SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1.
Electrical work (including testing and tagging) must be carried out by a person who is competent to carry out the class of work involved.
2.
A competent person is one who has acquired through training, qualifications or experience the knowledge and skills required to carry out the task in a safe way.
Task sequence
1. Electrical installations

Identified hazards in task

Electric shock

2. Power tools, leads, safety

switches and power boards

Electric shock

3. Testing of electrical
equipment and tools, etc.

(a) Construction work (all)

(b) Assembly, fabrication,

installation, manufacturing,
maintenance, repair or
refurbishment work
(c) Service work

(d) Office work

SWP257 Version 1.2

Key processes to be followed

Unauthorised access to live electrical parts of installations (switchboards,
open fuses, etc) must be prevented by enclosing or fencing.
Power points, switches, fittings and installation must comply with Australian
Standard AS3000: Wiring rules.
All power points, switches and light fittings should be regularly checked for
damage or faults, and for safe and easy operation.
Visually check all tools and leads, etc, before use to detect faults or damage.
All power tools, leads, etc must have inspection tag fitted to plug end.
Extension leads must be an industrial type with shrouded socket.
Power boards and power outlets must not be overloaded.
Extension leads should be kept off ground where possible to avoid damage.
Safety switch (fixed or portable) must be used to protect all equipment.
Portable electrical equipment inspection at least every 3 months.
Fixed safety switch test at least monthly, inspection annually.
Portable safety switch test immediately after connection, then daily before
use, inspection every 3 months by a competent person.
Test results are to be entered into a record book logging all details of tests.
Double insulated equipment inspection at least every 12 months
Not double insulated inspect every 6 mths, must connect to safety switch.
Fixed safety switch test every 6 months, operating test annually.
Portable safety switch test before use or daily, inspection annually.
Test results are to be entered into a record book logging all details of tests.
All equipment in hostile environment - 12 months OR use safety switch.
Fixed safety switch test every 6 months, operating test annually.
Portable safety switch test before use or daily, inspection every 2 years.
Test results are to be entered into a record book logging all details of tests.
Equip. used in a hostile environment every 5 years or use safety switch.
Fixed safety switch test every 6 months, operating test annually.
Portable safety switch test before use or daily, inspection every 2 years.
Test results are to be entered into a record book logging all details of tests.

ASSA Pty Ltd

ThisSafeWorkProcedurewasgeneratedon29/11/2013byASSAPtyLtdforuseonlybyCityofDarwin.

Precautions / PPE required

Warning sign preventing access
must be placed on installation.
DO NOT use fittings which are
not approved or compliant.

DO NOT use faulty equipment.

DO NOT use if out of test.
Do not use domestic leads, etc.
Check total load does not exceed
rated capacity of board or outlet .
Inspection to be carried out by a
competent person.
Test safety switch using inbuilt
test button.
Inspection to be carried out by a
competent person.
Test safety switch using inbuilt
test button.
Inspection to be carried out by a
competent person.
Test safety switch using inbuilt
test button.
Inspection to be carried out by a
competent person.
Test safety switch using inbuilt
test button.

www.assaohs.com.au

Page 1 of 2

SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Task sequence
4. Installations in buildings,
etc.

Identified hazards in task

Electric shock

5. Underground services

Electric shock

6. Work near overhead

catenary wiring

Electric shock

SWP257 Version 1.2

Key processes to be followed

Work on electrical circuits must be carried out by a licensed electrician only.
Building circuits to which plant, machinery or appliances are connected
must be protected by an inbuilt safety switch at the switchboard.
Portable safety switches must be used on tools and appliances used on-site,
or where the power source is not protected by an in-built safety switch.
Locate all underground electrical services before commencing digging
or excavation in the vicinity of underground electrical services.
Be alert for marker tape in trench above conduits, and for bricks placed
above cables. Note some cables are oil-filled, and contact with the cable
casing could allow oil to leak. Report any damage immediately.
Do not apply any force to electrical conduits or cables.
Report any faults, damage or defects to the electricity authority immediately.
Do not backfill over faults or damaged sections unless ordered by authority.
Persons who are not experienced electrical workers must not come closer to
low voltage overhead catenary wiring than the safe approach distances
Using hand held tools 0.5m
Operation of crane or mobile plant 3.0m
Handling metal materials (scaffolding, guttering, pipes, etc) 4.0m
Handling non-conductive material (timber, ply, PVC, etc) 1.5m
Driving or operating a vehicle 0.6m.
If work cannot be carried out without encroaching within the safe approach
distances, the electrical authority should be contacted to determine a safe
method of carrying out the work (including isolation of the circuit).
Height warning bars should be used where plant and vehicles are required
to pass under catenary wires and there is a risk of the plant or vehicles
contacting the wires.
Physical protection (such as a gantry or similar construction beneath the
wires) to prevent plant and vehicles contacting the wiring should be
considered if the work will be of a longer duration.

ASSA Pty Ltd

ThisSafeWorkProcedurewasgeneratedon29/11/2013byASSAPtyLtdforuseonlybyCityofDarwin.

Precautions / PPE required

Authorised persons only are to
carry out electrical work.
Safety switches are to of an
approved type for the application.
Do not excavate until all services
have been located.
Excavate by hand around conduits
and cables.
Backfill around cables with clean
sand to prevent damage to cables.
Keep clear of damaged sections.
Insulating mats should be placed
on all power lines which may be
contacted during work process.
Use an observer to warn of
possible encroachment when
working near power lines.
Tiger tails, if fitted, are visual
warning only, and will not protect
from electrocution or shock if
wires are contacted.

www.assaohs.com.au

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