JAG 09/3198

Electrical Safety Ofce Queensland

Telephone 1300 650 662
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Electrical Safety Code Of Practice 2010
Risk Management
Department of Justice And Attorney-General
Electrical Safety Ofce Queensland
1
Contents
Part 1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Application and scope of Code ................................................................................. 4
1.2 Legislative framework ............................................................................................... 4
1.3 What is a code of practice? ....................................................................................... 5
1.4 What is this Code about? .......................................................................................... 5
1.5 Electrical safety obligations ...................................................................................... 6
1.6 Obligations of a person who conducts a business or undertaking
(employer or self-employed person) ......................................................................... 6
1.7 How can I meet my obligations? ............................................................................... 7
Part 2 : Overview of Requirements .......................................................................... 9
2.1 Legislative basis for
the risk management process ................................................................................... 9
2.2 What is risk management? ........................................................................................ 9
2.2.1 Why use this Code? ......................................................................................................... 10
2.3 Defining the context ................................................................................................ 11
2.4 Risk management: The 5 step process ....................................................................12
2.4.1 Who should conduct the risk management process? ..................................................... 14
2.4.2 Types of risk assessments ............................................................................................. 14
2.4.3 When to use the process ............................................................................................... 15
2.5 Consultation ............................................................................................................17
2.5.1 Who should be involved in consultation? ...................................................................... 18
2.5.2 Benefits of consultation ................................................................................................. 19
2.6 Record keeping ........................................................................................................19
Part 3 : Electrical Risk Identification...................................................................... 21
3.1 Step 1: Identify risks ................................................................................................21
3.1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 21
3.1.2 What is electrical risk? ................................................................................................... 21
3.1.3 How to identify electrical risks ....................................................................................... 21
3.1.4 Categorising electrical risks .......................................................................................... 22
3.1.5 What if . . . ? ................................................................................................................. 22
3.2 How to look for and identify electrical risks ............................................................ 23
3.2.1 Visual inspection and observation ................................................................................ 23
3.2.2 Structured approach ..................................................................................................... 23
3.2.3 Some other points to keep in mind .............................................................................. 25
2
3.3 What to look for - examples of electrical risks ....................................................... 25
3.3.1 Workplace safety culture .............................................................................................. 26
3.4 When electrical risks are identified ......................................................................... 26
3.5 Applied case study: Risk identification ................................................................... 27
Part 4 : Risk Assessment except for Licensed Electrical Workers
Undertaking Live Electrical Work .............................................................. 29
4.1 Step 2: Assess the risks .......................................................................................... 29
4.1.1 What is risk? ................................................................................................................. 29
4.2 Why assess the risks? ............................................................................................. 29
4.3 How to assess risks ................................................................................................ 30
4.3.1 Likelihood and consequences ...................................................................................... 30
4.3.2 Estimating likelihood and consequences ...................................................................... 30
4.3.3 Risk rating .................................................................................................................... 34
4.4 Applied case study Risk assessment.................................................................... 36
Part 5: Risk Management for Licensed Electrical Workers Undertaking Live
Electrical Work .......................................................................................... 38
5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 38
5.2 Risk matrix for live work ......................................................................................... 42
5.3 Summary ................................................................................................................ 48
Part 6 : Treat, Implement, Monitor and Review ..................................................... 49
6.1 Step 3: Decide on risk treatment measures ............................................................ 49
6.1.1 The risk treatment hierarchy ......................................................................................... 49
6.1.2 Consultation ................................................................................................................. 50
6.1.3 Selecting the most appropriate risk treatment measures ............................................. 50
6.2 Eliminate the risk .....................................................................................................51
6.2.1 Safe design .................................................................................................................... 51
6.2.2 Policies and procedures................................................................................................. 51
6.3 Prevent or minimise exposure to the risk................................................................ 52
6.3.1 When exposure to the risk cannot be minimised by other means ................................ 53
6.4 Step 4: Implement risk treatment measures ........................................................... 54
6.4.1 Implementation plans ................................................................................................... 54
6.4.2 Additional steps for implementation ............................................................................ 55
6.5 Step 5: Monitor and review .................................................................................... 57
6.5.1 Monitoring the effectiveness of risk treatment measures ..................................... 57
6.5.2 Reviewing the risk management process ...................................................................... 58
6.6 Applied case study Treat, monitor and review ..................................................... 58
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Appendix A: Forms for record keeping ................................................................... 61
Form 1: Electrical risk identification ................................................................................61
Form 2: Risk assessment and treatment ........................................................................ 62
Form 3: Risk identification ............................................................................................. 63
Form 4: Risk assessment ............................................................................................... 64
Form 5: Risk treatment measures .................................................................................. 65
Form 6: Risk treatment implementation plan ................................................................. 66
Form 7: Review of risk treatment measures ................................................................... 67
Form 8: Electrical risk register........................................................................................ 68
Appendix B: Glossary of terms used in this Code .................................................. 69
Appendix C: List of Electrical Safety Codes of Practice .......................................... 74
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Part 1. Introduction
1.1 Application and scope of Code
- This Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 Risk Management (llc Codc}
was madc on 18 Pcccmbci 2000.
- 1lis Codc fiisl commcnccd on 1 1anuaiy 2010.
- 1lis Codc cxpiics 10 ycais aflci il fiisl commcnccd.
1.2 Legislative framework
1lc uccnsland Electrical Safety Act 2002 (llc Acl} is diicclcd al climinaling
llc luman cosl lo individuals, familics and llc communily of dcall, injuiy
and dcsliuclion llal can bc causcd by clccliicily nol only in woikplaccs bul
lliougloul llc communily.
1lc Acl scls oul llc obligalions llal cmploycis, cmployccs, woikcis, dcsigncis,
manufacluicis, impoilcis and pcisons in conliol of clccliical cquipmcnl musl
mccl in oidci lo comply will llc icquiicmcnls of llc law. 1lc fundamcnlal
piinciplc of llc lcgislalion is lo scl lcgal icquiicmcnls lo cnsuic llc clccliical
safcly of liccnscd clccliical woikcis, ollci woikcis, liccnscd clccliical conliaclois,
consumcis and llc gcncial public.
1lc Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (llc WES Acl} placcs obligalions
on ccilain pcisons lo cnsuic woikplacc lcalll and safcly. Woikplacc lcalll and
safcly is cnsuicd wlcn pcisons aic ficc fiom dcall, injuiy oi illncss and llc iisk
of dcall, injuiy oi illncss cicalcd by woikplaccs, iclcvanl woikplacc aicas, woik
aclivilics oi planl oi subslanccs foi usc al a woikplacc.
Wlcic llc WES Acl and llc Acl apply, llc icquiicmcnls of llc Acl lakc
picccdcncc.
1lc puiposc of llc Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 (llc Rcgulalion} is lo.
- cnsuic llc clccliical safcly of liccnscd woikcis, ollci woikcis and liccnscd
clccliical conliaclois,
- cnlancc consumci piolcclion in iclalions lo clccliical woik, and
- cnsuic clccliical cquipmcnl liicd oi sold is clccliically safc.
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1lc Rcgulalion picsciibcs icquiicmcnls foi llc pcifoimancc of livc woik and
codcs of piaclicc givc piaclical advicc on ways lo managc llc obligalions scl
down in llc Acl and lo mccl llc icquiicmcnls of llc Rcgulalion.
Rcfcicnccs lo lcgislalion, Auslialian Slandaids and ollci documcnls in llis Codc
aic cuiicnl al llc limc of piinling. Fiom limc lo limc amcndmcnls aic madc lo
lcgislalion. 1lc usci slould llcicfoic clcck lo cnsuic applicablc lcgislalion is
cuiicnl al llc limc of icading.
Note: 1lcic may bc addilional non-clccliical iisks in llc woikplacc, wlicl lavc
nol bccn spccifically addicsscd in llis Codc. 1lcsc iisks slould bc asscsscd lo
cnsuic llal iisk licalmcnl mcasuics aic implcmcnlcd and icvicwcd lo picvcnl oi
minimisc cxposuic lo llcsc iisks. Plcasc icfci lo llc iclcvanl Workplace Health
and Safety Queensland Codes of Practice.
1.3 What is a code of practice?
A codc of piaclicc is a documcnl madc undci scclion 44 of llc Acl. ll givcs
piaclical advicc on ways lo disclaigc clccliical safcly obligalions. lncludcd in a
codc aic ways lo idcnlify and managc cxposuic lo iisks of injuiy and piopcily
damagc causcd, diicclly oi indiicclly, by clccliicily.
Undci scclion 4 of llc Acl, a codc of piaclicc docs nol slalc all llal a pcison
musl do, oi musl nol do, lo disclaigc llcii clccliical safcly obligalion. Eowcvci,
llc pcison fails lo disclaigc llc clccliical safcly obligalion if llcy.
(a} conliavcnc, oi ollciwisc acl inconsislcnlly will, llc codc of piaclicc, and
(b} do nol follow a way llal is as cffcclivc as, oi moic cffcclivc llan, llc codc of
piaclicc foi disclaiging llc clccliical safcly obligalion.
1.4 What is this Code about?
1lis Codc iccommcnds piaclical mcllods foi managing clccliical iisks and dcfincs
and cxplains llc fivc slcp iisk managcmcnl pioccss lo pcifoim lo makc suic all
clccliical iisks aic minimiscd. 1lis Codc covcis llc fivc slcp iisk managcmcnl
pioccss foi clccliical woik pcifoimcd by liccnscd clccliical woikcis, illuslialcd in
Figuic 1. ll dcsciibcs.
- idcnlifying clccliical iisks picscnl foi clccliical woik,
- asscssing oi cvalualing iisks foi clccliical woik,
- dcciding on iisk licalmcnl mcasuics, and
- implcmcnling and moniloiing iisk licalmcnl mcasuics.
