanfrictionalforcesatsupporting-surfacelevel)thatmay

actasanaidtostability.

A tower cranemeansacranewithaboomthatismountedonatowerstructure

andincludesself-erectingtowercranes.

Adangerous electrical event(seesection12oftheAct)isanyofthefollowing:



40

• Thecomingintoexistenceofcircumstancesinwhichapersonisnot

electricallysafe,if:

- thecircumstancesinvolvehighvoltageelectricalequipment;and

- despitethecomingintoexistenceofthecircumstances,thepersondoes

notreceiveashockorinjury.

• Thecomingintoexistenceofboththefollowingcircumstances:

- ifapersonhadbeenataparticularplaceataparticulartime,theperson

wouldnothavebeenelectricallysafe;and

- thepersonwouldnothavebeenelectricallysafebecauseofcircumstancesinvolvinghighvoltageelectricalequipment.

• Aneventthatinvolveselectricalequipmentandinwhichsignificantproperty

damageiscauseddirectlybyelectricityororiginatesfromelectricity.

• Theperformanceofelectricalworkbyapersonnotauthorisedunderan

electricalworklicencetoperformthework.

• Theperformanceofelectricalworkbyapersonif,asaresultofthe

performanceofthework,apersonorpropertyisnotelectricallysafe.

Examples for the above paragraph:

• theconnectionofelectricalequipmenttoasourceofsupplyinvolving

incorrectpolarityorotherincorrectconnection;

• theperformanceofelectricalworkasaresultofwhichanexposedwire

isleftincircumstancesinwhichitcanbeenergisedbytheoperationofa

switchorcircuitbreakerortheinsertionofafuse;

• thediscoverybyalicensedelectricalworkerofelectricalequipmentthathas

notbeenmarkedasrequiredunderthisAct.

De-energisemeanstheprocessofdisconnectinglinesorapparatusfromallsourcesofelectricalenergyusuallybytheprocessofswitching.De-energiseddoes

notmeanisolatedordischarged,orboth.

Direct contact(seesection60oftheRegulation):

(1) Apersonisindirect contactwithanelectricalpartif:

(a) thepersonistouchingtheelectricalpartwiththeperson’sbarehandsor

anotherpartoftheperson’sbody;or

(b) thepersonistouchingaconductiveobjectwiththeperson’sbarehandsor

anotherpartoftheperson’sbody,andtheconductiveobjectistouching

theelectricalpart;or



41

(c) anarticleofclothingwornbythepersonistouchingtheelectricalpart;or

(d) anarticleofclothingwornbythepersonistouchingaconductiveobject,

andtheconductiveobjectistouchingtheelectricalpart.

(2) Operatingplantisindirect contactwithanelectricalpartif:

(a) anypartoftheoperatingplantistouchingtheelectricalpart;or

(b) anythingtheoperatingplantishandlingistouchingtheelectricalpart.

(3) Avehicleisindirect contactwithanelectricalpartif:

(a) anypartofthevehicleistouchingtheelectricalpart;or

(b) anythingbeingcarriedorotherwisehandledbythevehicleistouchingthe

electricalpart..

Dischargedmeansconnectedtothegeneralmassoftheearthinsuchamanneras

toremoveanyresidualelectricalenergye.g.applyingearthsandshortcircuitsto

highvoltagepartsbeforegainingaccess.

Dischargedalsomeansstoredenergyhasbeenreleasede.g.aclosingspringina

circuitbreaker,hydraulicpressureinasystem,orenergystoredinabattery.

Disconnectedmeansthatthepartsarenotconnectedtoanelectricalsource.Disconnectionmaybeachievedbyde-energising,isolating,separatingorbreaking

connections,orthroughallofthesemethods.Apartthatisdisconnectedmaystill

requiredischargingtoremoveallelectricandotherenergy.

Earthed(seeschedule9oftheRegulation)meansconnectedtothegeneralmass

ofearth.

Earth moving machinemeansanyitemofplantusedforexcavating,transporting,

unloadingcompactingorspreadingearth,overburden,rubble,spoil,paving

material,aggregateorsimilarmaterial.Thetermincludesbackhoesandbulldozers.

Earths, portable earthing devices(PED),refertoearthsandshortcircuits.

Earths and short circuitsmeansportableearthingdevices,earths,earthswitches

etc.Theuseofearthsandshortcircuitsshouldbepartofasafesystemofwork

onhighvoltageparts.Who,whenandwhytheearthsandshortcircuitsare

applieddetermineswhethertheyaredesignatedasoperatororworkingearthsand

shortcircuits.



42

Earthingandshort-circuitingformonepartofasystemtocreateanelectrically

safeenvironment.Thepurposeofearthingandshort-circuitingis:

• tosafelydischargeinducedorresidualvoltage;

• intheeventthatthecircuitbecomesenergized,tocausetheoperationof

protectionequipmenttotripthesupply;and

• tolimittheriseinpotentialdifferenceattheworkarea.

Electrical equipment(seesection14oftheAct)isanyapparatus,appliance,cable,

conductor,fitting,insulator,material,meterorwire:

• usedforcontrolling,generating,supplying,transformingortransmitting

electricityatavoltagegreaterthanextralowvoltage;or

• operatedbyelectricityatavoltagegreaterthanextralowvoltage;or

• operatedbyelectricityofanextralowvoltage,iftheequipmentformspartof

anelectricalinstallationlocatedinahazardousarea;or

• thatis,orthatformspartof,acathodicprotectionsystem.

However,’electricalequipment’doesnotincludeanyapparatus,appliance,cable,

conductor,fitting,insulator,material,meterorwireformingpartofavehicleif:

• itformspartofaunitofthevehiclethatprovidespropulsionforthevehicle;or

• itssourceofelectricityisaunitofthevehiclethatprovidespropulsionforthe

vehicle.

Examplesofthingsthatarenotelectricalequipment:

• theheadlightsofavehicle;

• ignitionsparkplugsofamotorvehicle;

• theinteriorlightingsystemofavehicle,ifpoweredfromabatterychargedby

theenginethatdrivesthevehicleorbythevehicle’smovement.

Examplesofthingsthatarenotpreventedfrombeingelectricalequipment:

• interiorlightingorasocketoutletinacaravan,ifthelightingoroutletis

operatedbyalowvoltagegeneratingsetorconnectedtolowvoltagesupply;

or

• arefrigerationunitinafooddeliveryvehicleoperatingatlowvoltagefroma

sourceseparatefromthepropulsionunitforthevehicle.

Referalsotosection69oftheRegulationforfurtherinformationonelectricmotorsformingpartofvehicles.



43

Electrical equipment work (seesection19(3)oftheAct)iselectricalworkother

thanelectricalinstallationworkorelectriclinework.

Examples of electrical equipment work:

• repairingsubstationelectricalequipment;

• repairinganelectricrange,whetherornotitispartofanelectrical

installation;or

• installing,jointingorterminatingcoveredcables.

Electrical installation(seesection15oftheAct):

(1) An electrical installationisagroupofitemsofelectricalequipment.

(2) However,agroupofitemsofelectricalequipmentisanelectricalinstallation

onlyif:

(a) alltheitemsarepermanentlyelectricallyconnectedtogether;

(b) theitemsdonotincludeitemsthatareworksofanelectricityentity;and

(c) electricitycanbesuppliedtothegroupfromtheworksofanelectricity

entityorfromageneratingsource.

(3) Anitemofelectricalequipmentcanbepartofmorethanoneelectrical

installation.

(4) Forsubsection2(a):

• anitemofelectricalequipmentconnectedtoelectricitybyaplugandsocket

outletisnotpermanentlyelectricallyconnected;and

• connectionachievedthroughusingworksofanentitymustnotbetaken

intoconsiderationfordecidingwhetheritemsofelectricalequipmentare

electricallyconnected.



44

Examples of an electrical installation:

• Theswitchboard,wiring,lighting,socketoutletsandotherelectrical

equipmentpermanentlyconnectedforashopinashoppingcentre.


equipmentpermanentlyconnectedforahouseorresidentialunit.


equipmentpermanentlyconnectedforashoppingcentre.Theelectrical

installationfortheshoppingcentregenerallyincludestheelectrical

installationsfortheindividualshops.


equipmentpermanentlyconnectedforaresidentialunitcomplex.The

electricalinstallationfortheresidentialunitcomplexgenerallyincludesthe

electricalinstallationsfortheindividualresidentialunits.


equipmentpermanentlyconnectedwithinacaravan.

Anelectric line(seesection16oftheAct)isawireorconductororassociated

equipmentusedfortransmitting,transforming,orsupplyingelectricityata

voltagegreaterthanextralowvoltage.

However,an’electricline’doesnotinclude:

• awireorconductordirectlyusedinconvertingelectricityintoanotherform

ofenergy;or

• awireorconductorwithintheinternalstructureofabuilding.

Examplesofthingsthatarenotelectriclines:

• acordforconnectinganairconditioningunit,computer,lamp,televisionor

toastertoasupplyofelectricity;or

• apowerorlightingcircuitwithinabuilding.

Electric line work (seesection19(2)oftheAct)iselectricalworkassociatedwith

anelectricline.

Examples of electric line work:

• erectinganaerialconductorthatispartoftheworksofanelectricityentityor

ofanelectricalinstallation;

• installingormaintainingstreetlightingcircuits;or

• testinganoverheadelectricallinetoensureitiscorrectlyconnected.



45

Electrical part(seesection59oftheRegulation)means:

• anexposedpart;or

• anoverheadinsulatedelectricline.

Electrical placemeansalocationwhereanelectricalinstallation,electrical

equipment,worksofanelectricityentityoracathodicprotectionsystemis

located,includingapremises,place,landorwater.

Electrical risk (seesection10(1)oftheAct)means:

• inrelationtoaperson,therisktothepersonofdeath,shockorinjurycauseddirectlybyelectricityororiginatingfromelectricity;or

• inrelationtoproperty,therisktothepropertyof:

- damagecausedbyacathodicprotectionsystem;or

- lossordamagecauseddirectlybyelectricityororiginatingfrom

electricity.

Electrically safe(seesection10(2)oftheAct)means:

• forapersonorproperty,thatthepersonorpropertyisfreefromelectrical

risk;and

• forelectricalequipmentoranelectricalinstallation,thatallpersonsand

propertyarefreefromelectricalriskfromtheequipmentorinstallation;

• forthewayelectricalequipment,anelectricalinstallationortheworksofan

electricityentityareoperatedorused,thatallpersonsandpropertyarefree

fromelectricalriskfromtheoperationoruseoftheequipment,installationor

works;

• forthewayelectricalworkisperformed,thatallpersonsarefreefrom

electricalriskfromtheperformanceofthework;

• forthewayabusinessorundertakingisconducted,thatallpersonsarefree

fromelectricalriskfromtheconductofthebusinessorundertaking;and

• forthewayelectricalequipmentoranelectricalinstallationisinstalledor

repaired,thatallpersonsarefreefromelectricalriskfromtheinstallingor

repairingoftheequipmentorinstallation.

Electrical safety(seesection10(3)oftheAct),forapersonorproperty,meansthe

personorpropertyiselectricallysafe.



46

Electrical safety notification(seesection206oftheAct).Thechiefexecutivemay

issueanotification(electrical safety notification)that:

• isdirectedatdesigners,manufacturers,importersorsuppliersgenerally,orat

stateddesigners,manufacturers,importersorsuppliers;and

• statesrequirementsabouttheuseorsupplyofstatedelectricalequipment,or

astatedtypeofelectricalequipmentincluding,ifappropriate,requirements

aboutpreventingtheuseorsupplyoftheelectricalequipmentortypeof

electricalequipment.

Electrical work (seesection18oftheAct)isthemanufacturing,constructing,installing,testing,maintaining,repairing,altering,removing,orreplacingof

electricalequipment.

Examples of electrical work:

• installinglowvoltageelectricalwiringinabuilding;

• installingelectricalequipmentintoaninstallationcouplerorinterconnecter;

• replacingalowvoltageelectricalcomponentofawashingmachine;and

• maintaininganelectricityentity’soverheaddistributionsystem.

However,thefollowingarenot‘electricalwork’:

(a) Installingorremovingelectricalequipmentbyconnectingittoelectricity,or

disconnectingitfromelectricity,byaplugandsocketoutlet.

(b) Repairingorreplacingnon-electricalcomponentsofelectricalequipment.

Examples for paragraph (b):

• repairinghydrauliccomponentsattachedtoanelectricmotor;and

• replacingadrivebeltonawashingmachine.

(c) Replacingacomponentformingpartofelectricalequipmentiftheelectrical

equipmenthasbeendesignedsothatthecomponentisreadilyandsafelyable

tobereplacedbyapersonwithoutelectricalknowledgeorskill.

Examples for paragraph (c):

• replacingafuse;and

• replacingthebulbinalightfitting.



