Electrical Safety

There are a range of considerations that the person in control of a workplace must consider with respect to electrical systems and equipment.

All fixed electrical installations must satisfy the applicable state and power company requirements, including Australian Standards such as AS3000. 

A competent (licensed/certified) person must carry out all electrical work performed on any electrical installation.   No other person other than a registered electrical worker should be allowed to touch any part of the electrical installation or any electrical equipment. In some states such as Victoria, this extends to the issue of a certificate of compliance for completed work.

Testing and tagging must be carried out in accordance with AS3760 In-Service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.  Equipment requiring inspection and testing includes:

• Portable, hand held and stationary appliances designed for connection to low voltage by a flexible cord
• Extension cords
• Power boards
• Fixed equipment with a flexible cord
• Portable isolation transformers
• RCDs and ELCBs

The frequency of testing is described in AS3760 and the Safety@Work documents provided below.  Testing and tagging must be carried out by a 'competent' person, including electricians and trained test and tag specialists.

The safety of operators of electrical equipment can be protected through the use of fixed or portable RCDs or ELCBs.  The requirements for the use of these are mandated in certain situations by legislation and Australian Standards. 

Electrical distribution boards should be in locked cabinets, marked with warning signs and clearly labelled to allow the isolation of specific circuits.  Double adapters and piggy back leads should not be used.

Power cords on worksites should be protected from damage and wear.  

Please refer to the Safety@Work documents below for guidance.