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ln piaclicc, a documcnlcd iisk asscssmcnl could foim pail of a woik mcllod
slalcmcnl foi clccliical woik. Appcndix A conlains foims llal can bc uscd lo
iccoid llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss dclailcd lcic.
Scclion 11 of llc Rcgulalion slalcs llal, subjccl lo llc ciicumslanccs dcsciibcd in
scclion 12, livc woik musl nol bc pcifoimcd, and llal cacl cxposcd pail is lo bc
licalcd as if il wcic cncigiscd unlil il is isolalcd and piovcn lo nol bc cncigiscd.
1o woik dc-cncigiscd, you musl fiisl lcsl lo asccilain wlcllci llc clccliical pail is
dc-cncigiscd oi nol.
Part 5 of this Code relates to risk management specifically for licensed electrical
workers undertaking live electrical work, and also describes and illustrates the
risk / consequence matrix to be used by licensed electrical workers performing
live electrical work.
Appiovcd ligl vollagc livc linc woik, undci a ligl vollagc livc linc woik
managcmcnl plan as picsciibcd undci scclion 12 of llc Rcgulalion, is nol covcicd
by llis Codc. Eowcvci, ligl vollagc livc linc woikcis aic subjccl lo llis Codc foi
clccliical woik aclivilics wlilc nol pcifoiming ligl vollagc livc linc woik.
1.5 Electrical safety obligations
Scclions 20 lo 40 of llc Acl placc obligalions on ccilain pcisons lo cnsuic
clccliical safcly. Flccliical safcly is cnsuicd wlcn a pcison oi piopcily is ficc
fiom clccliical iisk. 1lis mcans llal llc clccliical iisk
1
lo llc pcison oi piopcily
is as low as icasonably aclicvablc, laving icgaid lo likclilood of laim and likcly
scvciily of laim. Fnsuiing clccliical safcly involvcs idcnlifying and managing
cxposuic lo iisks al llc woikplacc oi clccliical cquipmcnl al llc woikplacc.
1.6 Obligations of a person who conducts a business
or undertaking (employer or self-employed
person)
1lc Acl placcs obligalions on a pcison wlo conducls a busincss oi undcilaking.
1lc obligalions apply wlcllci oi nol llc pcison.
- conducls llc busincss oi undcilaking as an cmployci, sclf-cmploycd pcison oi
ollciwisc, oi
- woiks on a volunlaiy basis.
1
'Flccliical iisk` mcans llc iisk lo a pcison of dcall, slock oi injuiy causcd diicclly by clccliicily oi oiiginaling
fiom clccliicily. ll also includcs llc iisk lo piopcily of damagc causcd by a callodic piolcclion syslcm oi loss oi
damagc causcd diicclly by clccliicily oi oiiginaling fiom clccliicily.
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A pcison wlo conducls a busincss oi undcilaking las a gcncial obligalion lo
cnsuic llc busincss oi undcilaking is conduclcd in a way llal is clccliically safc.
Addilional spccific safcly obligalions apply lo.
- clccliicily cnlilics,
- cmploycis oi sclf-cmploycd pcisons,
- manufacluicis, impoilcis and supplicis of clccliical cquipmcnl,
- dcsigncis, inslallcis and icpaiicis of clccliical cquipmcnl and clccliical
inslallalions,
- pcisons in conliol of clccliical cquipmcnl, and
- woikcis and ollci pcisons al a placc wlcic clccliical cquipmcnl is localcd.
Wlcic llis Codc piovidcs advicc lo cmploycis and sclf-cmploycd pcisons on
managing cxposuic lo clccliical iisks, ollci pcisons wlo conducl a busincss
oi undcilaking may also find llis advicc applicablc, dcpcnding on llcii
ciicumslanccs.
1.7 How can I meet my obligations?
1lcic aic llicc lypcs of lcgislalivc insliumcnls piovidcd foi in llc Acl llal assisl
lo mccl clccliical safcly obligalions. icgulalions, minislciial noliccs and codcs
of piaclicc. lf llcic is a icgulalion oi minislciial nolicc llal picsciibcs a way of
picvcnling oi minimising cxposuic lo a iisk, oi piolibils cxposuic lo a iisk, a
pcison musl follow llc picsciibcd way.
lf llcic is a codc of piaclicc slaling a way of managing cxposuic lo a iisk.
(a} llc slalcd way musl bc adoplcd and followcd lo managc llc cxposuic lo llc
iisk, oi
(b} a pcison musl adopl and follow anollci way, llal givcs llc samc lcvcl of
piolcclion againsl llc iisk, and lakc icasonablc piccaulions and cxcicisc
piopci diligcncc.
lf llcic is no icgulalion, minislciial nolicc oi codc of piaclicc aboul a iisk, a
pcison disclaigcs llc pcison`s clccliical safcly obligalion foi cxposuic lo llc iisk
by doing boll of llc following.
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(a} adopling and following any way lo disclaigc llc pcison`s clccliical safcly
obligalion foi cxposuic lo llc iisk, and
(b} laking icasonablc piccaulions, and cxcicising piopci diligcncc, lo cnsuic llc
obligalion is disclaigcd.
1lis Codc slould bc icad in conjunclion will llc Acl, llc Rcgulalion, and ollci
iclcvanl codcs of piaclicc. Eaid copics of llcsc documcnls aic availablc fiom llc
uccnsland Covcinmcnl Bookslop by ploning (07} 2882 8700 oi 1800 801 122
(oulsidc Biisbanc}, oi by visiling [Link].
Fuillci infoimalion on clccliical safcly is availablc fiom llc Pcpailmcnl of
1uslicc and Alloincy-Ccncial wcbsilc al [Link] oi by
ploning llc lnfolinc on 1200 60 662.
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Part 2 : Overview of Requirements
2.1 Legislative basis for the risk management process
1lc puiposc of llc Acl is lo cslablisl a lcgislalivc fiamcwoik foi picvcnling.
- pcisons bcing killcd oi injuicd by clccliicily, and
- piopcily bcing dcslioycd oi damagcd by clccliicily.
2.2 What is risk management?
'Risk managcmcnl` is dcfincd by llc Auslialian | Ncw Zcaland Slandaid AS/NZS
ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management as 'llc cooidinaling of aclivilics lo diiccl and
conliol an oiganisalion will icgaid lo iisk`.
1lc lcim 'lazaid` is oflcn uscd as an idcnlifici of polcnlial souiccs of iisk.
Eowcvci in llc piaclical applicalion of iisk managcmcnl piinciplcs, il is llc iisk
ilsclf llal musl bc addicsscd. 1lc AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management
Standard (llc Slandaid} icfcis lo llc idcnlificalion of iisk, wlilc llc lcim lazaid
is uscd in Woikplacc Ecalll and Safcly and Flccliical Safcly lcgislalion in llc
samc conlcxl. Similaily, `iisk conliol` is icfciicd lo in llc Slandaid as 'iisk
licalmcnl`. 1lcsc dislinclions aic dcfinilional only and llc lcims 'iisk` and
`licalmcnl` aic uscd in llis codc foi llc puiposcs of claiily and consislcncy will
llc Slandaid.
1lc iisk managcmcnl pioccss icquiicd by llc WES Acl is syslcmalically dividcd
inlo fivc slcps.
1. idcnlify lazaids (iisks undci llc Slandaid}, bascd on cxpciicncc, iccoidcd
dala and ollci infoimalion,
2. asscss iisks llal may icsull by making an cvalualion of llc lcvcl of iisks lo llc
lcalll and safcly of woikcis, bascd on llc conscqucnccs and likclilood of laim,
2. dccidc on conliol mcasuics (iisk licalmcnl mcasuics undci llc Slandaid} fiom
llc liciaicly of conliol (iisk licalmcnl liciaicly} i.c. climinalc, subslilulc,
isolalc oi cngincci oul llc iisks, oi icducc llcm lliougl adminislialivc
mcasuics oi pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl lo picvcnl oi minimisc llc lcvcl
of llc iisks. 1lis slould bc aclicvcd by sclccling llc liglcsl oidci conliol
(licalmcnl} mcllod possiblc and llcn piocccding down llc lisl in oidci,
4. implcmcnl llc sclcclcd conliol (licalmcnl} mcasuic(s} in llc woikplacc, and
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. moniloi and icvicw llc cffcclivcncss of llc conliol (licalmcnl} mcasuics lo
cnsuic llal llcy aic woiking coiicclly lo conliol llc iisks and llal no ollci
iisks lavc bccn inlioduccd.
N01F. Compliancc will llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss docs nol cxcusc a pcison
fiom cnsuiing woikplacc lcalll and safcly oi fiom complying will an obligalion
undci llc Acl.
Fffcclivc iisk managcmcnl involvcs idcnlifying all of llc iisks in llc woikplacc,
and llcn caiiying oul a iisk asscssmcnl foi cacl, lo asscss ils scvciily, bcfoic
dcciding ils piioiily foi licalmcnl. Wlcn caiiying oul a iisk asscssmcnl, dclciminc
llc iisks llal lavc llc gicalcsl polcnlial lo causc laim and a gicalci likclilood of
occuiiing. 1lcsc iisks aic licalcd fiisl, followcd by llc lcss sciious iisks.
Allcnlion slould bc givcn lo iisks llal may bc casy lo fix bul may lavc low
iisk piioiily scoics (c.g. powci lcads acioss llc flooi}. 1lcsc iisks slould bc fixcd
piomplly. Pailiculai allcnlion slould bc givcn lo iisks llal may lavc vciy low
likclilood of causing laim bul may icsull in majoi conscqucnccs.
