Background
The recent death of an electrician has highlighted the hazards created by electricity. The worker was electrocuted while removing cables from a modular type switchboard when the worker inadvertently contacted live parts in an adjoining module. The switchboard was thought to be fully isolated however the module in question contained live parts that supplied power to a number of essential services for the premises, including the fire fighting control system.
What should be done?
The attention of all electrical contractors and electricians is directed to the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Electrical Work) Regulation 2004, which expands the existing requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001. The regulation requires:
- That electrical work is not carried out while the circuits and apparatus of the part of the electrical installation that is being worked on are energised.
- That any electrical work on an electrical installation is carried out using a safe system of work, which must include checks to ensure that the circuits and apparatus of the part of the installation that is being worked on are not energised before work commences and remain that way until the work is completed, and measures to eliminate or control the risk of the person carrying out the work inadvertently contacting any part of the installation that remains energised.
- Generally, live electrical work cannot be justified. The only variation to this requirement is where the electrical work is necessary in the interests of safety and the risk of harm would be greater if the circuits and electrical apparatus were de-energised before the work commenced. Only in this situation can live electrical work proceed. The work must be performed in the presence of a safety observer who is competent to perform the particular task that is to be carried out and competent in electrical rescue and CPR. The safe system of work also encompasses a list of other mandatory safety measures.
- Testing and fault finding on live circuits must be carried out using a safe system of work including a risk assessment in respect of the tests and a list of other mandatory safety measures. Note: The risk assessment may identify the need for the presence of a safety observer who is competent to assist the persons who are conducting the tests and competent in electrical rescue and CPR.
What this safety alert excludes
The provisions of this safety alert do not apply to electrical work that is performed on the electricity supply network under the Electricity Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2002.
Further information
WorkCover has produced the Code of Practice: Low Voltage Electrical Work. The Code provides employers, with practical guidance on measures to eliminate or control the risks to employees and other workers who perform electrical work on low voltage electrical installations.
For further information contact your local WorkCover NSW office listed in the telephone directory or ring the WorkCover Assistance Service on 13 10 50 or visit WorkCover’s website at www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.
Note: This safety alert should be read in conjunction with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000.
Produced by State Coordinator- Electrical
Plant Team, Hazard Management Group