47

(d) Assembling,making,modifyingorrepairingelectricalequipmentina

workplaceregisteredundertheWHSAct,thatisprescribedunderaregulation

forthisparagraph,ifthatistheprincipalmanufacturingprocessatthe

workplace,andarrangementsareinplace,andaredetailedinwrittenform,

forensuringthat:

(i) theworkisdonesafelyandcompetently;and

(ii) theequipmentistestedtoensurecompliancewithrelevantstandards.

(e) Building,underthesupervisionofanelectricityentity,anoverheadelectric

lineonstructuresthatdonotalreadycarryanenergisedoverheadelectric

line.

(f) Buildingorrepairingducts,conduitsortroughs(channels)whereelectrical

wiringwillbeorisinstalled,if:

(i) thechannelsarenotintendedtobeearthed;

(ii) wiringinstalledinthechannelsisnotenergised;and

(iii)theworkisdoneunderthesupervisionofapersonlicensedtoperform

electricalinstallationwork.

(g) Laying,cuttingorsealingundergroundcablesthatarepartoftheworksofanelectricityentitybeforetheinitialconnectionofthecablestoanelectricity

source.

(h) Recoveringundergroundcablesthatarepartoftheworksofanelectricity

entityafterdisconnectionfromanelectricitysource.

(i) Altering,repairing,maintainingorrecoveringanoverheadelectriclinethatis

partoftheworksofanelectricityentity,iftheworkisperformedunderthe

entity’ssupervisionand:

(i) ifthelineisnotonsupportssupportinganotherelectricline-thelinehasbeenisolatedfromanelectricitysourcesothattheclosureofaswitch

cannotenergisethesectionofthelinewhereworkisbeingdone;or

(ii) ifthelineisonsupportssupportinganotherelectricline-bothlineshave

beenisolatedfromanelectricitysourcesothattheclosureofaswitch

cannotenergisethesectionofthelinewheretheworkisbeingdoneoran

adjacentsectionoftheotherline.

(j) Erectingstructuresforthesupportofelectricalequipment.



48

Example of structures:

• electricpolesandtowers.

(k) Locating,mountingorfixinginplaceelectricalequipment,otherthan:

(i) makingorterminatingelectricalconnectionstotheequipment;or

(ii) installingsupplyconductorsthatwillconnecttheequipmenttoasupply

ofelectricity.

(l) Assistingalicensedelectricalworkertoperformworkonelectricalequipment

underthedirectsupervisionoftheelectricalworker,ifperformingthework

doesnotinvolvethepersondirectlycontactingliveelectricalequipment.

(m)Maintainingthestructuralpartsoftheelectricaltractionsystemonarailway,

otherthanoverheadelectriclines,thatformspartoftheworksofanelectrical

entity,iftheworkisstructuralworkperformedunderasafesystemofwork.

(n) Workperformedbyapersononelectricalequipmentif:

(i) theelectricalequipmentisnotenergised;

(ii) theworkisprescribedunderaregulationforthisparagraph;and

(iii)itisnecessaryforthepersontoperformtheworktomeettheeligibilityrequirementsforanelectricalworklicence.

Elevating work platformmeansatelescopingdevice,scissordevice,or

articulatingdeviceoranycombinationofthosedevicesusedtomoveandposition

personnel,equipmentandmaterialstoandfrom,oratworklocationsaboveor

belowthesupportsurface.

Energise(seeschedule2oftheAct)meansenergisebyelectricity.

Exclusion zone(seesection61oftheRegulation):

(1) Theexclusionzone,forapersonforanelectricalpart,orforoperatingplant

oravehicleforanelectricalpart,meansthedistancefromthepartstatedfor

theperson,plantorvehicleinAppendixC.

(2) ForapplyingAppendixCtoaperson,thepersonincludesanyarticleof

clothingwornbytheperson,andanyconductiveobjectthepersonis

handling.

(3) ForapplyingAppendixCtooperatingplant,theoperatingplantincludes

anythingtheoperatingplantishandlingotherthan: (a) aperson;or

(b) ahandheldobjectthepersonishandling.



49

(4) ForapplyingAppendixCtoavehicle,thevehicleincludesanythingthe

vehicleiscarryingorotherwisehandling.

(4A)Despitesubsections(2)to(4),theperson,operatingplantorvehicledoes

notincludeanobject,forexample,atool,thataloneorwithanotherobject

orobjectsisanextensionfromtheperson,operatingplantorvehicleifthe

object:

(a) isaninsulateddevice;and

(b) thedevicehasbeentestedandfoundtobesafeforuseonandnearthe

electricalpart.

(5) ForapplyingAppendixCtooperatingplantoperatedbyanauthorisedperson

orinstructedpersonwhodoesnothaveasafetyobserveroranothersafe

systemasrequiredundertheschedule,theauthorisedpersonorinstructed

personmustbetakentobeanuntrainedperson.

(6) However,theexclusionzone,foranelectricalpart,foroperatingplant

operatedbyanauthorisedpersonorinstructedpersonfortheelectricalpart,

istakentobethesameastheexclusionzoneforanauthorisedpersonor

instructedpersonfortheelectricalpartif:

(a) theoperatingplantisfittedwithadevicecapableofstoppingtheoperationoftheoperatingplantimmediatelytheoperatingplantisat

theexclusionzoneforanauthorisedpersonorinstructedpersonforthe

electricalpart;

(b) thereisinplaceasafesystemofworkfortheuseoftheoperatingplant;

(c) thesafesystemofworkhasbeendevelopedinconsultationwithpersons

whoarebroadlyrepresentativeofindustrialorganisationsofemployees

whosememberscommonlyoperateoperatingplantoftheoperating

plant’stype;and

(d) withoutlimitingparagraph(b),thesafesystemofworkensuresthedevice

mentionedinparagraph(a):

(i) isoperatingproperly;and

(ii) issetforatleastthecorrectexclusionzonedistance.

(7) AreferenceinAppendixCtoavehicledoesnotincludeareferenceto:

(a) anaircraft;or

(b) avehiclethatisoperatingplant.



50

Examples for paragraph (b):

• TiptrucktippingaloadwouldnotbeavehicleforAppendixC.

• HoweveratiptrucktravellingbetweensiteswouldbeavehicleinAppendixC.

• Avehiclethatincludesanelevatedworkplatformbeingusedforclearing

vegetationwouldnotbeavehicleforAppendixC.However,whenthe

platformisnotbeingusedforclearingvegetation,thevehiclewouldbea

vehicleforAppendixC.

(8) ForapplyingAppendixCtooperatingplant,areferenceto‘anothersafe

system’isareferencetoasystemofworkthat: (a) hasbeendevelopedinconsultationwithpersonswhoarebroadly

representativeofindustrialorganisationsofemployeeswhosemembers

commonlyoperateoperatingplantoftheoperatingplant’stype;and

(b) provides,forpersonsandproperty,thesamelevelofelectricalsafetyas,

oragreaterlevelofelectricalsafetythan,thelevelofelectricalsafety

providedwithasafetyobserver.

Extra low voltage(seeschedule2oftheAct)meansvoltageof50VorlessAC

RMS,or120Vorlessripple-freeDC.

Ferro-resonancecanbedescribedasavoltagemultiplicationcircuitonapower

system.Thephenomenoncauseshigherthannormalsystemvoltagesonthehigh

andlowvoltagesystems,e.g.700voltsphasetophaseonthelowvoltagesystem.

Ferro-resonanceoccurswhenamodestsizedcapacitanceiseitherinseriesorin

parallel,withnon-linearinductance,suchasanironcoredtransformer.

Inpowersystems,ferro-resonanceismostcommonlyfoundinthefollowing

conditions:

• athree-phasedistributiontransformerisenergisedviaanundergroundcableofmoderatelength;

• thereiseithernoload,orverylightloadonthetransformer;and

• acombinationofthecapacitanceandinductanceexists,andsingle-phase

switchingoccurse.g.operationofahighvoltagefuseorasynchronous

operationofsingle-phasehighvoltageswitchingdevices,suchasadropout

fuseunitorsomeringmainunits.

Free from electrical risk (seesection10(4)oftheAct),forapersonorproperty,

meansthattheelectricalrisktothepersonorpropertyisaslowasreasonably

achievable,havingregardto:



51

• likelihoodofharm;and

• likelyseverityofharm.

Hand excavationmeansusingtoolssuchasshovels,picks,mattocks,crowbars.

Handexcavationdoesnotincludetheuseofequipmentsuchasjackhammers.

Evenwhenhandexcavatingcautionmustbeexercisedwhenworkingclosetolive

cables.

Handling(seesection59oftheRegulation)includesanyofthefollowing:

(a)carrying;(b)connectedto,whetherornottemporarily;

(c)controlling;

(d)holding;or

(e)lifting.

High voltage(seeschedule2oftheAct)meansvoltagegreaterthanlowvoltage.

Include:Wheretheword’include’isusedinthisCode,itshouldbeinterpretedas

meaning’includes,butisnotlimitedto’.

Installation Category (instruments)meansthefaultlevelandvoltageimpulse

levelthattheinstrumentisdesignedtowithstand.(Refertointernational

standardsIEC61010-1andIEC61010-2-031forfurtherinformation.)The

applicableInstallationCategoriesareoutlinedbelow:

• Installation Category Irelatestosignallevel,specialequipmentorpartsof

equipment,telecommunications,electronicandsimilarequipment.Impulse

withstandvoltage:1500V.

• Installation Category IIrelatestothelocallevel,appliances,equipmentsub

circuits,portableequipmentetc.Impulsewithstandvoltage:2500V.

• Installation Category IIIrelatestothedistributionlevel,mainswitchboards

etc.Impulsewithstandvoltage:4000V.

• Installation Category IVrelatestotheprimarysupplylevel,overheadlines,

cablesystemsetcfixedinstallation.

Instructed person(seesection59oftheRegulation)foranelectricalpartmeans

apersonwhoisactingunderthesupervisionofanauthorisedpersonforthe

electricalpart.



52

Isolatedmeansdisconnectedfromallpossiblesourcesofsupplyandrendered

incapableofbeingmadelivewithoutpremeditatedanddeliberateoperation.Under

section20(2)oftheRegulation,asuitablewarningsafetysignmustbeattached.

Examplesofhowisolationcanbeachievedisbyopeningisolators,rackingout

circuitbreakers,removingfusesorlinks,inhibitingtheoperationofamechanism

bylocking,oracombinationofthesemeasures.Isolationinvolvestheuseof

suitablewarningorsafetysignsandinvolveslocks,renderingmechanisms

inoperativeoracombinationofthese.

Isolation and accessmeanstheprocessoffullyorpartly,switching,de-energising,

isolating,provingde-energised,applyingearthsandshortcircuits,discharging,

installingotherprecautions,theissuingofpermitsorauthoritiesandthereversal

ofthisprocess.Isolationandaccessshouldbepartofsafesystemofwork.

Thetermappliesto:

• theoperationofhighvoltage,lowvoltageandassociatedcircuitse.g.

secondarycircuits;and

• alternatingcurrent,directcurrentorboth..

Isolation pointmeansthepoint,oroneofmanypoints,usedtoisolateelectricalparts.

Live (Alive, Energised)meansconnectedtoasourceofelectricalsupplyor

subjecttohazardousinducedorcapacitivevoltages.Generally,‘live’referstoa

conductororconductivepartintendedtobeenergisedinnormaluse,includinga

neutralconductorandconductivepartsconnectedtoaneutralconductor.

UndertheMENsystemlivedoesnotapplytothefollowing:

• Earthingconductors.

• Theneutralconductorofalowvoltagedistributionnetworkthatisearthedin

accordancewithsection129oftheRegulation.

• TheMENconnectionandtheneutralbarorlinkwhichtheMENconnectionis

made.

• ThesheathofaMineralInsulatedMetalSheathed(MIMS)cableandassociated

conductivefittingsusedasacombinedneutralandprotectiveearthing

conductorfittingsusedasacombinedneutralandprotectiveearthing

conductorinanEarthSheathReturn(ESR)system.

• ConductivesupportsandenclosuresassociatedwithunprotectedconsumersmainsthatareearthedinaccordancewithAS/NZS3000.



53

Live work (seeschedule9oftheRegulation)meanselectricalworkperformed

incircumstancesinwhichthepartoftheelectricalequipmentthesubjectofthe

electricalworkisenergised.

Low voltage(seeschedule2oftheAct)meansvoltagegreaterthanextralow

voltage,butnotmorethan1000VACRMSor1500Vripple-freeDC.

MustWheretheword‘must’isusedinthisCode,itreflectsthefactthata

mandatoryrequirementexistsintheActorRegulation.

Neutralmeanstheconductorofathree-wireormulti-wiresystem,whichis

maintainedatanintermediateandapproximatelyuniformpotentialinrespectoftheactiveorouterconductors,ortheconductorofatwo-wiresystemthat

isearthedatitsorigin.Aneutralshouldbeconsidered(andtreated)asalive

conductor.