2.2.1 Why use this Code?
1lis Codc piovidcs advicc on llc gcncial pioccss of iisk managcmcnl foi usc in
all indusliics wlcic llcic may bc clccliical iisks. 1lc pioccduial slcps lo managc
iisks aic.
1. Regulation or ministerial notice
lf llcic is a icgulalion oi minislciial nolicc llal picsciibcs ways of conliolling
clccliical iisks, llc icgulalion oi minislciial nolicc musl bc followcd.
2. Code of practice
lf llcic is no icgulalion bul llcic is a codc of piaclicc madc aboul an clccliical
iisk, llcn cillci llc codc musl bc followcd oi anollci way llal givcs llc samc
oi bcllci lcvcl of piolcclion againsl llc iisk musl bc adoplcd and followcd wlilsl
laking icasonablc piccaulions and cxcicising piopci diligcncc.
3. Guidance material
lf llcic is no icgulalion, minislciial nolicc oi codc of piaclicc madc aboul
an clccliical iisk, guidancc malciial can bc uscd as a icsouicc in llc iisk
managcmcnl pioccss.
4. Unspecified
Foi idcnlificd iisks llal do nol fall inlo any of llc abovc calcgoiics, llc iisks
slould bc asscsscd using llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss. Moic dclails on llc iisk
managcmcnl pioccss aic givcn in ollci pails of llc Codc.
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2.3 Defining the context
ll is impoilanl lo considci llc conlcxl in wlicl llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss
lakcs placc bcfoic llc fivc slcps aic undcilakcn. Pcfining llc conlcxl includcs
looking al all aspccls of llc aclivily bcing asscsscd. Aic llcic inlciaclions will
ollci iisks? 0nc of llc majoi difficullics in conducling cffcclivc iisk managcmcnl
occuis wlcn aclivilics associalcd will llc clccliical iisk aic nol clcaily dcfincd.
Facl aclivily can lavc many iisks and many polcnlial iisk cvcnls.
Pcfining llc conlcxl involvcs idcnlifying.
- woik pioccsscs, piacliccs, aclivilics and lasks llal will bc analyscd in llc
clccliical iisk managcmcnl pioccss and llc slcps involvcd,
- llc pcoplc involvcd in caiiying oul llosc woik pioccsscs and in wlal
capacily,
- wlcllci llc pcoplc involvcd aic sufficicnlly compclcnl|skillcd|cxpciicnccd,
and
- wlal ilcms of clccliical oi opcialing planl aic uscd.
1o dcfinc llc conlcxl il is csscnlial lo cnsuic cxlcnsivc consullalion, wlicl
includcs all woikcis doing llc lasks, cmploycis, safcly officcis and cxpcils
icgaiding clccliical iisks lo bc idcnlificd.
Consultation is the foundation of good risk management.
You have to do it, not just talk about it.
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2.4 Risk management: The 5 step process
1lc fivc basic slcps in llc woikplacc lcalll and safcly iisk managcmcnl pioccss
scl oul bclow slould bc followcd lo managc cxposuic lo clccliical iisks. 1lc slcps
aic illuslialcd bclow in Figuic 1.
Step 1
Identify risks
Step 2
Assess and prioritise
risks
Step 3
Decide on risk treatment
measures including risk
treatment hierarchy
Step 4
Implement risk
treatment measures
Step 5
Monitor and review
Consultation
should be carried
out at each step of
this process
Preparation:
0eflne the context.
ldentlfy tasks, actlvltles, work processes
and practices for assessment
Figure 1: The five step risk management process
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The five step risk management process is preceded by:
Preparation
- dcfinc llc conlcxl (scc Pail 2.2 of llis Codc}, and
- idcnlify aclivily|lask|woik aica|pcisonncl lo bc asscsscd.
then:
Step 1: Identify all risks:
- obscivc, inspccl, invcsligalc, communicalc and consull, and
- makc a iccoid of llc iisks idcnlificd.
Step 2: Assess the risks these risks create:
- asscss and piioiilisc llc iisks,
- dcal will llc liglcsl piioiily iisks fiisl, and
- dcal will lcssci iisks oi lcasl significanl iisks lasl.
Step 3: Decide on measures to treat the risks:
- climinalc llc iisk,
- if climinalion of llc iisk is nol possiblc, sclccl llcsc licalmcnl mcasuics
in llc following oidci of picfcicncc.
(i} subslilulion,
(ii} isolalion (nol adminislialivc},
(iii} minimisalion by cngincciing mcans,
(iv} applicalion of adminislialivc mcasuics, and
(v} usc of pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl (PPF}.
Step 4: Implement appropriate risk treatment measures to:
- adcqualcly lical llc iisks,
- nol cicalc ollci iisks, and
- allow woikcis lo do llcii woik willoul unduc discomfoil oi dislicss.
Step 5: Monitor the risk treatment measures and review the process:
A: Monitor
- Eavc llc licalmcnl mcasuics bccn implcmcnlcd as inlcndcd?
- Aic llc licalmcnl mcasuics adcqualc?
- Pid llc implcmcnlalion of licalmcnl mcasuics cicalc ollci iisks?
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B: Review
- Eas anylling clangcd ovci limc sincc llc iisk pioccss was implcmcnlcd?
- ls llc licalmcnl of iisks slill adcqualc?
- Was llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss conduclcd cffcclivcly?
1lcsc fivc slcps can bc applicd in all lypcs of woikplaccs. ln somc cascs il may
bc moic cffcclivc lo pcifoim moic llan onc slcp al a limc. 1lc way llc iisk
managcmcnl pioccss is implcmcnlcd can dcpcnd on llc lypc of busincss aclivily
and lasks involvcd al llc woikplacc. Foi cxamplc, a small busincss may dcal will
ils iisks diffcicnlly lo a vciy laigc busincss.
2.4.1 Who should conduct the risk management process?
ll is impoilanl foi llc pcison conducling llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss lo icmain
as objcclivc and piaclical as possiblc.
1lc pcison conducling llc pioccss slould.
- considci wlal aclually lappcns in llc woikplacc,
- icvicw cxisling asscssmcnls and any picvious incidcnls,
- dclciminc wlcllci any cxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics aic adcqualc and
makc suic all iclcvanl iisks aic addicsscd,
- consull will llc woikcis wlo aic involvcd, as llc woikcis aic llc oncs
cxposcd lo llc iisks and aic in a bcllci posilion lo bc ablc lo idcnlify all llc
iisks,
- infoim managcmcnl (if llc pcison is nol managcmcnl} wlo llcn dccidcs on
llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics in consullalion will llc woikcis, and
- moniloi and icvicw llc cffcclivcncss of llc implcmcnlcd licalmcnl mcasuics
and llc cnliic iisk managcmcnl pioccss.
The risk management process is the key to systematically managing safety in
the workplace.
1lc iisk managcmcnl pioccss cnablcs llc obligalion loldci lo slow llal all llc
iclcvanl faclois lavc bccn considcicd and llc slcps nccdcd lo lical llc iisks lavc
bccn lakcn. Accoidingly, il is impoilanl lo documcnl cacl slcp of llc pioccss lo
slow you lavc complicd will llc obligalion.
2.4.2 Types of risk assessments
Risk asscssmcnls can bc classificd inlo llicc calcgoiics, lowcvci llc fiisl lwo
lypcs of iisk asscssmcnl aic appiopiialc foi mosl woikplaccs.
15
1. Strategic risk assessment is conduclcd al llc woik planning slagc and
pciiodically.
2. Operational risk assessment is conduclcd immcdialcly bcfoic llc woik slails.
2. Specific requirements. iisk asscssmcnls of cicdiblc cmcigcncics including fiisl
aid.
Slialcgic iisk asscssmcnls aic planncd and syslcmalic. 1lc asscssmcnls aic caiiicd
oul lliougloul llc woik pioccss, aic compiclcnsivc, and documcnl llc pioccsscs
of inlciaclion and conliol.
0pcialional asscssmcnls aic simplificd pioccsscs lo clcck llal iisks and licalmcnl
mcasuics aic as cxpcclcd. Sucl asscssmcnls also assisl in lask induclion. A
clccklisl can bc uscd foi llis puiposc. 1lis slylc of iisk asscssmcnl is impoilanl as
many iisks can bc idcnlificd wlcic llcy may lavc bccn misscd in a slialcgic iisk
asscssmcnl.
Spccific asscssmcnls may involvc a icvicw of cicdiblc cmcigcncy cvcnls. 1lcsc
can also bc undcilakcn using llc fivc slcp iisk managcmcnl pioccss. Foi cxamplc,
duiing Slcp 2, llc iisk cvcnl is llc cicdiblc cmcigcncy llal could occui.
2.4.3 When to use the process
Flccliical safcly iisk managcmcnl is an ongoing pioccss and musl bc undcilakcn
al vaiious limcs including.
- N0W, if il las nol bccn donc bcfoic,
- wlcn planning oi making a clangc,
- aflci an incidcnl (and|oi a ncai miss},
- al icgulai oi sclcdulcd inlcivals appiopiialc lo llc naluic of llc woikplacc
and llc iisks picscnl,
- wlcn lcgislalivc obligalions clangc (including icgulalions}, and
- bcfoic woik slails.
Now
lf llc pioccss las nol bccn donc bcfoic lo makc suic clccliical safcly is managcd
al llc woikplacc, do so now.
Whenever planning or making a change
Risk managcmcnl is moic cffcclivc wlcn undcilakcn duiing llc planning
plasc (i.c. bcfoic woik slails oi al llc dcsign, dcvclopmcnl oi lcndciing slagc}.
