Electrical safety

Inspection and testing of electrical equipment

Electricity has the potential to cause serious injury or death from damaged or faulty electrical equipment.

If you are a business, employer or any other person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must make sure that electrical equipment is regularly inspected and tested by a competent person if the electrical equipment is -

1. supplied with electricity through an electrical socket outlet; and
2. used in an environment in which the normal use of electrical equipment exposes the equipment to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected life span, including conditions that involve exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust.

The Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment information sheet outlines your obligations under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA) and AS/NZS 3760:2010.

Code of Practice

The Code of Practice for Managing electrical risks in the workplace has been developed and approved to provide practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking on managing electrical risks in the workplace. It applies to all workplaces where a person conducting a business or undertaking:

• has management or control of electrical equipment, including electrical installations, or
• carries out electrical work on or near energised electrical equipment, including electrical installations.

Working safely near overhead powerlines

There are many hazards associated with working near powerlines. Electricity can be extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury or even death.

Electrical testing and safety observers

Our WHS laws introduced a new approach to a number of key areas, including high risk construction work, working on energised electrical equipment, safety observers and testing.