Operating plant(seesection59oftheRegulation)meansplantbeingoperatedfor

itsintendedpurposeunlesstheoperationoftheplantcannotmateriallyaffectthe

distancebetweentheplantandanyelectricalpartinrelationtowhichthereisan

exclusionzoneunderthispart.

Examples of operating plant:

• atiptrucktippingaload;

• afixedcraneoperatingatabuildingsite;

• avehiclethatincludesanelevatedworkplatformbeingusedforclearing

vegetationfromaroundoverheadelectriclines;

• aconcretepumpingtruckpumpingconcrete;and

• aharvesterwithheightchangeableattachmentsbeingusedtotransfergrain

toatruck.

Exampleofplantthatisnotoperatingplant:

• afurnitureremovalvanunderanelectriclineraisingorloweringthe

electricallyorhydraulicallyoperatedplatformlocatedattherearofthevan,if

neithertheplatformnoranythingontheplatformrisesabovetheroofofthe

van.

Penalty units:pleaserefertosection5ofthe Penalties and Sentences Act 1992.

Permit or authoritymeansanaccessoratestpermitorauthority.



54

Plantincludesanymachinery,equipmentandappliance,andanyarticledesigned

foruseasacomponentin,orasanaccessoryto,anymachinery,equipmentor

applianceandincludesearthmovingmachinesandhoists.

Potentially fatal test currentmeanscurrentusedaspartofatestwherethe

currentisgreaterthanorequalto10mAACor300mADC,orboth.These

valuesarebasedonthemaximumvalueofcurrentatwhichapersoncanletgo

or’thresholdofletgo’,describedinAS60479Effects of current on human beings

and livestock.

Thethresholdofletgoshouldbeconsideredthemaximumvalueofcurrentto

flowthroughthehumanbodybeforeasignificantriskofventricularfibrillation

exists.Therefore,iftestsusecurrentsabovethepotentiallylethaltestcurrent,

considerationshouldbegiventotheimplementationofeffectiverisktreatment

measures.

Principal contractorforconstructionworkisthepersonappointedbytheclient

astheprincipalcontractorfortheconstruction.Ifthereisnoclientforthe

constructionwork,thepersonwhocommissionstheconstructionworkistakento

betheprincipalcontractorfortheconstructionwork(WHSAct,section13).

Aqualified technical person(seesections7(2)to7(4)oftheRegulation),foranindividual,partnershiporcorporation,isanindividualwhosatisfiesthechief

executivethatheorshe:

(a) isafitandproperperson;and

(b) either:

(i) iftheelectricalworktobeperformedbythelicensedelectricalcontractor

maybeperformedonlybytheholderofanelectricalworklicence--has

heldforatleastayear,orashorterperiodconsideredacceptablebythe

chiefexecutive,andstillholds,anelectricalworklicence;or (ii) hasheldforatleastayear,orashorterperiodconsideredacceptableby

thechiefexecutive,andstillholds,anexternalcontractingauthority;and

(c) iscompetenttoperformelectricalworkas,orfor,alicensedelectrical

contractor;and

(d) hassatisfactorilyfinishedacourseofinstruction,oranexaminationrequired

bythechiefexecutive,ontechnicalaspectsofperformingelectricalwork.

Despitesubsections(1)and(2),forapersonwhoisanindividualtobeaqualified

businesspersonorqualifiedtechnicalperson:



55

(a) foranindividualwhoholds,orhasappliedfor,anelectricalcontractor

licence,thepersonmustalsobe,orbeanemployeeof,theindividual;or

(b) forapartnershipthatholds,orhasappliedfor,anelectricalcontractorlicence,

thepersonmustalsobeamemberoranemployeeofthepartnership;or

(c) foracorporationthatholds,orhasappliedfor,anelectricalcontractor

licence,thepersonmustalsobeanexecutiveofficer,amemberoran

employeeofthecorporation.

Indecidingwhetherapersonwhoisanindividualisafitandproperperson,the

chiefexecutivemayonlyconsider:

(a) thestandardofhonestyandintegritydemonstratedbythepersonin

commercialandotheractivitiesinwhichthepersonhasbeeninvolved;and

(b) anyfailurebythepersontoperformcommercialorstatutoryobligationsand

thereasonsforthefailure.

Rope test (rope pull test)meansatestperformedonwoodandsteelpoles.By

placingamechanicalloadasclosetotheheadofthepoleaspractical,viaarope,

thetestshouldindicatewhetherthepoleisinherentlysound.

Safe system of work ,forliveworkonalowvoltageelectricalinstallation,includes,butisnotlimitedto,asystemofworkthatcomplieswiththeprovisions

ofAS/NZS4836Safeworkingonlowvoltageelectricalinstallationsabout

ensuringthesafetyofpersonswhileperforminglivework.

Safety observermeansapersonwho:

• observestheperformanceofthework;

• iscompetenttohelpapersonperformingtheelectricalwork;and

• hasbeenassessedinthelastsixmonthstobecompetenttorescueaperson

performingelectricalworkandprovideresuscitation.

Aserious electrical incident(seesection11oftheAct)isanincidentinvolving

electricalequipmentif,intheincident:

• apersoniskilledbyelectricity;or

• apersonreceivesashockorinjuryfromelectricity,andistreatedforthe

shockorinjurybyorunderthesupervisionofadoctor;or

• apersonreceivesashockorinjuryfromelectricityathighvoltage,

whetherornotthepersonistreatedfortheshockorinjurybyorunderthe

supervisionofadoctor.



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Should:Wheretheword’should’isusedinthisCode,itshouldbeinterpreted

asmeaningarequirementwhichneedstobeequalledorexceededsothatan

obligationtobedischarged.IfthisCodestatesthatsomethingshouldbedone,the

requirementistodowhattheCodesaysordoitinamannerwhichisequalor

better(electricallysafer)thantheCode.

Step and touch potentialmeansstepvoltageortouchvoltage,orboth.Referto

Figure2.

Figure 2: Examples of step potential and touch potential

Step voltagemeanstheprospectiveoropencircuitvoltagethatmayappear

betweenanytwopoints(onemetreapart)onthesurfaceoftheground.

Supervisionmeanstheoverseeingofworkers,includingtraineesandapprentices,

toensureriskstopeopleandpropertyareeliminatedoratleastminimised.While

asupervisormayperformaudits,auditingshouldnotbeseenasinterchangeable

withsupervision.

Supervisionofelectricalworkincludes:

• healthandsafetymatters;

• statutorycompliancee.g.monitoringtheworkanapprenticeorrestricted

electricalworkerispermittedtoperform;

• technicalaspectse.g.compliancewithAS/NZS3000;and

• implementationofasafesystemofwork.

Generally,thetwodistinctstylesofsupervisionaredescribedas:

• Direct supervisionmeanssupervisionoccursatalltimesonadirectand

constantbasis.



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• General supervisionmeanssupervisionwheretheworkerdoesnotrequirethe

constantattendanceofthesupervisor.

Switching sheetmeansadocumentthatispartofasafesystemofwork.Each

switchingsheetshouldhaveauniquereferenceandshouldlistaprocessof

isolationandaccessstepbystep.

TheActmeanstheElectrical Safety Act 2002.

TheCodemeanstheElectrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Electrical Work.

TheRegulationmeanstheElectrical Safety Regulation 2002.

TheWHS ActmeanstheWorkplace Health and Safety Act 1995.

Tiger tails (Torapoli pipes)areplasticpipetypecablecovers,usedasawarning

tovisuallyindicatethepositionofoverheadpowerlinesorstaywires.Tigertails

donotinsulatewires.

Touch voltagemeanstheprospectiveoropencircuitvoltagethatmayappear

betweenanypointofcontactwithconductiveparts(thatarelocatedwithin

2.4metresoftheground)andanypointonthesurfaceofthegroundwitha

horizontaldistanceofonemetrefromtheverticalprojectionofthepointofcontactwiththeconductivepart.

Transferred earth potential:Althoughalinemaybe’earthed’,theremaybea

dangerousvoltageorpotentialbetweenthelineandtheearthpoint,includinga

concretepoleorasteeltower,attheworksite.

Forexample,wherealineisunderaccessataremotesubstation,afaultnot

directlyassociatedwiththelineunderaccesscancauseadangerousvoltagerise

onthesubstationearthgrid.Thatvoltageriseistransferredthroughthelineto

theworksite,whereitcancreatearisktoworkersonthesite.

Type A probemeansprobessuitableforapplicationtolowvoltageandhigh

voltagenonattenuatingnonvoltagedividingprobeassembliesthatareratedfor

directconnectiontovoltagesexceeding33VRMS(rootmeansquare)butnot

exceeding63kV.Theseprobeassembliesmaycontainpassivecomponentssuch

asfuses.(RefertointernationalstandardsIEC61010-1andIEC61010-2-031for

furtherinformation.)

Untrained person(seesection59oftheRegulation),foranelectricalpart,means

apersonwhoisnotanauthorisedpersonoraninstructedpersonfortheelectrical

part.However,itshouldbenotedfromtheabovedefinitionofexclusionzone,



58

thatforapplyingAppendixCtooperatingplantoperatedbyanauthorisedperson

orinstructedpersonwhodoesnothaveasafetyobserveroranothersafesystem

asrequiredundertheschedule,theauthorisedpersonorinstructedpersonmustbe

takentobeanuntrainedperson.

Please note:undersection61(5)oftheRegulation,forapplyingschedule2of

theRegulationtooperatingplantoperatedbyanauthorisedpersonorinstructed

personwhodoesnothaveasafetyobserveroranothersafesystemasrequired

undertheschedule,theauthorisedpersonorinstructedpersonmustbetakentobe

anuntrainedperson.

Wilfully(seeschedule2oftheAct)means:

• intentionally;or

• recklessly;or

• withgrossnegligence.

Work (seesection59oftheRegulation)meansworkofanytype,whetherornot

electricalwork,otherthanliveworkorelectricalweldingperformedinaccordance

withasafesystemofwork.

Works(seesection25oftheAct),ofanelectricityentity,meanstheelectrical

equipment,andelectriclineassociatedequipment,controlledoroperatedbythe

entitytogenerate,transform,transmitorsupplyelectricity.

Example of works of an electricity entity:

• anoverheaddistributionsystemofadistributionentity,including

transformersandswitches.

Example of what is not works of an electricity entity:

• appliancesorfixedwiringinanelectricityentity’sworkshoporoffices.



59

Appendix B: Further information

B.1 Common sources of electrical risks

B.1.1 Identifying sources of electric shock

ContactwithelectricpotentialsisoneofthecommonrisksidentifiedinPart

2.3fortheelectricalindustry.Theassociatedrisksaresignificant.Inmanaging

risksassociatedelectricalwork,preventingelectricshocksisamajorpartof

dischargingelectricalsafetyobligations.Potentialsourcesofelectricshock

include:

• Voltagesbetweenphasesandbetweenphasesandneutral.

• Voltagesbetweenphases,neutralandearthwherethereismetalwork,damp

situations,personsandotherconductivesurfacesnearby.Theseconductive

surfacesareasourceofpotentialthatcancauseanelectricshock.

Identifyingothersourcesofelectricshockcanbemoredifficult,butthefollowing

listwillhelp.Sourcesinclude:

• Voltagesacrossopenswitchcontactse.g.voltageacrossalightswitchonanincandescentlightingcircuitorthevoltageacrossabustiewhereonesideis

de-energised.

• Voltagesacrossundischargedcapacitors.

• Voltagesondisconnectedconductors,particularlyneutrals.

• Voltagescausedbystaticelectricity,leakageordischarge,orlightning.

• Thepotential(voltage)betweenpartsoftheearthinMultipleEarthedNeutral

(MEN)systemscanchange,sometimescausingelectricshocks.Thechanging

earthpotentialcanbeduetoanumberofcausesincluding:ahighimpedance

returnpathtothelowvoltagedistributionneutral,faultsonotherpartsofthe

powersystemorlightningstrikes.

• Inducedvoltagesfromsourcesotherthanthecircuitbeingworkedone.g.

nearbycircuitsorradiofrequencytransmitters.

• Voltagesacrossthesecondaryterminalsoftransformers,includingcurrent

transformers.

• Voltagesbetweenparts,oropencircuitedpartsofoneearthsystem,or

voltagesbetweendifferentearthingsystems.

• Incorrectwiringconnectionse.g.transposingactiveandneutral,commonlyreferredtoasincorrectpolarity.



60

• Faultyequipmente.g.theframeoffaultyequipmentmaybecomeenergized.

• Voltagesfromsourcesneartheworkbeingperformed.Examplesinclude:

- workingonaremoteareapowersupplywherebothACandDCvoltages

maybepresent;

- repairinglightsonashopfaciawhenoverheadpowerlinesarenearby;

- workingontransducercircuitswhenotherACandDCcircuitsarepresent;

and

- workingonapowersystemwithmultiplecircuitsthatmaybeofmultiple

potentials.