16
Wlcncvci woikplacc clangcs aic madc lo woikcis, woik piacliccs oi llc
cnviionmcnl, including lools and cquipmcnl, llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss slould
bc applicd lo managc any ncw iisks.
Any clangcs madc lo cquipmcnl, woik piacliccs and ollci faclois llal can
influcncc iisks, slould bc discusscd will llc woikcis affcclcd by llc clangcs
bcfoic llcy aic madc, in oidci lo incoipoialc as mucl infoimalion in llc
dccision-making pioccss as possiblc.
Somc cxamplcs of planncd oi aclual clangcs llal may occui al woikplaccs al
vaiious limcs aic.
- slailing a ncw piojccl,
- clangcs in woik pioccduics and|oi piacliccs,
- clangcs lo llc woiksilc duiing consliuclion plascs,
- clangcs in woik sclcdulcs (c.g. inlioducing cxlcndcd woik louis oi slifl
woik},
- clangcs in low malciials and subslanccs aic uscd, wlo uscs llcm and low
mucl is uscd,
- clangcs in llc usc oi localion of lools, cquipmcnl oi maclinciy,
- discovciy of ncw infoimalion aboul a picviously unknown dcsign oi
manufacluiing faull, oi aboul a picviously unidcnlificd iisk,
- inlioducing ncw woikcis will diffcicnl skill lcvcls oi woikcis icluining aflci
pciiods away fiom llc lask,
- clangcs in a conliol mcasuic aflci icvicwing llc cffcclivcncss, and
- plans lo dcsign a ncw facilily oi picmiscs including llc layoul of llc woik
aica and fil-oul.
After an incident
lf an incidcnl (oi a ncai miss} occuis, llc clccliical safcly iisk managcmcnl
pioccss musl bc icvicwcd lo dclciminc wlcllci clangcs lo llc pailiculai lask
aic nccdcd and if allcinalivc oi addilional conliols nccd lo bc inlioduccd. Any
clangcs slould bc discusscd will all woikcis pcifoiming llc lask.
At regular or scheduled intervals
1lc iisk managcmcnl pioccss slould bc icpcalcd icgulaily oi al sclcdulcd
17
inlcivals appiopiialc lo llc woikplacc
2
. 1lc pciiod bclwccn icpcaling llc pioccss
will dcpcnd on llc naluic of llc iisks and llc dcgicc of clangc likcly in llc woik
aclivily. Ccncially, llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss slould bc undcilakcn moic oflcn
if llcic is.
- a ligl lcvcl of iisk involvcd will llc woik aclivily,
- a liglci likclilood llal an incidcnl oi injuiy will occui, and
- llc polcnlial foi moic sciious conscqucnccs sucl as dcall oi pcimancnl
disabilily fiom an incidcnl.
Boll icgulai and sclcdulcd inlcivals slould bc clcaily idcnlificd, dcfincd and
appiovcd by managcmcnl. 1lcy slould bc iccoidcd in a sclcdulc oi icgislci llal
is icgulaily icvicwcd and moniloicd. 1lis icgislci slould dcfinc icsouiccs (limc|
moncy} and icsponsibililics lo cnsuic llc pioccss occuis. A samplc icgislci can bc
vicwcd in Pail 4 of llis Codc.
When legislative obligations change
Wlcn clangcs aic madc lo woikplacc lcalll and safcly, clccliical safcly, oi any
ollci lcgislalion llal migll affccl llc woik opcialions oi cnviionmcnl, all cxisling
iisks slould bc icvicwcd.
Before work starts
Clccks lo idcnlify faulls, misplaccd ilcms oi ollci iisks lo slaff slould bc donc
bcfoic any woik aclivily slails. Clccklisls can bc uscd lo asscss llc iisks.
2.5 Consultation
Consullalion foslcis coopcialion and dcvclops pailncislips bclwccn govcinmcnl,
cmploycis and woikcis lo cnsuic woikplacc lcalll and safcly and clccliical safcly.
Consullalion mcans lo infoim and lo scck advicc oi infoimalion fiom llc pcoplc
involvcd will llc woikplacc, woik and indusliy.
Consullalion slould lakc placc al cvciy slagc of llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss
including wlcn.
- ncw woik pioccsscs, cquipmcnl oi lools aic bcing dcsigncd, puiclascd oi
modificd (consull caily lo allow clangcs lo bc incoipoialcd},
- idcnlifying pioblcm jobs wlicl icquiic asscssmcnl,
- cslablisling piioiilics foi llc asscssmcnl of pioblcm jobs and duiing llc iisk
asscssmcnl pioccss,
2
Undci llc Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 scclion 06(7}(b}, a woikplacc will a Woikplacc Ecalll and
Safcly 0fficci (WES0} is icquiicd lo asscss lazaids and iisks al lcasl oncc cvciy 12 monlls.
18
- dcciding on iisk licalmcnl mcasuics lo managc cxposuic lo clccliical iisk
faclois,
- icvicwing llc cffcclivcncss of implcmcnlcd licalmcnl mcasuics and
idcnlifying wlcllci fuillci iisks of injuiy lavc bccn cicalcd by llc closcn
mcasuics, and
- dcciding llc conlcnls of pioccduial documcnls, as cxpciicnccd woikcis can
lclp makc suic llcy aic as iclcvanl as possiblc lo llc aclual woik silualion.
2.5.1 Who should be involved in consultation?
1lc WES Acl piovidcs foi foimal consullalion lliougl woikplacc lcalll and
safcly icpicscnlalivcs (WESRs}, woikplacc lcalll and safcly officcis (WES0s}, and
woikplacc lcalll and safcly (WES} commillccs wlcic llcsc aic icquiicd oi aic
aclivc in llc woikplacc.
1lc WES Acl.
- piovidcs foi llc clcclion by woikcis of onc WESR, wlo musl bc a woikci,
- piovidcs foi llc clcclion by woikcis of moic llan onc WESR (wlo musl bc
woikcis}, will agiccmcnl bclwccn llc cmployci and woikcis, wlcic cacl
WESR llcn icpicscnls a pailiculai pail of llc woikplacc, and
- covcis llc cslablislmcnl, composilion and piocccdings of WES commillccs.
Foi dclails on llc lcgislalivc icquiicmcnls foi foimal consullalion, icfci lo llc
Pcpailmcnl of 1uslicc and Alloincy-Ccncial wcbsilc al [Link].
A compiclcnsivc consullalion pioccss will also lclp lo aclicvc bcllci clccliical
safcly oulcomcs lliougl llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss. 1lc consullalivc gioup
could includc.
- clccliical woikcis,
- supcivisois,
- WESRs,
- WES0s,
- WES commillccs,
- clccliical conliaclois,
- clccliical supplicis,
- addilional cxlcinal bodics sucl as ollci oiganisalions using similai pioccsscs
oi aclivilics, and
- spccialisl gioups sucl as clccliical cnginccis.
19
2.5.2 Benefits of consultation
Consullalion bclwccn managcmcnl and woikcis is bcncficial lliougloul llc iisk
managcmcnl pioccss bccausc il.
- biings logcllci diffcicnl aicas of cxpcilisc lo idcnlify and analysc iisks and
allows llosc will day lo day cxpciicncc of llc iisks lo piovidc valuablc inpul,
- allows woikcis lo lavc owncislip of llc iisks and llc solulions,
- incicascs llc likclilood llal woikcis will bc commillcd lo implcmcnling llc
iisk licalmcnl mcasuics bccausc llcy undcisland wly llcy aic bcing imposcd,
- incicascs woikcis` moialc, salisfaclion and iclcnlion ialcs, as slaff fccl llcy
aic bcing lislcncd lo and involvcd,
- impiovcs liusl, communicalion and lcamwoik,
- impiovcs pioduclivily as a icsull of bcllci dccision-making pioccsscs, and
- conliibulcs lo dcvcloping a posilivc clccliical safcly culluic in llc woikplacc,
by incicasing lcam commilmcnl lo clccliical safcly.
2.6 Record keeping
Kccping good iccoids of llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss dcmonslialcs polcnlial
compliancc will llc Acl will icspccl lo licaling iisks in llc woikplacc. ll
also maximiscs llc cffcclivcncss of llc pioccss and assisls wlcn undcilaking
subscqucnl iisk asscssmcnls (llc foims in Appcndix A may bc of assislancc}.
Somc of llc icasons foi kccping iccoids aboul llc clccliical iisk managcmcnl
pioccss and clccliical safcly aclivilics aic lo.
- dcmonslialc llal llc pioccss was conduclcd piopcily (c.g. lo piovidc
cvidcncc},
- piovidc a iccoid of iisks,
- piovidc llc iclcvanl dccision makcis will a iisk managcmcnl plan foi
appioval and subscqucnl implcmcnlalion,
- piovidc a icsponsiblc and accounlablc mcclanism and lool,
- mcasuic piogicss and clangc lliougl conlinuous moniloiing and icvicwing,
- piovidc an audil liail,
- comply will lcgislalivc icquiicmcnls, and
- slaic and communicalc infoimalion.
20
1lc iccoids slould slow llal llc pioccss las bccn conduclcd piopcily and
includc infoimalion aboul clccliical iisks al llc woikplacc as wcll as llc iisk
licalmcnl mcasuics. 1lc dclail and cxlcnl of iccoiding will dcpcnd on llc sizc
of llc woikplacc and llc polcnlial foi majoi clccliical safcly issucs. Adcqualc
iccoids will subslanlialc wlal llc closcn iisk licalmcnl mcasuics wcic bascd
upon and llc basis upon wlicl llc iisk asscssmcnl was undcilakcn.
1lc infoimalion lo bc iccoidcd includcs.
