Construction safety focus:
Electrical safety
June 2018
We’re focusing on
electrical safety
WorkSafe inspectors are visiting
construction sites to ensure duty
holders are controlling risks associated
with electrocution and electric shock.
Inspectors are checking:
• builders and their contractors are
complying with the Industry Standard –
Electrical installation on construction
sites and the No Go Zone rules for
overhead and underground electrical
assets
• Safe Work Method Statements
(SWMS), particularly for work on
or near the energised electrical
installations or services
• Registered Electrical Contractors
(RECs) have procedures in place
to ensure electricians do not work
on an energised installation and that
apprentice electricians are suitably
supervised.
Why?
Historically, electrocution is a leading
cause of death for construction workers,
including electricians. WorkSafe is
notified of one or more electric shock
incidents every day.
In 2016, two apprentice electricians
sustained fatal injuries after being
electrocuted in separate incidents.
Frequent electrical
safety issues
Inspectors routinely take enforcement
action in relation to the following issues,
including but not limited to:
• portable electrical equipment not
being inspected and maintained
(tested and tagged)
• residual current devices (RCD) not
being inspected and tested at the
required intervals
• breaching the No Go Zone for
overhead powerlines
• live permanent wiring onsite not
being identified
• electrical equipment or wiring not
being de-energised when working
on or near it
• SWMS missing, inadequate or not
followed when undertaking work
on or near energised electrical
installation or services.
Controlling electricity risks
Work on or near an energised electrical
installation or service is high risk
construction work (HRCW) and must
not start until a SWMS is prepared.
A SWMS must:
• identify work that is HRCW
• state the hazards and risks to health
or safety
• sufficiently describe measures to
control the risks
• describe how the risk control
measures will be implemented
• be expressed in a manner which is
accessible and comprehensible to
the persons who use it.
If a SWMS is not being followed, an
employer (including a self-employed
person) must stop work immediately
or as soon as it is safe to do so.
RECs should identify procedures
and controls in the SWMS for:
• de-energisation and re-energisation
• ensuring de-energisation is
maintained for the work duration
• safely performing verification tests
and tests for live.
Risk control measures
The risks of electric shock or explosion
must be eliminated. If that is not
reasonably practicable, the risks must
be reduced by using the highest level
of risk controls, so far as reasonably
practicable.
See table for examples. A combination
of controls is usually required.
Hierarchy of control for
construction work
Level 1 Eliminate any risk
(eg de-energise all or that part of the
installation being worked on and lock
and tag out the isolation devices).
Level 2 Reduce the risk by
implementing one or a combination
of the following:
• substitute the hazard with a new
activity, procedure, process or plant
that is of lesser risk (eg use a
non-conductive draw wire instead
of metal wire).
• isolate persons from the hazard
(eg install temporary insulated
barriers around live parts)
• use engineering controls
(eg retractable tip test probes
and high impedance testers).
Level 3 Reduce the risk using
administrative controls
(eg electrical testing procedures,
safety observers, warning signage,
direct apprentice supervision).
Level 4 Control the risk by providing
appropriate personal protective
equipment (eg electrically rated
gloves, eye protection, face shield, full
coverage arc flash resistant clothes).
Review and revise risk control
measures:
• before changing the way work
is performed or if new/additional
hazard information becomes
available
• if the risks are not adequately
controlled, or
• after receiving a request from a
health and safety representative.
Further information
Visit worksafe.vic.gov.au for more
information on preventing electric
shocks, SWMS and No Go Zones.
Contact WorkSafe’s Advisory Service
on 1800 136 089.
Visit the Energy Safe Victoria (ESV)
website esv.vic.gov.au for requirements
on effective apprentice supervision.
Note: This guidance material has been prepared using the best information available to WorkSafe, and should be used for general use only. Any information about legislative obligations or
responsibilities included in this material is only applicable