• Voltagesonthecircuitbeingworkedonfromothersourcesincluding:

- illegalconnectionsorreconnections;

- UninterruptiblePowerSupplies(UPS)andbackupsupplies;

- motorgeneratorsoralternators;

- DConACcircuits;

- AConDCcircuits;

- harmonicse.g.3rdharmonic150Hzinneutralsandearthswherethereis

alargefluorescentlightloadandswitchmodepowersupplies;and - backElectroMagneticForces(EMF)fromcollapsingmagneticfieldsor

rotatingmachinery.

• Stepandtouchpotentialsandtransferredearthpotentials.Transferredearth

potentialsoftenresultfromsystemfaults.

B.1.2 Tripping of supply on powerlines

Ifcontactismadewithpowerlines,supplywillnotbedisconnectedimmediately.

Infact,ifthefaultcurrentislow,thesupplymaynottripatall.

Dependingonthevoltageandtypeofprotection,thereisaninbuiltdelayaslong

asanumberofsecondsbeforedisconnectionoccurs.Evenifanoverheadfeeder

doestrip,itmayre-closeandenergisethefaultagain.

B.1.3 Working near sources of arcing, explosion or fires

Arcs,explosionsandelectricalfaultscancauseburns.Workersshouldbe

protectedfromtheeffectsofburns.Examplesoftriggersforarc,explosionsand

faultswhichcauseburnsinclude:



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• Materialsprovidingaconductivepathbetweensourcesofpotentiale.g.

uninsulatedtoolsfallingacrossbusbars.

• Abnormalconditionsoncircuitssuchas:

- lightningstrikingmains;

- circuitsofdifferentvoltagestouchingeachothere.g.HVcontactingLV

circuits;and

- highvoltageinthesecondarycircuitofacurrenttransformerifanopen

circuitoccurswhencurrentisflowingintheprimarycircuit.

• Abnormallyhighvoltageswhensynchronisingdifferentsupplies.Forexample,ifthewaveformsare180ºoutofphase,twicethepeak-to-peakvoltagemay

beimposed.

• Voltagemultiplicationeffectssuchas:

- ferro-resonancewherethecapacitiveandinductivecomponentsof

undergroundcablesandtransformerscansignificantlyincreasevoltages

whensingle-phasingoccurs;and

- re-strikecanoccurifcapacitorsareenergised,de-energisedand

re-energisedinrapidsuccession.

• Leakageorelectricaldischargecausinginsulationtobecompromisede.g.a

combinationofabuildupofcontaminantsoninsulatorsandwetweatheror

trackingthroughairvoidsinpitchfilledinsulatingchambers.

• Failureofinsulatingmediums2.

Theconsequencesofarcs,explosionsandelectricalfaultsarecompoundedby

highfaultcurrents.Thepotentialforinjuryisextremebecauseoftherapidrelease

ofelectricalenergy.

Thelevelofelectricalenergyreleasedcanequal20timestheratedsupplycurrent.

Whenhighfaultcurrentsarepresent,magneticforcesbetweentheconductorscan

behighenoughtocausetheconductorsupportstomechanicallyfail.Thiscauses

additionaldamage.

Protectionsystemsshouldensurethatthesehighfaultcurrentsonlyflowbriefly.

However,whenhighfaultcurrentsarepresent,circuitprotectionmaynotoperate

toprotectapersonfromelectricshock,arcingorexplosions.

2 Therearenumerousinsulatingmediumsinusethatshouldbeconsidered.Someofthemediumsincludepolyvinylchloride(PVC),crosslinkedpolyethylene(XLPE),vulcanisedinsulatingrubber(VIR),air,epoxy

compoundsandresins,zellamite,transformeroil,cableoil,vacuum,sulphurhexaflouride,pitchcompounds.



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Duringthetimethatittakestoclearthehighfaultcurrent,thearcsproduced

haveenoughenergytocauseanexplosion,meltmetallicswitchboardcubicles,

causesevereburnsandflashburnstothefaceandeyes,aswellasinjuryfrom

flyingdebrisordislodgedcomponents.

B.1.4 Working in unsafe atmospheres

Afterfaultsandfires,ofteninemergencies,electricalworkersmaybeexposedto

unsafeatmospheres.Toxicgasesandlackofoxygencancauseillnessanddeath.

Generalworkplacehealthandsafetyrisktreatmentmeasuresshouldbeusedin

thesesituations.

Themethodofextinguishingfiresshouldbeaddressed.Typically,carbon

dioxideorpowdertypedevicesareusedagainstelectricalfires.Extinguishers

suchaswater,foam,andwetchemicalshouldnotbeusedastheysignificantly

increasetheriskofelectricshock.Furtherinformationcanbeobtainedfromthe

QueenslandFireandRescueServiceonlineatwww.fire.qld.gov.au.

B.1.5 Isolation and access

RisksidentifiedinPart2.3shouldbeaddressedinthecontextofisolationand

access.Risksourcesinvolvingisolationandaccessinclude:

• Correctlyisolatingsupplybutnotdischargingresidualenergye.g.acapacitive

chargemaybepresentinpowersupplies,single-phasemotors,orhighpower

factorfluorescentfittings.

• Insulationandequipmentfailingorpartiallybreakingdown.

• Earthconnectionfailingtostopanelectricshockinearthedconductiveparts

whenstepandtouchpotentialsexist.

• Carryingoutthetaskcausesaperson,somethingapersonmaybehandlingor

somethingapersonisincontactwith,tointrudeintominimumsafeapproach

distances.

• Apowersystemconductingfaultcurrentorbeingsubjecttohighinrush

currents.

• Instructionsormarkingsonthepartsbeinginadequate,incorrectorboth.

• Usingequipmentnotdesignedfororcapableofanoperatione.g.openinga

’noload–bustie’underloadconditionsorrelyingonanopencircuitbreaker

asanisolationpoint.

• Anotherpersonenergisingcircuitswhileaworkerisworkingonthem,ora vehiclehittingapole.



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• Naturalelementssuchaslightningorwindcausingstaticcharges,overhead

mainstoclashorahighvoltagecircuittofallontoalowvoltagecircuit.

• Theinter-corecapacitiveeffectsoflongmulti-phasecables.

• Changestowiringnotbeingreflectedindrawingsi.e.thedrawingsarenot’as

built’.Anexample:alivecontrolorsupervisioncircuitbeingpresentthough

thedrawingindicatesotherwise.

• Iftherehasbeenanerrorinwiring,openingtheisolatormaynotde-energise

theswitchboarde.g.ifincorrectconnection(incorrectpolarity)occurredin

theservicetoaninstallation,openingthemainswitchwillopencircuitthe

neutralratherthantheactive.• Intentionallydisablinganinterlocktoperformataske.g.openingtheshutter

ofa‘rackable’circuitbreakertesttoprovede-energisedintheorifice.

• Inadvertentlydisablinganinterlockwhileperformingataske.g.ina

switchboardwithanintegratedcircuitbreaker,isolatorandearthswitch,the

operatoraccidentallymovingtheisolatorintotheearthedposition.

• Acombinationofpoordirectionandinsufficientknowledgee.g.aworker

isinstructedtoapplyasetofearthsandshortcircuitsataRingMainUnit

(RMU).Theworkercorrectlyobservesthattheisolatorisopen.However,the

workerassumesthattheearthswitchcanbeclosedbecausetheisolatorisopen.MostRMUsareconfiguredinsuchawaythattheearthswitchearths

thecable,notthebusbar.Inthissituation,itispossiblethattheworkerwould

beearthingandshortcircuitingalivecircuit.

• Whenapplyingasetofportableearthsandshortcircuits,accidentalor

inadvertentcontactismadewithliveparts.Ifthisoccurs,theworkerisusing

adevicethatisconductingfaultcurrent.

• Thethresholdvalue(lowestlevelofindicationorreading)ofatestdevice

causingamisleadinginterpretationofatesttoprovede-energised.Depending

onthedeviceused,anindicationthatpartsarenotenergised,inahigh voltagesituation,doesnotmeanthatlowvoltageanddirectcurrentvoltages

areabsent.

• Applicationofearthingandshortcircuitingdevicesthatdependona

conductivepaththroughafuseoracircuitbreakerthatisnotfitforpurpose.



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• Ineffectiveconnectiontothegeneralmassoftheearthe.g.theelectrode,grid

ortemporaryelectrodethattheearthfromtheearthsandshortcircuitsrelies

uponinasituationwhereasinglephasebecomesenergised.

• Applicationoftheshortcircuitportionofportableearthingdevicespriorto

theearthtailbeingconnectedtotheearth.

• Arcingandsplatteringassociatedwiththeapplicationofearthsandshort

circuitscausingarisk.Thearcingorsplatteringmayresultfromusingthe

deviceinsituationsthatrangefromenergisedconductorstoresidualenergy

suchascapacitance.Ifthepartsareenergised,theworkercandrawthearc

fromonephasetotheother,causingaphasetophasefault.

• Apotentialelectricshockpathexistingoncetheearthtailisconnectedto

earth.Aworkermaytouchanotherlivepartandtheearthedconnectoratthe

sametime.Forexample,inaCommonMultipleEarthedNeutral(CMEN)area,

evenwhenworkingonhighvoltage,contactbetweentheearthedconnector

andalowvoltagephasecancauseanelectricshock.



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B.2 Other electrical risks to be addressed

B.2.1 Working in and around trenches, pits and

underground ducts

Sourcesofelectricalriskswhenworkinginandaroundtrenches,pitsand

undergroundductsinclude:

• Earthedsituationsinwhichanelectricshockpathiscreatedwhenexposed

livepartsandconductivematerialsarepresentatthesametime.Examplesof

conductivematerialsincludemetalpipesandliquidssuchasstormwaterorsewerage.

• Damageoflivecablewithexcavationorholeboringequipment.

• Sparkgenerationsinanexplosiveatmospheree.g.presenceofLPgas.

• Exposedliveparts.Forexample,anelectricalworkermayberequiredto

inspectandrepairadamagedundergroundcable.

Aneffectiveriskmanagementandsafesystemofworkshouldaddressrisksofthis

kind.Examplesofsuitablemethodsinclude:

• Performingelectricalandassociatedworkonlyonde-energisedparts.

• Usingworkmethodsthatremovetheriskofanearthedsituatione.g.using

matsandeliminatingoravoidingliquids.

• Ifexposedpartsofcablesarepresent,maintainingrelevantexclusionzone

untilyoucandeterminewhetherthecableishighvoltageorlowvoltage.Ifit

isdifficulttoidentify,youshouldtreatthecableaslivehighvoltage.

Constructionofhighvoltagecablesvaries.Somehighvoltagecablesareoil

filled,somearefilledwithgas,andothersrelyoninsulationonly.Acablethatis

leakingoilorgasshouldbetreatedasahighvoltagecable.

B.2.2 Working with ladders, scaffolds, portable pole platforms

Workwithintheelectricalindustryrequiresextensiveuseofladders,scaffoldsand

similarequipment.Whenusingtheseitems,youwillencounterthethreecommon

electricalrisksfromanumberofsourcesincluding:

• Aconductivedevicesuchasanaluminiumladdercreatinganelectricshock

pathe.g.anelectricshockpathmaybecreatedwhenanelectricalworker

investigatesafaultylightcircuitifthemetalframeofasuspendedceilingis

energisedandaconductiveladderisused.



66

• Movingaportablescaffoldanddamaginginsulationwhenthescaffoldstrikes

conductorsorleads.

• Ifliveworkisbeingperformedfromaladderi.e.theladderslippingand

causingtheworkertotouchexposedlivepartse.g.grabbingamainsbox.

• Anincidenthappenswhileworkisbeingperformedde-energisednear

exposedlivepartse.g.windblowinganextensionladderintonearbylive

mainssuchasoverheadpowerlines.

• Incaseswherelinesarecarryinglargecurrents,conductivescaffolds

becomingsubjecttoinduction.

• Inswitchroomsandswitchyards,conductivedevicessuchasaluminiumladdersandscaffoldscreatingelectricshockpathsandcurrentpathstoearth

e.g.ametalwirereinforcedladdercausingafaulttogroundiftheladder

touchesalive33kVbusbar.

• Whenusingladders,scaffoldsandsimilarequipment,workersaremorelikely

totouchopenwiringsuchasoverheadlines.

Tocontrolsituationsofthiskind,ariskassessmentcouldbecarriedoutanda

safesystemofworkshouldbeused.Effectiverisktreatmentmeasureswithinthis

systemofworkshouldinclude:

• Usingequipmentthatisfitforpurpose,e.g.non-conductiveladders.However,

suchequipmentshouldnotbetheonlyrisktreatmentmeasureusedforlive

workunderasafesystemofwork(seeAS/NZS4836).

• Usingportablepoleplatformsthatarefitforpurpose.Whenselectinga

portablepoleplatform,considerationshouldbegiventousingdevicesthat

canbesafelyattachedtothestructuree.g.woodorconcreteorboth.Design

anduseoftheportableplatformshouldensurethatanoperatordoesnot

receiveanelectricshockwhenoperatingthedevicecorrectly.