- llc iisk asscssmcnl dalc, idcnlificd clccliical iisks, asscsscd iisks and closcn
iisk licalmcnl mcasuics,
- low llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics wcic implcmcnlcd, moniloicd and icvicwcd,
- iclcvanl iclalcd liaining iccoids, and
- llc consullalion undcilakcn and wlo was involvcd.
1lc iccoids of infoimalion could also includc llc.
- clccklisls, woikslccls and any asscssmcnl lools uscd in woiking lliougl llc
iisk managcmcnl pioccss,
- namcs of llc WES0, WESR and WES commillcc mcmbcis,
- plans foi clangcs, and
- plans foi llc dcvclopmcnl and implcmcnlalion of iisk licalmcnl mcasuics.
Fvciyonc in llc woikplacc slould bc awaic of iccoid kccping icquiicmcnls,
including wlicl iccoids aic acccssiblc and wlcic llcy aic kcpl.
ll is a icquiicmcnl undci scclion 7AB of llc Acl llal an cmployci oi sclf-
cmploycd pcison musl kccp a icgislci of liccnscd clccliical woikcis.
21
Part 3 : Electrical Risk Identication
3.1 Step 1: Identify risks
3.1.1 Introduction
Woikplaccs conlain a iangc of iisks. 1lis aim of llis pail is lo givc piaclical
advicc aboul low lo idcnlify electrical risks al a woikplacc foi llc puiposc of
managing cxposuic lo iisks al llc woikplacc.
3.1.2 What is electrical risk?
Electrical risk means the risk to a person of death, shock or injury caused
directly by electricity or originating from electricity. It also includes the risk to
property of damage caused by a cathodic protection system or loss or damage
caused directly by electricity or originating from electricity.
This is the definition of electrical risk for the purpose of this Code.
3.1.3 How to identify electrical risks
1lc fiisl slcp in llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss is lo idcnlify clccliical iisks. 1lis
mcans looking foi llosc llings associalcd will clccliicily al llc woikplacc llal
lavc llc polcnlial lo causc laim.
1o bcgin idcnlifying clccliical iisks, ask llc qucslions.
- Wlcic aic clccliical inslallalions localcd in llis woikplacc?
- Aic llcic any clccliical iisks fiom llc inslallalions oi associalcd woik piacliccs?
1lcsc aic pioaclivc ways lo idcnlify iisks. Flccliical iisks can also bc idcnlificd
fiom iccoids of pasl accidcnls and ncai misscs.
22
3.1.4 Categorising electrical risks
Flccliical iisks aic nol always obvious and may bc ovcilookcd by cvcn
cxpciicnccd clccliical woikcis. Foi cxamplc, clccliical wiiing may bc insidc walls
and nol obvious oi cvidcnl.
1o assisl in idcnlifying iisks, llcy may bc calcgoiiscd as follows.
- The obvious risk is appaicnl lo llc scnscs (c.g. visibly damagcd clccliical
cquipmcnl}.
- The concealed risk is nol appaicnl lo llc scnscs (c.g. clccliicily supply
infiasliucluic insidc walls}.
- The developing risk cannol bc iccogniscd immcdialcly and will dcvclop ovci
limc (c.g. fiaying clccliical cxlcnsion coids duc lo suifacc conlacl}.
- The transient risk is an inlcimillcnl oi a lcmpoiaiy iisk (c.g. usc of lifling
cquipmcnl ncai ovcilcad lincs oi inlcimillcnl clccliical dcfccl}.
ll is impoilanl lo icmcmbci llal an clccliical iisk may bccomc moic obvious and
casily idcnlifiablc wlcn a pcison aclually pcifoims a lask.
1o makc llc job of idcnlifying clccliical iisks in llc woikplacc casici, picpaic and
cslablisl llc conlcxl foi llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss. 1lis involvcs idcnlifying.
- all aclivilics involvcd in woik pioccsscs and lasks,
- wlo is involvcd in llosc aclivilics, and
- ilcms of planl oi malciials llal aic uscd.
1lcn makc a lisl of all llc clccliical iisks al llc woikplacc. 0ncc llis lisl of
clccliical iisks is compilcd, cacl iisk slould bc considcicd individually. Fxamplc
foims lo lclp will llis pioccss aic allaclcd in Appcndix A.
3.1.5 What if ...?
Eaving a sliucluicd appioacl lo idcnlifying clccliical iisks impiovcs llc clanccs
of idcnlifying all of llc iisks in llc woikplacc. A pcison can ask llcmsclvcs.
- ls llis aclivily safc?
- Wlal if llis oi llal occuis - llcn - wlal will lappcn?
23
Wlcn idcnlifying a iisk a pcison slould ask.
- ls il possiblc llal ...?
- Wlal would lappcn if ...?
1lis is llc 'Wlal if .?` appioacl lo wlal could lappcn.
Ask What if ...? rather than think that could not happen!
3.2 How to look for and identify electrical risks
3.2.1 Visual inspection and observation
1lc mosl common and simplc way lo bcgin lo look foi clccliical iisks is lo
conducl icgulai walk- lliougl visual inspcclions of llc woikplacc. Look al cacl
lask llc woikcis do lo scc if any clccliical iisks aic picscnl, sucl as llc usc of
clccliical cquipmcnl lo landlc loads oi pioximily lo clccliical inslallalions.
ll may also bc lclpful lo obscivc lask pcifoimancc and llc aclivilics involvcd,
sucl as scl-up, opcialion, clcaning, mainlcnancc and inspcclion, as moic clccliical
iisks may bccomc appaicnl. 1lis will piovidc llc oppoilunily lo scc wlcllci llc
documcnlcd pioccduic foi pcifoiming llc lask is bcing followcd by llc woikcis,
oi wlcllci woikcis aic laking sloil culs oi spccding up woik, llus cicaling a iisk.
3.2.2 Structured approach
1o impiovc llc clanccs of idcnlifying all of llc clccliical iisks in llc woikplacc, il
will lclp lo lakc an addilional sliucluicd appioacl.
0nc way is lo dividc llc woikplacc inlo gioupings sucl as.
- localions, sucl as officcs, giounds, waiclousc oi wcl aicas,
- funclions oi pioduclion pioccsscs, sucl as adminislialion, cooking, wasling,
clcaning, iccciving, foiming, oi finisling,
- iolcs, sucl as clccliical woikcis and non-clccliical woikcis, and
- lasks sucl as woiking will clccliical cquipmcnl, opcialing planl ncai
ovcilcad clccliic lincs oi clcaiing vcgclalion ncai ovcilcad lincs.
24
Anollci way lo idcnlify clccliical iisks in llc woikplacc is lo makc a lisl ilcmising
cquipmcnl, lools and known pioccsscs. Fiom llis lisl, dclciminc wlcllci llcic
aic any cxisling icgulalions oi ollci codcs of piaclicc llal apply wlicl spccify
icsliiclions oi iisk licalmcnl mcasuics. 1lc lisl will also piovidc a uscful clccklisl
lo woik fiom.
0llci ways lo lclp idcnlify clccliical iisks includc.
- consulling woikcis aboul.
- pioblcms llcy lavc cncounlcicd in doing llcii woik,
- any modificalions lo llcii woik pioccsscs,
- any sciious clccliical incidcnls, dangcious clccliical cvcnls, ncai misscs
2
,
oi cvcnls llal lavc nol bccn icpoilcd,
- unicpoilcd minoi injuiics,
- any unicliablc oi malfunclioning clccliical cquipmcnl, and
- icvicw of icnovalions, icpaiis oi cxpansions lo buildings oi sliucluics foi
clccliical iisks.
- conducling an clccliical safcly audil
- sccking infoimalion by.
- consulling will Woikplacc Ecalll and Safcly Rcpicscnlalivcs (WESRs}
and woikplacc lcalll and safcly commillccs,
- knowing llc indusliy`s cxpciicncc of common polcnlial clccliical iisks,
and
- acquiiing infoimalion fiom dcsigncis, manufacluicis, supplicis, and ollci
oiganisalions, sucl as unions, cmployci bodics and lcalll and safcly
consullancics.
- analysing.
- iccoids and dala covciing incidcnls and ncai misscs, woikci complainls,
sick lcavc and slaff luinovci, and
- mainlcnancc iccoids, icsulls of suivcys, audils oi inspcclions.
2
Ncai misscs slould bc invcsligalcd immcdialcly aflci llcy occui lo asccilain llcii causc. Also, woikcis slould bc
cncouiagcd lo icpoil all injuiy incidcnls, cvcn llosc icsulling in vciy minoi injuiics.
25
3.2.3 Some other points to keep in mind
Wlcn collccling infoimalion lo idcnlify clccliical iisks, considci llc following.
- compclcncy and lcvcl of liaining of woikcis and wlcllci il is adcqualc,
- low pcoplc aclually usc, clcan, scivicc oi icpaii clccliical cquipmcnl, and
- low suilablc llc llings uscd foi llc lask aic, and low wcll llcy aic localcd.
Think:
Although nothing has happened in the past, it may still be unsafe.
3.3 What to look for - examples of electrical risks
Look al cacl lask llc woikcis do lo dclciminc wlcllci any clccliical iisks aic
picscnl.
1lc common clccliical iisks and causcs of injuiy can bc biokcn inlo llicc bioad
calcgoiics
4
. 1lcy aic.
- Electric shock causing injuiy oi dcall. 1lc clccliic slock may bc icccivcd by
diiccl conlacl, liacking lliougl oi acioss a mcdium, oi by aicing.
- Arcing, explosion, overheating or fire causing buins. 1lc injuiics aic oflcn
suffcicd bccausc aicing, cxplosion, oi boll occui wlcn ligl faull cuiicnls aic
picscnl. 0vcilcaling can also icsull in buins and fiic.
- Toxic gases causing illncss oi dcall. Buining and aicing associalcd will
clccliical cquipmcnl causcs a iangc of loxic gascs and conlaminanls lo bc
picscnl. Compounds ianging fiom ozonc lo cyanidc and sulpluiic acids can
bc picscnl as wcll as llc iisks sucl as low oxygcn conlcnl in llc aii.
1lcsc common clccliical iisks may bc picscnl individually oi combincd.
Somc woikplacc aclivilics oi aiiangcmcnls may cicalc oi incicasc iisks, if llcy
aic nol piopcily managcd. 1lcsc includc.
- puiclasing policics (c.g. cnsuic llal all puiclascs of clccliical cquipmcnl
includc llc ncccssaiy documcnlalion lo piovc llcy aic clccliically safc and
llal il is clccliically suilablc, and cnsuic llal all clccliical woik donc is
caiiicd oul by liccnscd conliaclois},
- iolcs, icsponsibililics, and accounlabililics (c.g. if llcy aic nol clcaily dcfincd,
pcoplc will nol know wlal llcy lavc lo do, wlcn oi low lo do il},
4
AS|NZS 4826.2001 - Safc woiking on low-vollagc clccliical inslallalions, scclion 2.2 and Flccliical Safcly Codc of
Piaclicc foi Flccliical Woik (Pail 2}
26
- mainlcnancc and scivicing piogiams foi planl lo covci wcai and lcai lo
clccliical componcnls aic lo bc caiiicd oul in accoidancc will manufacluicis`
iccommcndalions by appiopiialcly liccnscd clccliical woikcis, and
- liaining piogiams, wlcic iisk managcmcnl of piopcily is cmplasiscd ovci llc
iisk managcmcnl of pcoplc and safcly.
3.3.1 Workplace safety culture
Fiom a vciy bioad pcispcclivc, llc oiganisalional cnviionmcnl and culluic in
llc woikplacc, and low il conliibulcs lo iisks, may foim a fiamcwoik foi iisk
idcnlificalion.
Woikplaccs lavc a sliong safcly culluic wlcic.
- managcmcnl piomolcs iisk awaicncss and mindfulncss,
- clccliical safcly comcs fiisl in llc minds of llc woikcis, wlo will bc lcss
likcly lo cul coincis oi cngagc in unsafc bclavioui, and
- managcmcnl cncouiagcs woikcis lo spcak up wlcn llcy idcnlify clccliical
iisks in llc woikplacc.
Woikplaccs do not lavc a sliong safcly culluic wlcic.
- woikcis aic cncouiagcd lo woik oulsidc llcii liaining oi accicdilalion aica lo
aclicvc laigcls,
- managcmcnl allows woikcis lo cul coincis, oi
- skylaiking, pianks oi ollci piaclical jokcs llal incicasc llc likclilood of an
accidcnl, aic lolcialcd by supcivisois oi managcis.
ln llcsc woikplaccs, llc woikci`s way of llinking is in ilsclf a iisk, il las llc
polcnlial lo causc llcm oi ollcis laim.
3.4 When electrical risks are identified
0ncc llc clccliical iisks in llc woikplacc lavc bccn idcnlificd, il is good piaclicc
in a iisk managcmcnl syslcm lo cnlci llcm inlo a iisk icgislci (scc Appcndix A}.
A icgislci of all clccliical iisks in a woikplacc is an impoilanl icfcicncc lool, as il
can assisl in idcnlifying 'ncw` clccliical iisks in ollci lasks in llc woikplacc, and
piovidcs a iccoid of aclions lakcn lo lical llc clccliical iisks. 1lc bcsl icsulls in
clccliical iisk idcnlificalion aic oblaincd wlcn llc woikcis aic consullcd in llc
pioccss.
27
Actions for Step 1: Identify electrical risks
1. Copy an electrical risk identification form (Form 1) from Appendix A of this Code.
2. Complete the electrical risk identification section on the form.
3. Transfer the description of the electrical risk and the perceived associated risk to the risk register
- Form 8 from Appendix A of this Code.
3.5 Applied case study: Risk identification
1lc following casc sludy is an cxamplc of low lo usc llc Codc.
Information to set the context
1lc woikplacc is a bakciy llal also piovidcs coffcc and loasl, snacks clc. ll is onc
of scvcial icccnlly lakcn ovci by llc samc cmployci. 1lc busincss is laigc cnougl
lo includc a WES0 (Clailcs Blogg} among llc slaff mcmbcis. Clailcs las bccn
woiking will llc company foi 12 monlls, and las bccn askcd lo undcilakc an
clccliical safcly iisk managcmcnl pioccss.
Clailcs discusscd llc clccliical safcly icvicw will lis cmployci and llcy agiccd
on low il would bc donc. Clailcs madc il clcai llal, alllougl lc was an
cxpciicnccd WES0 foi bakciics, lc would icly on liccnscd clccliical woikcis
lo assisl in llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss. 1lcy agiccd llal llc bakciy`s icgulai
clccliical conliacloi slould bc involvcd as wcll as llc manufacluicis, supplicis
and mainlaincis of llc bakciy`s clccliical cquipmcnl.
ln picpaialion foi llis icvicw, lc dividcd llc woikplacc inlo llicc scclions
(bakciy, coffcc slop and public aicas}. Slailing will llc bakciy, Clailcs idcnlificd
llc diffcicnl aclivilics and lasks llal aic caiiicd oul by llc woikcis.
1lcsc includc.
- picpaiing a numbci of diffcicnl pioducls sucl as bicads, cakcs, sliccs and
douglnuls, and
- clcaning up using walci and dclcigcnls.
ln llc coffcc slop aica, Clailcs idcnlificd aclivilics associalcd will llc
picpaialion of coffcc, loasl and ollci snacks. 1lcsc includcd.
- picpaiing coffcc,
- loasling and bullciing a iangc of bicads, and
- laking paymcnl fiom cuslomcis.
28
Clailcs also conduclcd an inspcclion of llc public aica.
1lc slaff wlo caiiy oul llcsc lasks aic. 1im, llc lcad bakci wlo las 2 ycais
cxpciicncc, 1ina, llc bakci`s assislanl (onc ycai oul of lci appicnliccslip}, and
1oln, a young appicnlicc (fiisl ycai and nol ycl al appicnliccslip collcgc}. Clailcs
las mcl will all woikcis lo advisc lc is going lo bc icvicwing llc clccliical safcly
of llcii woikplacc and las askcd llcm lo llink aboul llings llcy llink aic unsafc
oi dangcious.
The forms used throughout this case study are included in Appendix A.
Case study
A walk-lliougl suivcy of llc bakciy and consullalion will llc woikcis las
idcnlificd llc following clccliical iisks. 1lis foim can bc found in Appcndix A.
Example: Electrical risk register XYZ Retail Pty Ltd
Woikplacc aica oi giouping. Bakery XYZ Retail Pty Ltd Rcf. no.1|08
Foim complclcd by. C. Bloggs (piinl namc} (sign}
Palc foim complclcd. 26 | 11 | 08
Ref. no. Identified electrical risks Date Initials
1 Plug in electrical equipment toaster - shock risk. 25/10/08 CB
2 Lamp replacement and cleaning by staff - shock
risk.
09/11/08
reported by
Tina
CB
3 Overhead electric line to front of shop public area
(outside) - shock risk if contacted by delivery trucks
or other activities.
10/11/08

CB
4 Cleaning work in bakery may expose electrical
equipment to water damage shock risk.
15/11/08 CB
Clailcs icaliscs llal llis lisl is incomplclc and llal addilional infoimalion slould
bc includcd aflci lc las consullcd will llc liccnscd clccliical woikcis wlo know
llc bakciy and llc lypcs of clccliical cquipmcnl uscd llcic, and can idcnlify ollci
clccliical iisks. Clailcs, in consullalion will iclcvanl liccnscd clccliical woikcis,
will icvisc and add lo llis icgislci ovci limc c.g. as llc ncw ownci upgiadcs
clccliical cquipmcnl oi clangcs woik pioccsscs.
Note: This list is not exhaustive and should not be used as a template for
identifying electrical risks.
29
Part 4 : Risk Assessment except for Licensed
Electrical Workers Undertaking Live
Electrical Work
4.1 Step 2: Assess the risks
4.1.1 What is risk?
Risk is the likelihood and consequence of injury or harm occurring.
This is the definition of risk for the purpose of this Code.
1lc dcgicc of iisk will dcpcnd upon llc amounl of cxposuic lo llc clccliical iisk.
Foi cxamplc, clccliicily is lazaidous. il las llc polcnlial lo laim oui lcalll. Bul
llc lcvcl of iisk dcpcnds on llings sucl as.
- low mucl clccliical cquipmcnl is picscnl,
- llc dcgicc lo wlicl pcoplc inlciacl will clccliical cquipmcnl, and
- low mucl of llc clccliical cquipmcnl is uscd icgulaily.
4.2 Why assess the risks?
1lc puiposc of a iisk asscssmcnl is lo dclciminc.
- wlcllci llcic is any likclilood of a polcnlially lazaidous silualion causing
dcall, injuiy oi illncss lo pcoplc in llc woikplacc,
- low scvcic llal iisk is, and
- wlcllci llc iisk nccds lo bc licalcd and low uigcnlly.
Asscssing oi cvalualing llc idcnlificd iisks will llc lools piovidcd in llis pail
will lclp lo.
- dclciminc wlicl oncs aic llc mosl sciious (i.c. llosc will gicalci likclilood
and mosl scvcic conscqucnccs}, and
- plan llc aclions nccdcd lo lical llc iisks in oidci of piioiily, fiom mosl
sciious lo lcasl sciious iisks lo lcalll and safcly.