• Identifyingiftherearenearbyexposedliveparts.Nearbyexposedliveparts,risktreatmentmeasuressuchasde-energising,fittingcovers,usingasafety

observer(electrical)oracombinationoftheseshouldbeaddressed.

• Employingworkpracticessuchas:

- twoormorepeoplecarryinglongdevicesinswitchyardsandswitchrooms

inapositionbelowshoulderheight;

- twopeoplehandlingextensionladdersinwindyconditions;and

- restrainingladdersusingheadropesorfootropes,orboth.



67

• Ifconductivescaffoldingisusedwithinhighvoltageenclosuresorin

situationswherethereisinduction,bondingthestructuretotheearthing

system.Dependingontheconstructionofthescaffold,youmayhavetobond

anumberofsectionstoensureanequipotentialstate.

B.2.3 Working with elevating work platforms (EWP)

B.2.3.1 Scope

Thispartprovideselectricalsafetyinformationforelectricalworkerswhenusing

ElevatingWorkPlatforms(EWP),includingscissorliftandboomtypemachines.It

outlinesrisksassociatedwiththeuseofanEWPonlyinanelectricalcontextand

doesnotcovergeneralsafeoperation.

B.2.3.2 Risks associated with EWP usage

Elevatingworkplatformsareusedthroughouttheelectricalindustry.Their

configurationsandapplicationsvarywidely,buttherearecommonrisks.

Astheworkerintheplatform’sbasketmovesinthetravellingendofthemachine,

theriskofcomingintocontactwithexposedliveelectricalpartsisrelatively

higherthanforotherformsofplant.

SourcesofrisksassociatedwithEWPsusedforelectricalandassociatedwork

include:

• Contactingexposedlivepartsandreceivinganelectricshockeveninan

insulatedmachine.Thismaybeexacerbatedbythecloseproximitytothe

exposedlivepart,anymechanicalfailureoftheEWPorlossofstability

resultingincontactwithexposedliveparts.

• Workingnearexposedlivepartsandpoorjudgementofdistance.

• Mechanicalfailureorlossofstabilitypossiblyresultingincontactwith

exposedliveparts.

• Stepandtouchpotentialsbetweenvehicleandground.Thismayresultinan

unsafeelectricalenvironmentwhereanotherpersonmayaccidentallytouch

thelivevehiclewhilestandingontheground.

• Liveexposedpowerlinesonthegroundasaresultofpolefailureorbroken

wires.Anaccidentinvolvingmechanicalfailureofthestructurebeingworked

one.g.polefailureorliveconductorsfallingtotheground.

• Creatinganunsafeelectricalenvironmentatgroundlevele.g.ifthebodyof

thevehicleislive,passersbycanreceiveelectricshocks.



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B.2.3.3 Working with an insulated EWPIfaninsulatedelevatingworkplatformisusedforelectricalwork,arisk

assessmentshouldconsiderwhethertheEWP’sinsulationiscapableofprotecting

apersonfromacurrentpaththroughthemachine.

Theinsulationdoesnotprotectapersonfromelectricshockifitispossiblefor

him/hertosimultaneouslytouchanytwopartswithdifferentelectricpotentials.

Inotherwords,ifyouareperformingliveworkinthebasketofaninsulatedEWP,

itisstillpossibletoreceiveanelectricshock(refertoFigure3).

Figure 3: Example of an electrocution in an insulated EWP

Anotherexampleinvolvestheapplicationofearthsandshortcircuits,suchas

portableearthingdevices.Inthecaseofportableearthingdevices,youshould

addressthelikelyeffectsofintroducingpotentialsinornearthebasket,aswell

asthemechanicaleffectsoftheconductorswhippingabout,shouldthedevicebe

appliedtoliveparts.

Appropriateworkpracticesshouldpreventdifferentelectricalpotentialsfrom

existinginabasket.Situationslikethiscanoccurifpeopleworkonpartswith

differentpotentials,byanearthpotentialbeingintroducedviaatestlead,or

throughaportableearthingdevice,flexibleextensionleadorpartofastructure.



69

B.2.3.4 Need for planning before electrical work using an EWPOperationsofEWPswithaboomlengthofmorethan11maredeemeda

PrescribedOccupationunderschedule5oftheWorkplace Health and Safety

Regulation 2008,asamended.Part3oftheWorkplace Health and Safety

Regulation 2008requirescertainminimumlevelsoftrainingandassessment

beforetheoperatorcangainthenecessarycertificatetoengageintheoccupation.

Thetraining,assessmentandauthorisationofEWPoperatorswhoaretoworkin

anelectricalcontextshouldbeequivalentto,orbetterthan,theworkplacehealth

andsafetyrequirements.

Beforeelectricalworkersperformanyelectricalworkfromanelevatingwork

platform,ariskassessmentshouldbecarriedoutandsafetyissuesaddressed.

Theseissuesvarydependingonsuchconditionsasthejob,location,orweather.

Thoughnotexhaustive,thefollowinglistmaybeofassistancetodetermine

suitabilitytoperformwork:

• Doestheworkerholdtheappropriateelectricalqualification?

• Istheelectricalworkerfamiliarwiththeprocedureandmethodassociated

withtheelectricalworkusingtheEWP?

• Istheelectricalworkersufficientlyfamiliarwithtoolsandequipment,suchaschainsawsoraugers,tousethemsafelywhileexposedtotheadditionalrisks

associatedwithanEWPnearexposedliveparts?

• WilltherebeasuitablyqualifiedEWPoperatoroperatingthemachine?

• IstheEWPoperatorfamiliarwiththeparticularmachine?

• WherespecialtestingoftheEWPandequipmentisrequirede.g.strengthand

insulation,areallthetestsuptodate?

• Areappropriatepersonsonsiteabletosafelyperformarescueincasean

accidentoccurs?

TheEWPoperatorshouldensurethatallchecks,inspections,set-up,stowage

andmaintenancerequirementsoftheprimemover–aswellastheEWPportion

oftheplant–arecompliedwith.Thechecks,inspections,set-up,stowageand

maintenanceforeachmachineshouldbeclearlydocumented.Thoughmany

oftheserequirementsaresimilartogeneralEWPrequirements,inelectrical

situationsthereareoftenadditionalrequirementssuchascleaningtheinsulating

parts.

Peopleshouldremaininthebasketwiththeirharnessattachedatalltimeswhen

thebasketismovedfromthecradle.Theonlyexceptioniswhenadocumented



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safesystemofworkisinplacetoprovideasafealternative.Ifthesafesystem

permitsaccessoregress,orboth,fromanEWPbasketinaraisedposition,this

proceduremustbefollowedtotreattherisksassociatedwiththisaction.These

risksincludefallsfromheightsandelectricshock.

AsafesystemofworkassociatedwithelectricalworkfromanEWPwill

invariablyincludetraining,assessment,authorisationandauditingcomponents.

Suchcomponentsaregeneraltomachinesaswellasspecific.Additionally,the

safesystemshouldconsideratleastthefollowingcontingencyplansthatinstruct

operatorsonhowtodealwithsituationsthatinclude:

• Mechanicalfailureorelectricalormechanicalaccidents,orallthree.Usingthe

followingmayprovidesolutions:

- groundcontrols;

- bleedvalves;

- batteryoperatedsystems;

- controldescentdevices;and

- escapedoorsandhatches.

• Fireinthehydraulicsystem,possiblyatbasketlevel,includinganincidentinwhichtheoperatorslumpsoverthecontrols,activatingthe‘deadman’as

wellasoneofthecontrols.By-passvalvesatgroundlevelmaycaterforsuch

situations.

• Therolesofallpersonsonsitewithelectricalsafetyresponsibilities

shouldbeclearlydocumentede.g.theroleofthebasketoperatorand

theinterrelationshipwithgroundoperatorsandanysafetyobservers.

Communicationneedsshouldbedefined,asshouldanyactionsrequiredif

directcontactismadewithexposedliveparts.

• AsafesystemofworkshouldalsoincludesuitablecontrolsforsafelyoperatingtheEWP.Theoperatorshouldbeabletousethecontrolseasily

whilewearingthePPErequired.Additionally,designoftheoperatorinterlock

device(deadman)shouldensureitcannotbeeasilybypassedbytheoperator

inthebasket.

• Asafesystemofworkshoulddetailtherequirementsforchecks,inspections,

set-up,stowageandmaintenance.Theoperationalcheckshouldinclude

safetycomponentssuchasdeadmanswitchesandcontroldescentdevices.In

addition,thecorrectoperationofmultipleparkbrakes,powertake-offsand

hydraulicaccumulatorsshouldbedetailed.



71

• Theprocedurefortestingthemachineelectricallyandmechanicallyshould

complywithrelevantstandards.

• Ifthesafesystemofworkincludeslivework,risktreatmentmeasures

shouldnotcreatedangerousstepandtouchpotentials.Atastrategiclevel,

youshoulddeterminewhethertoadoptorrejectthepracticeofearthing

themachineframe.Regardlessofthemethodchosen,appropriatetechnical

considerationisrequired,sinceeachmethodhassignificantadvantagesand

disadvantages.Athoroughanalysisshouldinclude:

- thepieceofplantbeingused;

- thetasksbeingperformed;

- configurationoftheelectricalnetwork;and

- theeffectofelectricalsafetyonworkersandpublic.

• WheretheEWPworkistobeperformedondistributionand/ortransmission

assets,privateorotherwise,thefollowingpointsshouldbeaddressed:

- Ensuringthatsafeapproachdistancesaremaintained.

- Makingsurethatstepandtouchpotentialsonandaroundthestructure

donotcauseriskse.g.fromfaultsorleakage.

- Beforeworkstarts,ensuringthatthemechanicalintegrityofthe

structure,conductorsandequipmentattachmentshasnotorwillnot

becompromisede.g.consideringwhetherthestructureissafeforwork

withoutfurtherrisktreatmentmeasures.

- Ifconductorsarepermittedtocomeintocontactwiththeboomorbasket

oftheEWP,asafesystemofworkshouldclearlystatetheelectricaland

mechanicalrequirementsforthispractice.

- Detailingtheauthorisations,licences,restrictionsandrequirementsin

workpracticestobeusedifboomsandbasketsaretoworkbetween,near

andoverenergisedandde-energisedaerialworksandinstallations.This

listshouldincludeelectricalandmechanicalspecificationsincludingfail-

safesystems.

B.2.3.5 Special provisions for working in the safety observer danger zone

What is the safety observer danger zone?

Anelevatingworkplatformisconsideredtobeoperatinginthesafetyobserver

dangerzonewhenthereisapossibilitythatanyofthefollowingiscapableof

enteringtheexclusionzoneofexposedlivepowerlines.



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• anypartoftheEWPnotdesignedandcapableofworkingsafelywithinthe

area;

• anyhandtoolsorotherequipmentheldbyanypersoninvolvedwiththe

operationandnotdesignedorcapableofworkingsafelywithinthearea;

• theloadbeingmoved;or

• thepersonworkingonanelevatingworkplatform.

Anelevatingworkplatformisnotoperatinginasafetyobserverdangerzone

when:

• thepowerlineshavebeende-energised;

• limitingswitcheshavebeeninstalledtowarntheoperatororpreventanypart

oftheEWPorloadfromenteringtheno-goexclusionzone;or

• anypartsoftheEWPbeingmovedarebeingpreventedfromenteringthe

exclusionzonebyphysicalbarriers.

Thesafetyobserverdangerzonesforpowerlinesonpolesandontowersare

illustratedinFigure4:Safetyobserverzoneforoverheadpowerlinesonpoleand

towers.

Figure 4: Safety observer zone for overhead power lines on poles or towers



73

Boom configuration

Boomconfigurationshouldalsobeaddressed.Elevatingworkplatformsusedin

theelectricityindustryincludetelescopic,‘knuckle’andscissorbooms,flyjibsand

hybridversions.Theappropriateboomconfigurationcanassistorhinderelectrical

safetyandneedstobeaddressedinriskmanagement.

AnexampleofapossibleriskcanbeseeninFigure5.

Figure 5: Example of a risk due to the position of the vehicle and boom

configuration (worker performing de-energised work in an uninsulated EWP)

Safety observer

Asafetyobserverisrequiredwhenanelevatingworkplatformisoperatedwithin

thesafetyobserverdangerzone.TheemployeroftheEWPoperatororaself-

employedoperatorisresponsibleforappointingasafetyobservertoobservethe

approachoftheEWPorloadtopowerlines.

People in contact with the EWP

Whentheelevatingworkplatformoperatesinthesafetyobserverdangerzone,

onlythefollowingpersonsmaybeinstructedtotouch,orallowedtotouch,any

partoftheEWPoritsload:



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• Theoperatorwhilenotincontactwithanelectricalearthoranothersourceof

potential.