Piioiilising iisks in llis way is similai lo liiagc in a lospilal`s cmcigcncy
dcpailmcnl. Boll aic syslcms of ianking in oidci of impoilancc and allocaling
limilcd icsouiccs lo lical llc mosl sciious fiisl.
30
1lis Codc docs nol covci all clccliical iisks in a woikplacc. Wlcic llcic is no
icgulalion oi codc of piaclicc, oi llcic aic gaps llal aic nol covcicd, a iisk
asscssmcnl slould bc undcilakcn lo dclciminc suilablc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics lo
covci llc dcficicncy.
4.3 How to assess risks
4.3.1 Likelihood and consequences
1o asscss llc lcvcl of iisk, llc likclilood of an cvcnl occuiiing (will il lappcn oi
could il lappcn?} and llc cxlcnl of llc conscqucnccs llal could icsull (if il docs
occui, low sciious will llc oulcomc bc?} musl bc considcicd. Boll faclois aic
cqually impoilanl in cslablisling llc lcvcl of iisk and il is nol impoilanl wlicl
facloi is considcicd fiisl.
Risk = severity of consequences x likelihood of occurrence
4.3.2 Estimating likelihood and consequences
Wlcn cslimaling llc likclilood of an cvcnl oi silualion occuiiing and llc scvciily
of llc polcnlial conscqucnccs, il is impoilanl foi llc pcison doing llc iisk
asscssmcnl lo icfci lo llc following infoimalion.
- iclcvanl liaining, pailiculaily of liccnscd clccliical woikcis,
- pasl safcly iccoids, sucl as safcly commillcc infoimalion,
- incidcnl slalislics in llc woikplacc oi llc wlolc indusliy,
- piaclicc and iclcvanl cxpciicncc in llc iclcvanl oiganisalion and ollcis in llc
indusliy,
- manufacluici`s dala oi infoimalion on piopci usc of clccliical cquipmcnl,
- iclcvanl publislcd lilcialuic sucl as liadc magazincs, icscaicl ailiclcs, safcly
oiganisalions and cmployci and cmploycc oiganisalions` malciials,
- maikcl icscaicl sucl as indusliy dcvclopmcnl of ncw malciials and
cquipmcnl,
- llc icsulls of public consullalion sucl as ncw public piojccls oi inslilulc
infoimalion,
- cconomic, cngincciing oi ollci modcls sucl as ualily Assuiancc (A}, 1olal
ualily Managcmcnl (1M} oi safcly culluic,
- spccialisl and cxpcil judgcmcnls sucl as safcly consullanls oi casc law
dccisions, and
- ollci codcs of piaclicc (c.g. Working Near Exposed Live Parts or Electrical Work}.
31
Establishing likelihood
1lc likclilood of an cvcnl oi silualion occuiiing will dcpcnd on boll llc
piobabilily and ficqucncy of cxposuic lo a iisk. 1lcic may bc a numbci of faclois
spccific lo llc woikplacc llal will influcncc llc likclilood of an cvcnl occuiiing,
sucl as.
- low, wlcic and wlcn pcoplc aic cxposcd lo llc iisk, and
- low cxposuic vaiics ovci limc oi by localion.
1o lclp cslablisl llc bcsl cslimalc of likclilood, llcic aic a numbci of cxamplcs
of faclois lislcd bclow llal may nccd lo bc lakcn inlo accounl.
Factors influencing likelihood
1lc following faclois can affccl llc likclilood of an cvcnl oi silualion occuiiing.
- How often the task occurs: Wlcn llc samc lasks aic icpcalcd, llc likclilood
incicascs. Foi cxamplc, loading and unloading cquipmcnl sucl as cxlcnsion
coids fiom a ulc may lcad lo dangcious abiasion of llc insulalion on llc
coids.
- How many people are exposed: Ccncially, llc gicalci llc numbci of pcoplc
cxposcd lo llc iisk, llc moic likcly an incidcnl will occui. Foi cxamplc,
llicc slifls of woikcis in a 24-loui disliibulion ccnlic, opcialing clccliically
powcicd convcyci bclls could bc cxposcd lo an clccliical iisk if il was picscnl.
- The duration of exposure: Ccncially, llc longci a pcison is cxposcd lo llc
iisk, llc moic likcly an incidcnl will occui.
- The position of the electrical risk relative to workers and to other risks: Foi
cxamplc, an clccliician woiking in llc vicinily of cxposcd livc pails.
- The skills and competence of persons exposed: Woikcis wlo aic nol liaincd
in safc and cfficicnl mcllods of woik aic moic likcly lo bc injuicd. Foi
cxamplc, if a woikci las nol bccn piopcily liaincd in using an ilcm of
clccliical cquipmcnl, oi a woikci las nol bccn liaincd in llc safc opcialion
of clccliically opcialcd planl, llis could incicasc llc clancc of luman ciioi
lcading lo dangcious cvcnls and injuiy.
- Experience of persons exposed: Foi cxamplc, a woikci will 20 ycais
cxpciicncc is lcss likcly lo makc llc samc mislakc and causc an incidcnl llan
a woikci will only lwo monlls cxpciicncc. Adcqualc liaining and icasonablc
compclcncc lo do a lask will icducc llc likclilood of an incidcnl.
32
- Distractions: ll is moic likcly llal an incidcnl will occui wlcn a woikci is nol
paying full allcnlion lo llc lask oi llcii suiioundings. Foi cxamplc, a woikci
lislcning lo music lliougl lcadploncs incicascs llc clancc of bcing caiclcss
will an ilcm of clccliical cquipmcnl.
- Environmental conditions: Foi cxamplc, walci in llc vicinily of clccliical
cquipmcnl.
- Condition of equipment: 1lc usc of dcfcclivc cquipmcnl is moic likcly lo
causc an incidcnl. Foi cxamplc, a powci coid may bccomc woin oi damagcd
lliougl misusc.
- The effectiveness of existing risk treatment measures:
- Po llc cxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics icpicscnl good piaclicc?
- Aic llc cxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics picvcnling oi minimising
cxposuic lo llc clccliical iisk?
- Po woikcis know aboul llc cxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics?
- Aic llc cxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics bcing uscd oi followcd?
- Aic llcic adcqualc syslcms oi pioccduics in placc in iclalion lo llc
cxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics?
- ls llcic adcqualc liaining and supcivision in iclalion lo llc cxisling iisk
licalmcnl mcasuics?
- ls llcic adcqualc mainlcnancc in iclalion lo llc cxisling iisk licalmcnl
mcasuics?
- Aic llc cxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics casy lo usc and follow?
1lc following dcsciiplivc scalc can bc uscd lo nominalc llc likclilood of an cvcnl
oi silualion occuiiing al llc woikplacc.
Likelihood Almost certain
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
Rare
expected in most circumstances
will probably occur in most circumstances
might occur at some time
could occur at some time
may occur only in exceptional circumstances
Establishing consequences
1lc scvciily oi iangc of llc polcnlial conscqucnccs icsulling fiom an cvcnl oi
silualion can bc dclcimincd by a numbci of faclois, sucl as.
- low mucl laim llc iisk could causc,
- low many pcoplc il could affccl, and
33
- wlcllci llc laim would bc sloil oi long lcim.
Somc cxamplcs of faclois llal can affccl llc scvciily of conscqucnccs icsulling
fiom an incidcnl aic piovidcd bclow.
Factors influencing consequences
1lc following faclois can affccl llc scvciily of conscqucnccs wlcn an cvcnl oi
silualion lappcns.
- Potential for chain reaction: Wlcic a iisk, if nol climinalcd, may cvolvc and
compound inlo an cvcn moic dangcious silualion. Foi cxamplc, llcic is llc
polcnlial foi mulliplc dcalls wlcn fcllow woikcis allcmpl lo assisl and icscuc
a pcison suffciing fiom clccliic slock.
- Volumes of materials: Foi cxamplc, llc polcnlial conscqucnccs of a lcak of
a small amounl of walci inlo llc woikplacc nol in an aica wlcic ilcms of
clccliical cquipmcnl aic bcing uscd may bc iclalivcly minoi, compaicd will
llc polcnlial conscqucnccs of llc iclcasc of a laigc amounl of llc walci.
Flccliicily plus walci is an incicascd iisk.
- Position of the worker relative to the risk: Foi cxamplc, woikcis woiking
closc lo clccliical cquipmcnl aic moic likcly lo comc inlo conlacl will faully
cquipmcnl llan llosc woiking fuillci away.
- Forces and energy levels: Foi cxamplc, llc liglci llc vollagc of clccliicily
and llc possibilily of a ligl cuiicnl flowing lliougl a pcison, llc moic
scvcic llc conscqucnccs aic likcly lo bc.
1lc following dcsciiplivc scalc can bc uscd lo nominalc llc conscqucnccs of an
cvcnl oi silualion occuiiing al llc woikplacc.
Consequences Catastrophic
Major
Moderate
Minor
Insignificant
death
extensive injuries, loss of production
medical treatment
first aid treatment only
no injuries
Considciing llc conscqucnccs of an cvcnl oi silualion, llcic may bc a finc linc
bclwccn an insignificanl and a calaslioplic oulcomc. ln somc silualions, a ncai
miss llal icsulls in no injuiy could jusl as casily lavc bccn falal.
34
4.3.3 Risk rating
1lc lcvcl of iisk, icpicscnlcd by a 'iisk scoic` (numbci} and 'iisk slalcmcnl` (lcllci},
is dclcimincd by llc iclalionslip bclwccn likclilood and conscqucncc.
1o dclciminc llc lcvcl of iisk.