• Anoperator,whilestandingonthegroundorwhileinanearthedsituation,

mayoperatetheEWPunderthefollowingconditions:

- thecontrolsareeffectivelyinsulated3;

- theoperatorwearsinsulatinggloveswherethevoltageofanyofthe

overheadpowerlinesdoesnotexceed1000volts;or

- theoperatorstandsonanequipotentialmetallicmatortray/deck,

electricallyconnectedtoallmetalworkassociatedwiththecontrols.

• Otherpersonnelmaybeallowedinthesafetyobserverdangerzoneonconditionthat:

- theirpresenceisessentialtotheparticularoperationofthecraneorplant

e.g.otherworkershelpingtosetuptheEWP;

- thesepersonsarenotrequiredtohavedirectcontactwithanypartofthe

EWP;

- wheredirectcontactisnecessary,effectivelymaintainedinsulatinggloves

mustbeworn;and

- whenanyindirectcontactisrequiredbythesepersonswiththeEWP,such

contactmustbeviaanon-conductiveobjecte.g.haulingline,poleortail

ropeusedtocontrolloadmovement.

B.2.3.6 Additional loading affecting movement or position of the

EWP basket

Whenconsideringtherisksassociatedwithworkingonornearstructures,

youshouldallowforthefactthatthemechanicalloadingofthestructurecan

besignificantlyalterede.g.addingadditionallightfittingtoalighttower,or

applyingorremovingtensionfromaerialconductorsorcatenarysystems.

Amechanicalfailureofthiskindcancompoundrisksanddramaticallyincrease

theriskandconsequences.Forexample,ifthetiploadingofapoleisalteredand

apoleconsequentlyfails,thefallingpolemaystriketheEWP.Atthesametime,

however,livemainsmayfalltotheground,creatingrisksforworkcrew,rescuers

andthepublic.

3 Insulationmustatleastbeeffectiveagainstthemaximumvoltageoftheparticularoverheadpowerline.The

employerorself-employedpersonoperatingthecraneisresponsibleforensuringtheeffectivenessofthe

insulationinaccordancewiththerelevantStandard.



75

Theelevatingworkplatformshouldnotbesubjectedtomechanicalforcesfor

whichitisnotdesigned.Forexample,inappropriateconductortensioning

techniquesorraisingandloweringwithapowerwinchcouldapplyinappropriate

forcetoanEWP.

B.2.3.7 Possible illusions as a result of using an EWP

Operatorsshouldbeawareofafeelingoflight-headednessascloudsmoveinthe

backgroundoraffecttheoperator’speripheralvision.

Inaddition,whereworkisperformednearaerialconductors,operatorsshouldbe

awareofanillusionknownas‘wireblindness’.Thisstateoccurswhenanoperatorknowsthataconductorexistsbuteithercannotseeitorlosessightofit.Inthese

circumstances,adequatecontingenciesshouldbeemployed.

B.2.4 Working on or from poles and towers

Sourcesofriskswhenworkingonorfromapoleortowerinclude:

• Electricshocksfrommultiplesourcesofpotential,oftenuninsulatedand

uncovered.Thesesourcesinclude:

- highvoltagecircuits;

- lowvoltagecircuits;

- multipleandcommonearthsystems,includingaerialearths;

- streetlightmainsthattestasbothanactiveandaneutraldependingon

thestatusofthecontrolcontractor;

- earthedmetalworkandlightingarrestors;and

- earthedcatenarysystemssuchashighvoltageaerialbundledconductor,

pilotwiresandbroadbandcommunicationcable(BBCC–cableTV).

• Clashingofconductorsandconductorscontactingothercircuits.• Stepandtouchpotentialsatgroundlevelandabove.Thesemaybecausedby

anumberoffactorsrangingfromfailinginsulatorstoincorrectconnections

(includingincorrectpolarity).

• Failureofconductors,cross-armsorpoles,creatingrapidmovementsthatcan

causeworkerstotouchenergisedparts.

• Injuryandillnessfrom‘suspensiontrauma’.Ifrestrainedafterafall,aperson

maysuffer‘suspensiontrauma’iflefthangingintheharness.

• Workingnearexposedlivepartse.g.workingonde-energisedlowvoltagewhile

thehighvoltageaboveisenergised.Thishasrisksassociatednotonlywith

thehighvoltagebutwithhighvoltagecausinginductioninthelowvoltage.



76

• Effectsthatmaybebeyondtheimmediatecontroloftheworkgroup

including:

- lightning;

- windgustscausingmovementaswellasstaticeffects;and

- vehicleshittingpoles.

Electricalworkandassociatedworkonorfromapoleshouldbeperformed

onlyafterariskassessmenthasbeencarriedoutandthenonlyinlinewithan

effectivelyimplementedsafesystemofwork.

Workshouldnotbeginuntilthepolehasbeenexaminedandevaluatedassafetoclimborworkon.Therequirementforanexaminationshouldapplyregardlessof:

• thetypeofstructurei.e.wood,steelorconcrete;

• whetherapoleisownedbyasupplyentityornot;and

• whethertheworkistobeperformedfromthepoleorfromanotherdevice

suchasanelevatingworkplatform.

Aspartoftheexaminationandevaluation,abelowgroundinspectionmaybe

necessary.

Wherethetiploadingisbeingaltered,workproceduresshouldincludemethods

thatwillpreventstructuralfailure.Further,anengineeringassessmentshould

beconductedifthetiploadingistobealteredpermanentlyorwherework

procedurescannotensurestructuralstability.Ifloadingofapoleisaltered

considerationshouldbegiventotheeffectthismayhaveonadjacentpoles.

Structuresandinsulatorssupportinglivehighvoltageconductorsshouldbe

checkedtoidentifyconditionsthatmayresultinleakagethroughthepole.Where

leakageissuspected,furthertestsshouldbedonetodeterminewhetherthe

structureissafetoclimb.

B.2.4.1 Work practices

Asafesystemofworkthatiseffectiveinensuringelectricalsafetyshouldensure

atleastthefollowing:

• clearinstructionsaregivenaboutworkingliveandde-energised;

• isolationandaccessareintroducedtocreateanelectricallysafeenvironment;

• requirementsforalteringloadingsonstructuresarecommunicated;and

• thestabilityofthestructureisassessedasadequate.



77

Thefollowingprecautionsshouldbetakenwhenpolesandtowersareworkedon:

• Whenconductorsarereleasedortensioned,tensionshouldbealteredinaway

thatcontrolstheireffectonstructuralstability.

• Inparticular,conductorsshouldnotbecutandallowedtofall.Thispractice

maycausedangerouswhip,leadingtostructuralfailure.

• Additionalorheaviermainsshouldbetensionedsothatanoverallbalancein

tensioniscloselymaintainedonthecrossarmandpole.

• Crossarms,armchecks,boltholes,boltsandthepoleheadshouldbe

examinedfordeteriorationorweaknessbeforeheavierormoreheavily

tensionedconductorsareadded.• Workpracticesshouldalsoensurethatobjectsarenotdroppedorallowedto

fallfromheights.

B.2.4.2 Wooden poles

Forwoodenpolesownedbyanelectricityentity,theexaminationshould

includeacheckformarkingssuchas’suspect’(onediagonalpaintedstripe)or

’unserviceable’(paintedcross).Forotherpoles,workersshouldconsulttheasset

owneroroperator.Fungusandloosesapwoodshouldnotobscurethesemarkings.

Structuralintegritycanbecheckedbyusinganappropriatemethodsuchasa

ropetest.Wherearopetestcannotbesafelyorpracticallycompleted,asuitable

procedureforidentifyingpoledefectsshouldbeused.

Ifapoleisnotmarkedassuspectorunserviceable,itshouldbetestedtoensure

thatthepoleissafetoclimboraccess.Inthiscase,thefollowingtestsshouldbe

considered:

• aropetest;

• abelowgroundinspection;and• ‘sounding’thepolebyusingahammerormaultodetectunsoundstructures.

Duringthesetests,appropriateactionshouldbetakentoensureco-workersand

othersaresafefromfallingobjectsetc.

A‘laddertest’–oranyothermethodoftestingapolebyimposingpressurevia

aladder–shouldnotbeusedasanappropriatewayofdeterminingifapoleis

sound.



78

B.2.4.3 Concrete polesConcretepolesareconductive,especiallywhenwet.Theconductivityoccursboth

throughmetalfittingsconnectedtothereinforcementandthroughtheconcrete

surface.Therefore,thesurfaceofaconcretepoleandallmetalworkbolted,

clampedorbondedtoaconcretepoleshouldbetreatedasconductive.Take

appropriaterisktreatmentmeasuressuchasusingbarriersandinsulatedmats.

B.2.4.4 Steel poles

Withsteelpoles,internalandexternalcorrosioncancreatetheriskofstructural

failure.Inspectionandtestingshouldincludeanysignsofcorrosion-inducedstructuraldamage.

Thisshouldincludethefollowingtests:

• aropetest;and

• abelowgroundinspection.

Duringthesetests,appropriateactionshouldbetakentoensureco-workersand

othersaresafefromfallingobjectsetc.

Steelpoleshavevariousshapesandsizes.Safeworkpracticeswhenusingaladder

andpoleplatformsneedtoensurethatthedevicescanbefittedsoundly.Safe

workpracticesshouldincludepreventingpeoplefromfallingfromheights.

B.2.4.5 Working on unserviceable or suspect poles

Insomecases,additionalstrengtheningandsupportmaynotbeinstalledbefore

workisdoneonan’unserviceable’or’suspect’pole.

Whenthishappens,anappropriatelyexperiencedandqualifiedpersonshould

evaluatethepole’sconditiontodecidewhetherthepolecanbesafelyclimbed,

workedon,orboth.Additionalmeasurestoensuresafetymayinclude:

• Securingthepole’sbasebydrivingatleastthreelonggadsintotheground

aroundthepoleandthenlashingthemtoit.Theheadofthepoleshouldalso

besecured,usingatleastthreestaysattachedashighaspossible.

• Holdingthepoleatheadandgroundlevelwithapolelifterorcraneof

suitablesize.

• Attachingsuitablestayequipmentthatwillholdthepoleuprightunderall

conductortensionsandsubsequenttwisting.



79

• Whenthereplacementpoleiscloseenough,performworkassociatedwiththe

oldpolebyworkingfromthenewpole.Theoldpoleshouldbelashedtothe

newoneandstayed,sothatwhenconductorsarereleased,theoldpolewill

notfall.

Polebuoysorpikesmayprovideasatisfactorytemporarymeansofsupporting

badlydeterioratedpoles.Whenapolehastobeclimbed,polebuoysrequire

additionalstayingifusedforsupport.Otherwise,polebuoysarenotsuitablefor

thetask.

Whenreleasingconductorsfromanunserviceablepole,holdtheconductorsunder

controlandreleasethemslowlysothatyoucannotetheireffectonthepole

beforeyoureleasethemcompletely.Ifpolestabilitydependsontheconductors

beingreleased,additionalstaysshouldbeinstalledtomaintainorincrease

stability.

Ifthepolecannotbeheldorsupportedsothatalltheconductorscanbesafely

removed,noattemptshouldbemadetoclimborworkonthepoleuntilitissafe

toperformthework.Thepoleshouldbemadeassecureaspossiblewithavailable

equipment.

B.2.4.6 Electrical leakage procedures for poles

Beforeclimbinganypolesupportinglivehighvoltageconductors,makeavisual

inspectionforanyevidenceofleakage.Ifyouseeevidenceofpoletopfiresor

otherfiredamage,damagedorpollutedinsulators,oraconductor,tiewireor

debristouchingthepoleorcrossarm,youshouldensurethepoleistestedor

inspectedfordamageorboth.

Whenconductorattachmentscannotbeclearlyassessedfromthegroundbecause

ofwetweatherorpoorvisibility,adetection/inspectionshouldbecarriedout.

Whereleakageissuspectedonpolessupportingbroadbandcommunicationcables

(BBCC),appropriateproceduresshouldbeusedtodetectleakage.Theseprocedures

shouldaddresstherisksassociatedwithtestingnearexposedhighandlow

voltageconductors.TheyshouldalsolookatwhetheranyleakagethroughaBBCC

supportingconductormightaffectthedetection’svalidity.

Whereleakageissuspected,workshouldnotbecarriedoutuntilthepolehas

beenconfirmedsafetoworkonorfrom.



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Figure 6: Rope pull test

B.2.4.7 Rope testing

Thefollowingitemsshouldbeaddressedwhenperformingaropetestonapole:

• Ensuremembersofthepublicandworkersaresafe.

• Thefollowingprocessshouldbeconsidered:

- extendaladderwithropeattachedtothetopstileorheadoftheladderas

farupthepoleaspractical;

- applypressureascloseaspossibletotheheadofthepoleonthesideor

inthedirectionleastsupportedbystaysorconductors;

- twopeopleshouldpullontheropeorropeswhilestandingasfaras

practicalfromthebaseofthepole;theropepullersshouldbelocatedon

theoppositesideofthepolefromtheladder(refertoFigure6–Ropepull

test);and

- duringthetest,pressuremustbeappliedprogressivelyorgradually;avoid

aggressiveorjerkyactions.

• Theropemustbelongenoughtoensureoperatorsaresafeifapoleshould

fail.



81

• Signsoffailureincludeexcessivemovement,signsandsoundsofsplitting.

• Otherpeopleshouldbekeptoutoftheareaduringthetest.

• If,duringaproceduretodeterminewhetherthepoleisstable,thereisany

doubtaboutthepole’ssoundness,thepolemustberegardedas‘suspect’.

Providepolesupportbeforeproceedingfurther.

B.2.5 Tagging out of service

Whenequipment,partsordevicesarenottobeused,theitemoritemsshouldbe

madesafe(e.g.isolated)andtaggedoutofservice.Examplesofwheretaggingout

ofserviceshouldoccurinclude:

• toolsandequipmentthatarefaulty,defectiveoroutoftestdate;and

• plantandequipmentthatisunsafe,underrepairorbeingmaintained.

Taggingoutofserviceisarisktreatmentmeasurethatphysicallyexcludesitems

fromuseandshouldformpartofasafesystemofwork.Tagsusedshouldcomply

withanappropriatestandard(refertoalsoPart3.4.2).

B.2.6 Excavation near energised cables

Workersinvolvedinexcavationshouldbeawareofthepossibilityofelectric

shockandexplosionsassociatedwithdamagedundergroundcables.Itcanbe

difficulttotellthedifferencebetweenhighvoltageandlowvoltagecables.There

isapotentialforinjuryanddeathiflowvoltageandhighvoltagecablesare

damaged.

Evenearthed,metal-sheathedcablescancauseinjuriesifdamaged,because

protectivesystemsmaynotalwaysoperatefastenoughtopreventinjury.

B.2.6.1 Precautions before excavationBeforeexcavation,youshouldcontacttheorganisationDialBeforeYouDig4,

afreeenquiryreferralserviceforinformationonundergroundassetsanywhere

inAustralia.Forfurtherinformation,contactDialBeforeYouDigbyanyofthe

followingmethods:

4 DialBeforeYouDigcontactsmemberassetownerswhohaveservicesatorneartheproposedexcavationsiteand

willarrangeforinformationabouttheseservicestobesent.Assetownerswillusuallyrespondwithintwoworking

daysandmayprovidecopiesofundergroundserviceplans.ItmustbeemphasisedthatDialBeforeYouDigisa

referralandinformationserviceonlyandisnotthelegalownerofsiteinformation.DialBeforeYouDigdoesnotgoon-siteandfindthephysicallocationoftheundergroundservice.



82

• telephone1100;

• fax1300652077;or

• onlineatwww.dialbeforeyoudig.com.au.

B.2.6.2 Using mechanical excavation equipment

Asafesystemofworkshoulddeterminebeforehandhowclosemachinery,suchas

backhoes,excavators,horizontalborersandchaindiggers,canexcavatenear:

• cablesorcablejoints;

• earthsystemsorgrids;• conduitsorducts;

• undergroundpillars,pitsorequipment;and

• cableprotection(mechanical)suchascovertiles,slabsorstrips.

Ifitisnecessarytoexcavateneartheitemsabove,theworkshouldbedoneby

handexcavationorwithhandtools.

Theplantoperatorshouldbeguidedbyanotherworkerpositionedtowarnthe

operatorifthemachineappearslikelytoventuretoocloseortocausedamage.

Pneumaticorotherpoweredexcavationtools,suchasjackhammers,shouldnotbe

usednearconduitsthatcontainlivecables.

Whenusingpoweredtoolstoexcavatebesideorarounddirect-laidcablesinrock

orhardfill,existingcablesshouldbeprotectedincasethemachineslips.

B.2.6.3 Excavating concrete-encased conduits

Excavatingconcrete-encasedconduitscontaininglivecablescanbehazardousif

appropriateprecautionsarenottaken.Explosionsandelectricshockcanresult.

Itispreferabletoremovecablesfromtheconduitwhiletheworkisdone.

Ifthecablescannotberemoved,theyshouldbede-energised.Handexcavation

shouldbeused,atleastuntilenoughofanopeninghasbeenmadeintheconduit

topermittheinstallationofmechanicalprotection.



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B.2.7 Vegetation management, chainsaws and electricalworkers

Ifanelectricalworkerisrequiredtoperformvegetationmanagementnearexposed

liveparts,anumberofadditionalrisksshouldbemanaged.Typically,thiswork

rangesfromclearingvinesthathavegrownintoaswitchboardtotrimmingtrees

tomaintainclearancesfromoverheadpowerlines.

Inadditiontorisksassociatedwithgeneralvegetationmanagementandchainsaw

use,electricalrisksinclude:

• Asituationwhereobjectsfallagainstenergisedconductors.Theconductors

mayormaynotbebaree.g.treetrimmingfromgroundlevelwherethetree

orpartofthetreemaytouchexposedliveparts,causingstepandtouch

potentialsatgroundlevelormainstoclashorboth.

• Asituationwhereobjectsfallacrossorontoconductorse.g.whenremoving

anunserviceablewoodenpolelocatedbetweenenergisedmains,objects

shouldnotbeallowedtofallacrossconductors.Anincidentofthiskindcan

createelectricalormechanicalrisksorboth,forexample,bycausingalive

conductortofalltotheground.

• Thelikelihoodofacurrentpaththroughthevegetationshouldalsobe

addressed.Aworkermayreceiveanelectricshockviathevegetationor

causeafaultorboth.Currentmaytracktoearthorbetweenphasesviathe

vegetation.

B.2.8 Use of tools

Pooruseoftoolscanexposeworkerstoelectricalrisksincluding:

• electricshockandexplosionifanenergisedcableiscut,regardlessofwhether

bycablecuttersorahacksaw;

• strippingcablecancauseinjuriesrangingfromelectricshocktoburnsand

cuts;and

• tighteningconnectionscancauseshortcircuitsandexplosionse.g.aspanner

canslipandbridgetwophases,resultinginburns.

Thesetoolsshouldbeusedaccordingtomanufacturer’sinstructionsandan

effective,safesystemofwork.

Toolsshouldberestrainedattheworkpositiontopreventthemfromfallinginto

liveswitchboardsorjammingcontrolse.g.inanEWP.Theuseoflanyardsaround



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wrists,toolholdersandtoolrestraintsincludingtoolpouchesandbaskets,should

beaddressed.

ReferalsotoPart4.4forfurtherinformationontools,instrumentsandequipment.

B.3 General elements of a safe system of work

AsafesystemofworkisspecifiedintheRegulationandisdescribedinAS/

NZS4836.Generally,forasafesystemofworktoexist,peopleshouldbeableto

demonstratethattheyhaveidentifiedandaddressedrisksassociatedwithworkers’

safety.

Typically,thereshouldbeplanningandpre-preparedactions,recordsand

evidencethattheactionshavebeenaddressed.

RefertoPart4.3forrequirementsforasafesystemtoperformlivework.

Commonelementsofasafesystemofworkthatshouldapplytoallelectrical

work,bothliveandde-energised,include:

• thesafesystemofworkshouldbedrawnupwithpeople,whoare

representativeofelectricalworkers;• thesystemshouldbeconsistentwith,andshouldcomplement,other

managementsystemssuchasgeneralworkplacehealthandsafety,

environmentalsystems,andqualitysystems;and

• asafesystemofworkshouldincludepracticalguidanceonatleastthe

following:

- electricalaccess;

- physicalaccess;

- safeelectricalworkpractices;

- tools,instrumentsandsafetyequipmentusedforelectricalwork;and

- testingandfaultfinding.

B.4 High voltage isolation and access

B.4.1 General

Relevantriskslistedin4.3ofthisCodealsoapplytohighvoltage.Additional

sourcesofrisksforhighvoltageisolationandaccessinclude:

• inductionfromothercircuitsandcommunicationsequipmentsuchasradio

transmitters;



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• buildupofstaticchargesduetoweatherconditions;

• ferro-resonance;

• transferredearthpotentials;

• feedbackfromsecondaryortertiarysystems;

• storedenergyinhighvoltagecapacitorbanks;and

• workingunderoroverotherliveconductors.

Fromanelectricalsafetyperspective,therisksandconsequencesofanincident

involvinghighvoltagearesignificantlyhigher.Underfaultconditions,thehigher

potentials(voltages)andfaultcurrentlevelsreleasemassivequantitiesofenergy.Risktreatmentmeasuresshouldbeadoptedtoreduceexposuretotheserisks.

B.4.2 High voltage isolation and access system

Peoplenearexposedlivehighvoltagepartsmustmaintaintheexclusionzone

limitsdetailedinAppendixCofthisCode.Undersection64oftheRegulation,

wherepeopleintrudewithintheexclusionzonelimitsforexposedlivehigh

voltageparts,thepartsmustbede-energisedandearthedandtestedtoconfirm

thatitisisolatedfromallsourcesofelectricity.

TheprinciplesinPart2.3ofthisCodealsoapplytohighvoltage.Elementsofa

safesystemofworkforhighvoltageisolationandaccessshouldinclude:

• Amechanismtoinstructpeopleonwhattoisolatetopermitaccesstothe

highvoltagepartsaswellastosurrenderaccessandreverseisolation,and

howtodoit.

• Effectiveisolationtopreventlightning,switchingsurgesorothereventsfrom

compromisingtheisolationpointorpoints.Electricalsafetyintheareafor

accessshouldnotbecompromised.

• Workpracticesanddevicesusedforearthingandshort-circuitingshouldbecapableofwithstandingthevariousprospectivefaultcurrentlevelsand

clearingtimesorfaultduration.

• Exceptinemergencysituations,authoritytoaccesshighvoltagepartsthat

havebeenearthedandshortcircuitedshouldbeprovidedbywayofawritten

permitorauthority.Thepermitorauthoritymaybeissuedbytelephoneor

radioetc.

• Inemergencysituationstheactionstakenshouldberecorded.

• Testingtoprovede-energised.



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• Wherepossible,workandaccessshouldoccurwithvisibleearthsandshort

circuitdevices.

• Placementof’otherprecautions’shouldbearisktreatmentmeasurefor

directingpeopletoelectricallysafeworkareas.Otherprecautionsusually

include:

- tapingorropingoff;

- safetysigns;and

- barriers.

• Amechanismorprocessimplementedthatdemonstratesthattheisolationand

accessprocessisbeingcompliedwithatalllevels.

• Havingmechanismsinplacetodealwithprotectionoperationsthatminimise

exposuretoelectricalrisks.Ifafeedertripsor‘locksout’,whetherornotafter

re-closing,theactionstoenergisethefeedershouldbeoutlined.

• Effectiveisolationtoincludecontrolcircuitsandsecondarysystems.Unlessfit

forpurpose,anopenhighvoltagecircuitbreakershouldnotbeconsideredan

effectiveisolationpoint.

• Proceduresormechanismstobeinplacetoaddressworkerandcommunity

safetyinemergenciese.g.damagefromcyclones,mainsontheground.

Earthinginstalledinapowersystemisonemethodusedtopreventorminimise

electricshocks.Whenoperatingapowersystem(e.g.toswitch,de-energise,

isolate,provede-energised)additionalriskscouldbepresent.Forexample,when

apowersystemisoperated,voltagetransientsofshortdurationcancreatelethal

stepandtouchpotentials.Transientscanoccurwhennetworkoperationscause

hugequantitiesofelectricalenergytostopflowingsuddenly.

Asitisforeseeablethatlethallevelsofstepandtouchpotentialwillexist,

appropriaterisktreatmentmeasuresshouldbeused.Dependingonthesituation,

methods,oracombinationofmethods,thatshouldbeconsideredinclude:

• Designandinstallationmeasures:

- physicallyseparateorisolatearticlese.g.mounttheequipmentinasafe

locationsuchasabove2.4metres;and

- usealternativeinsulation,betterearthing,orboth.

• Operationalmeasures:

- useofinsulatingglovesormats,orboth,whenperformingsystem

operations;or



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- useofequipotentialzoneswhereconductivematerialscreateazone

aroundtheworker,sothattheeffectsofstepandtouchpotentialsare

negligible.

Ifinsulatingglovesormatsorbotharechosen,theyshouldbeusedinatleastthe

followingsituations:

• operatinghighvoltageisolators,switchgearandearthswitchesviahandles,

operatingrodsandsimilarequipment;

• applyingandremovingportableearthsandshortcircuits;and

• usinghighvoltagetestdevices,operatingrods,measuringsticksetcon,or

near,highvoltageparts.



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Appendix C: Exclusion zones for electrical partsThesetablesareareproductionofschedule2fromtheRegulation.

Part 1: Exclusion zones for exposed parts for UNTRAINED PERSONS and for

operating plant and vehicles operated by untrained persons

Nominal phase tophase voltage of

exposed part

Untrained personfor the exposed part

(mm)

Operating plantoperated by untrained

person for theexposed part (mm)

Vehicle operated byuntrained person

for the exposed part(mm)

Low voltage (with

consultation with

person in control of

exposed part)

1 000 3 000 600

Low voltage (without

consultation with


exposed part)

3 000 3 000 600

Above low voltage,

up to 33kV (with

consultation with

person in control of exposed part)

2 000 3 000 900

Above low voltage, up

to 33kV (without

consultation with


exposed part)

3 000 3 000 900

Above 33 kV up to

50 kV

3 000 3 000 2 100

Above 50 kV up to

66 kV

3 000 3 000 2 100

Above 66 kV up to

110 kV

3 000 3 000 2 100

Above 110 kV up to

132 kV

3 000 3 000 2 100

Above 132 kV up

to 220 kV

4 500 6 000 2 900

Above 220 kV up to

275 kV

5 000 6 000 2 900

Above 275 kV up to

330 kV

6 000 6 000 3 400



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exposed part

Untrained personfor the exposed part

(mm)

Operating plantoperated by untrained

person for theexposed part (mm)

Vehicle operated byuntrained person

for the exposed part(mm)

Above 330 kV up to

400 kV

6 000 8 000 4 400

Above 400 kV up

to 500 kV

6 000 8 000 4 400

Nominal pole to earthdc voltage of exposedpart

+/- 25 kV 3 000 3 000 900

+/- 85 kV 3 000 3 000 2 100

+/- 150 kV 3 000 3 000 2 100

+/- 270 kV 4 500 6 000 2 900

+/- 350 kV 5 000 6 000 2 900

+/- 400 kV 6 000 6 000 3 400

Part 2: Exclusion zones for exposed parts for AUTHORISED AND

INSTRUCTED PERSONS and for operating plant and vehicles operated

by authorised or instructed persons


exposed part

Authorised personor instructed personfor the exposed part

(mm)

Operating plantoperated by

authorised personor instructed personfor the exposed part,with safety observer

or another safesystem (mm)

Vehicle operated byauthorised person

or instructed personfor the exposed part

(mm)

Low voltage (with

consultation with


exposed part)

(No exclusion zone

prescribed)

1 000 600

Low voltage (without

consultation with


exposed part)

(No exclusion zone

prescribed)

1 000 600

Above low voltage,

up to 33kV (with

consultation with

person in control of exposed part)

700 1 200 700



90


exposed part

Authorised personor instructed personfor the exposed part

(mm)


authorised personor instructed personfor the exposed part,with safety observer

or another safesystem (mm)

Vehicle operated byauthorised person

or instructed personfor the exposed part

(mm)

Above low voltage, up

to 33kV (without

consultation with


exposed part)

700 1 200 700

Above 33 kV up to

50 kV

750 1 300 750

Above 50 kV up to

66 kV

1 000 1 400 1 000

Above 66 kV up to

110 kV

1 000 1 800 1 000

Above 110 kV up to

132 kV

1 200 1 800 1 200

Above 132 kV up

to 220 kV

1 800 2 400 1 800

Above 220 kV up to

275 kV

2 300 3 000 2 300

Above 275 kV up to

330 kV

3 000 3 700 3 000

Above 330 kV up to

400 kV

3 300 4 000 3 300

Above 400 kV up

to 500 kV

3 900 4 600 3 900

Nominal pole to earthdc voltage of exposedpart

+/- 25 kV 700 1 200 700

+/- 85 kV 1 000 1 800 1 000

+/- 150 kV 1 200 1 800 1 200

+/- 270 kV 1 800 2 400 1 800

+/- 350 kV 2 500 3 200 2 500

+/- 400 kV 2 900 3 600 1 900



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Part 3: Exclusion zones for low voltage overhead insulated electric line for

UNTRAINED PERSONS and for operating plant or vehicles operated by

untrained persons

Low voltage overheadinsulated electric line

Untrained person(mm)

Operating plantoperated by untrainedperson for the electric

line (mm)

Vehicle operated byuntrained person for the electric line (mm)

With consultation

with, and insulation

verified by, an

authorised person for

the electric line

(No exclusion zone

prescribed)

1 000 300

Without consultation

with, and without

insulation verified by,

an authorised person

for the electric line

3 000 3 000 600

Part 4: Exclusion zones for low voltage overhead insulated electric line for

AUTHORISED OR INSTRUCTED persons and for operating plant or

vehicles operated by authorised or instructed persons

Low voltage overheadinsulated electric line

Authorised person or instructed person for the electric line (mm)


authorised person or instructed person for the electric line, with

safety observer or another safe system

(mm)

Vehicle operated byauthorised person or instructed person for the electric line (mm)

With consultation

with, and insulation

verified by, an

authorised person forthe electric line

(No exclusión zone

prescribed)

(No exclusion zone

prescribed)

(No exclusion zone

prescribed)

Without consultation

with, and without

insulation verified by,

an authorised person

for the electric line

(No exclusion zone

prescribed)

1 000 600



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Part 5: Exclusion zones for high voltage overhead insulated electric line for

UNTRAINED PERSONS and for operating plant or vehicles operated by

untrained persons

Nominal phase tophase voltage of high

voltage overheadinsulated electric line

Untrained person for the electric line (mm)

Operating plantoperated by untrainedperson for the electric

line (mm)

Vehicle operated byuntrained person for the electric line (mm)

Above low voltage,

up to 33kV (with

consultation with


electric line)

2 000 3 000 900

Above low voltage,

up to 33kV (without

consultation with


electric line)

3 000 3 000 900

Above 33 kV up to

50 kV

3 000 3 000 2 100

Above 50 kV up to

66 kV

3 000 3 000 2 100

Nominal pole to earthdc voltage of electricline

+/- 25 kV 3 000 3 000 900

+/- 85 kV 3 000 3 000 2 100



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Part 6: Exclusion zones for high voltage overhead insulated electric line for

AUTHORISED AND INSTRUCTED persons and for operating plant and

vehicles operated by authorised or instructed persons

Nominal phase tophase voltage of high

voltage overheadinsulated electric line

Authorised person or instructed person for

electric line (mm)


authorised personor instructed personfor electric line, with

safety observer or another safe system

(mm)

Vehicle operated byauthorised person or instructed person for

electric line (mm)

Above low voltage,

up to 33kV (with

consultation with


electric line)

700 700 700

Above low voltage,

up to 33kV (without

consultation with


electric line)

700 700 700

Above 33 kV up to50 kV

750 750 750

Above 50 kV up to

66 kV

1 000 1 000 1 000

Nominal pole to earthdc voltage of electricline

+/- 25 kV 700 700 700

+/- 85 kV 1 000 1 000 1 000



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Appendix D: Electrical Safety Act 2002 TheActimposeselectricalsafetyobligationsonpersonsfortheelectricalsafety

ofothers.Apersoncanhaveanelectricalsafetyobligationinmorethanone

capacity.Forexample,acorporationmayhaveanobligationnotonlyasa

generationentitybutalsoasanemployer,supplierorpersonincontrol.

WheretheWorkplace Health and Safety Act 1995andtheElectrical Safety Act

2002bothapply,theElectrical Safety Act 2002takesprecedence.

ThefollowingaresectionsoftheActwhichhavebeenreferencedinthisCode.Fordetailedinformation,pleaseseetheappropriatesectionoftheAct.

Part 2 Electrical safety obligations

Division 2 Electrical safety obligations

Section29 Obligationofelectricityentity

Section30 Obligationofemployerorself-employedperson

Section31 Obligationofdesignerofelectricalequipment

Section32 Obligationofmanufacturerofelectricalequipment

Section33 Obligationofimporterofelectricalequipment

Section34 Obligationofsupplierofelectricalequipment

Section35 Additionalobligationofdesigner,manufacturer,importeror

supplierofelectricalequipment

Section36 Obligationofinstallerofelectricalequipmentorelectrical

installation

Section37 Obligationofrepairerofelectricalequipmentorelectrical

installation

Section38 Obligationofpersonincontrolofelectricalequipment

Section39 Obligationsofworker

Section40 Obligationsofotherperson

Part 4 Licences

Division 1 Requirements for electrical licences

Section55 Requirementforelectricalworklicence



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Appendix E: Electrical Safety Regulation 2002TheRegulationensurestheelectricalsafetyoflicensedelectricalworkers,other

workers,licensedelectricalcontractors,consumersandthegeneralpublic.Itdoes

thisbyprescribinghowobligationssetdownundertheActcanbemet.

ThefollowingaresectionsoftheRegulationwhichhavebeenreferencedin

thisCode.Fordetailedinformation,pleaseseetheappropriatesectionofthe

Regulation.

Part 2 Electrical work Division 2 Basic requirements for electrical work

Section11 Requirementsforelectricalwork

Section12 Requirementsforperformanceoflivework

Division 4 Testing of work

Section14 Testingofelectricalequipmentafterelectricalwork

Section15 Certificateoftestingandsafety

Division 5 Requirements applying to employers and self-employed persons

Section16 Applicationofdiv5

Section17 Testingandmaintenanceofsafetyequipment

Section18 Employerorself-employedpersontoensuresuitabilityoftesting

instruments

Division 6 Other requirements

Section19 Electricalequipmentwithseriousdefectnottobeconnectedto

electricitysource

Section20 Signsonswitchesanddisconnectionpoints

Section21 Rescueandresuscitationtraining

Division 7 Documents about electrical work


Section23 Whomaysigndocumentsaboutelectricalwork

Section24 Misrepresentationsaboutelectricalequipmentorwork

Section24A Misrepresentationsaboutlawfulauthoritytocontractforthe

performanceofelectricalwork

Part 4 Working around electrical parts

Division 1 Preliminary

Section58 Purposeofpt4



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Section59 Definitionsforpt4

Section61 Meaningofexclusion zone

Section62 Employerorself-employedpersontoensureworkisperformedin

accordancewithrequirements

Section62A Principalcontractorforconstructionworkplace–excavatingand

undergroundelectricalservices

Section62C Employerorself-employedpersonatconstructionworkplace–

excavatingandundergroundelectricalservices

Section62D Employerorself-employedpersonnotatconstructionworkplace

–excavatingandundergroundelectricalservices

Section63 WorkinvolvingdirectcontactwithelectricalpartSection64 Workwithinexclusionzoneforelectricalpart

Division 3 Consultation with persons in control of electrical lines

Section64A Requirementtoconsult

Part 5 Electrical installations

Division 1 Performing electrical work

Section69 Workinvolvingelectricmotorformingpartofvehicle

Division 5 Workplace electrical installations

Section82 Purposeofdiv5

Section83A Meaningofrural industry work

Subdivision 2 All work


Section85 Cordextensionsetsandflexiblecables

Subdivision 3 Construction work

Section87 Requirementsforconstructionwiringandelectricalequipment

Subdivision 4 Manufacturing work

Section89 Doubleadaptorsandpiggybackplugsprohibited

Section90 Specifiedelectricalequipment

Section90A Manufacturingwork–safetyswitch

Section90B Exemptionforsafetyswitches

Section91 Safetyswitches,includingportablesafetyswitches

Subdivision 5 Service work or office work

Section93 Specifiedelectricalequipment

Section94 Safetyswitches,includingportablesafetyswitches



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Subdivision 6 Amusement work

Section94B Doubleadaptorsandpiggybackplugsprohibited

Section94C Specifiedelectricalequipment

Section94D Amusementdevicesandamusementrides

Section94E Safetyswitches,includingportablesafetyswitches

Subdivision 7 Rural industry work

Section94G Requirementsforruralindustrywork

Part 8 Electricity supply

Division 1 Connection to source of electricity

Section149 Electricalinstallationwithseriousdefectnottobeconnectedto

electricitysource

Section150 Electricalinstallationnottobeconnectedtoelectricitysourceif

worknottested

Section151 Electricalinstallationnottobeinitiallyconnectedtoelectricity

sourcewithoutexaminationandtesting

Section152 Reconnectionofelectricalinstallationtoelectricitysource

Section154 Licensedelectricalcontractornottoconnectelectricitysource

withoutbeingsatisfiedofcompliancewithActandRegulation

Section155 Disconnectionandreconnectionoflowvoltageelectricalinstallation

Division 3 Testing

Section158 Noticebylicensedelectricalcontractoroftest

Section159 Certificateoftestingandcompliance

Section160 Performanceofexaminationortest

Part 12 Incident notification and reporting

Section196 Employerorself-employedpersontoadvisechiefexecutiveof

seriouselectricalincidentordangerouselectricaleventSection201 Scenenottobeinterferedwith

Part 13 Miscellaneous provisions

Division 3 Other matters

Section208 Climbingpolesofelectricityentityprohibited

Section209 Obligationsofemployeraboutsupervisingtrainingperson

Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010

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Transcript of Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010