- plol llc cslimalcd lcvcls of likclilood and conscqucncc on llc following iisk
piioiily clail lo find llc iisk scoic and slalcmcnl, llcn
- icfci lo llc iisk scoic and slalcmcnl clail lo scc wlal aclions nccd lo bc
lakcn.
In the event of a licensed electrical worker performing live electrical work,
they should use the risk / consequence matrix in Part 5 of this Code.
Risk priority chart (risk score and statement) except for performing live
electrical work (refer to Part 5 of this Code)
LIKELIHOOD
How likely is it to
happen?
CONSEQUENCES:
How severely it hurts someone (if it happens)?
Insignificant
(no injuries)
Minor
(first aid
treatment
only)
Moderate
(medical
treatment)
Major
(extensive
injuries,
loss of
production)
Catastrophic
(death)
Almost certain -
expected in most
circumstances
3
H
3
H
4
A
4
A
4
A
Likely - will
probably occur in
most circumstances
2
M
3
H
3
H
4
A
4
A
Possible - might
occur at some time
1
L
2
M
3
H
4
A
4
A
Unlikely - could
occur at some time
1
L
1
L
2
M
3
H
4
A
Rare - may occur,
only in exceptional
circumstances
1
L
1
L
2
M
3
H
3
H
35
Risk score and statement
Score and
statement
Action
4
A: Acute
ACT NOW Urgent - do something about the risks immediately. Requires
immediate attention.
3
H: High
Highest management decision is required urgently.
2
M: Moderate
Follow management instructions.
1
L: Low
OK for now. Record and review if any equipment/ people/ materials/ work
processes or procedures change.
ll is impoilanl lo nolc llal llcsc iisk scoics lavc no absolulc valuc and slould
only bc uscd foi compaiison.
1lis slagc of llc iisk asscssmcnl piovidcs llc basis foi ianking oi piioiilising
iisks in oidci of impoilancc fiom 1 lo 4 (4 bcing llc liglcsl iisk scoic and llc
mosl impoilanl}. Wlcn llc iisk scoics foi all llc iisks in llc woikplacc lavc bccn
compaicd, llc icsulling ianking will bc a guidc lo llc oidci in wlicl llcsc iisks
slould bc addicsscd. Wlcn moic llan onc iisk las llc samc ianking and nol all
can bc dcall will al oncc, llc iisks may nccd lo bc icasscsscd lo dclciminc wlicl
is llc mosl impoilanl lo dcal will fiisl.
1o gcl llc bcsl icsulls fiom a iisk asscssmcnl, consull will as many pcoplc
as possiblc in llc woikplacc including llc WES commillcc, WESRs, WES0s,
supcivisois, managcis and ollcis will knowlcdgc and cxpciicncc.
Simplified advice
No or low risk - continue activity
If it is not at all likely that anyone will be exposed to a hazardous situation or event, then there is no
risk, and no risk control measures are required.
Moderate or high risk continue activity under management instruction.
If it is possible or likely that a person will be exposed to a hazardous situation or event, then risk
control measures are urgently required.
Acute risk stop activity now
If there is an acute or immediate risk to health or safety, the process / activity in question must be
ceased until measures are taken to remove the acute or immediate risk.
36
4.4 Applied case study Risk assessment
Fiom llc clccliical iisk icgislci, iisks aic now asscsscd lo dclciminc llcii scvciily.
1lis cxamplc uscs llc foim 'Risk asscssmcnl and conliol` (Foim 2} fiom Appcndix
A, and focuscs on onc of llc clccliical iisks idcnlificd in llc cxamplc in Pail 2 of
llis Codc. A scpaialc foim slould bc uscd foi cacl iisk.
Example: Risk assessment and control
Fill in onc foim foi cacl iisk idcnlificd al llc woikplacc.
37
Woikplacc aica oi giouping. Bakery XYZ Retail Pty Ltd Rcf. no.1|08
Foim complclcd by. C. Bloggs (piinl namc} (sign}
Palc foim complclcd. 26 | 11 | 08
Risk identification
Risk. Plug-in electrical equipment toaster shock risk.
Associalcd iisk. Person using toaster could receive a shock if toaster has been splashed with water.
Spccific ciicumslanccs iclaling lo llc iisk. Toaster is located adjacent to hand washing facilities. It is a hygiene
requirement that staff are required to wash hands before and after using any equipment.
Pcisons al iisk. All workers who use the toaster.
Risk assessment
Fxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics (if any}.
Likclilood. (lick} Almosl ccilain Likcly Modcialc Unlikcly Raic
Conscqucnccs. (lick} Calaslioplic Majoi Modcialc Minoi lnsignificanl
Risk ialing. Aculc
Risk control
This risk must be treated immediately. The toaster must not be used again until the risk has been eliminated.
Possible risk treatment options:
Fliminalion.
Subslilulion.
lsolalion oi Fngincciing.
Adminislialivc oi pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl.
Picfciicd iisk licalmcnl oplions (and wly}.
Implementation plan
Treatment
option
Associated
activities
Resources
required
Person(s)
responsible
Proposed
implementation
date
Sign off
and date
Scheduled
review date
Review
Aic iisk licalmcnl mcasuics in placc?
- Ycs.
- No, commcnl (wly nol?}.
Aic iisk licalmcnl mcasuics picvcnling oi minimising llc iisk?
- Ycs.
- No, commcnl (wly nol?}.
Aic llcic any ncw pioblcms will llc iisk?
- No.
- Ycs, commcnl (wlal aic llcy?}.
38
Part 5 : Risk Management for Licensed Electrical
Workers Undertaking Live Electrical Work
5.1 Introduction
1lis pail covcis all livc clccliical woik llal is madc up of lcsling and ollci woik,
and also includcs woiking ncai livc clccliical pails. ll givcs piaclical ways of
managing llc clccliical iisks associalcd will livc clccliical woik pcifoimcd by
liccnscd clccliical woikcis. ll applics a fivc slcp iisk managcmcnl pioccss llal
obligalion loldcis undci llc Acl slould follow lo makc suic all clccliical iisks foi
clccliical woik aic as low as icasonably aclicvablc.
Fffcclivc iisk managcmcnl involvcs idcnlifying all woikplacc iisks, llcn caiiying
oul a iisk asscssmcnl foi cacl iisk lo asscss llc scvciily of a iisk bcfoic dcciding
ils piioiily. Wlcn pcifoiming a iisk asscssmcnl, dclciminc llc iisks llal lavc llc
gicalcsl polcnlial lo causc laim and a gicalci likclilood of occuiiing. 1lcsc iisks
aic licalcd fiisl, followcd by llc lcss sciious iisks.
1lc fivc basic slcps in llc woikplacc lcalll and safcly iisk managcmcnl pioccss
slould bc followcd lo managc cxposuic lo clccliical iisks. 1lcsc slcps aic.
1. idcnlify iisks, bascd on cxpciicncc, iccoidcd dala and ollci infoimalion,
2. asscss llc associalcd iisks by making an cvalualion of llc lcvcl of iisks lo llc
lcalll and safcly of woikcis, bascd on llc conscqucnccs and likclilood of
laim,
2. sclccl iisk licalmcnl mcasuics fiom llc iisk licalmcnl liciaicly
(c.g. climinalc, subslilulc, isolalc oi cngincci oul llc iisks, oi icducc llcm
lliougl adminislialivc mcasuics oi pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl} by
sclccling llc liglcsl oidci licalmcnl mcllod possiblc and llcn piocccding
down llc lisl in oidci,
4. implcmcnl oi apply llc sclcclcd iisk licalmcnl mcasuic(s} in llc woikplacc, and
. moniloi llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics lo cnsuic llal llcy aic woiking coiicclly
lo conliol llc iisks and llal no ollci iisks lavc bccn inlioduccd.
Pclailcd infoimalion aboul llis pioccss can bc found in Pail 2 of llis Codc.
1lis scclion piovidcs piaclical advicc lo cmploycis, sclf-cmploycd pcisons
and liccnscd clccliical woikcis aboul low lo idcnlify clccliical iisks. 1iaining
39
and cxpciicncc cnablcs liccnscd clccliical woikcis lo idcnlify iisks and caiiy
oul an cffcclivc iisk asscssmcnl llal will piovidc llc mcasuics lo climinalc oi
significanlly icducc llc iisk of a sciious clccliical incidcnl oi dangcious clccliical
cvcnl occuiiing. Fuillci infoimalion on idcnlifying iisks and conducling iisk
asscssmcnls can bc found in Pails 2 and 4 of llis Codc.
ln livc clccliical woik bcing pcifoimcd by a liccnscd clccliical woikci, llcic may
bc a finc linc bclwccn an insignificanl and a calaslioplic oulcomc if a sciious
clccliical incidcnl oi dangcious clccliical cvcnl occuis. Civcn llc sciiousncss of
clccliicily as a iisk foi liccnscd clccliical woikcis woiking livc, in llc abscncc of
any iisk licalmcnl mcasuics, llc maliix ialing foi conscqucnccs would clicfly bc
in llc ligl zonc.
Scclion 11 of llc Rcgulalion slalcs llal, subjccl lo llc ciicumslanccs dcsciibcd
in scclion 12, livc woik musl nol bc pcifoimcd, and llal cacl cxposcd livc pail
is lo bc licalcd as if il wcic cncigiscd unlil il is isolalcd and piovcn lo bc nol
cncigiscd. 1o woik dc-cncigiscd, llc liccnscd clccliical woikci musl fiisl lcsl lo
asccilain wlcllci llc clccliical pail is dc-cncigiscd oi nol. 1csling is considcicd
lo bc 'livc woik`.
Wlilc il is icquiicd lo woik livc lo lcsl bcfoic an clccliical pail can bc
dc-cncigiscd, llis pail is wiillcn on llc undcislanding llal, fiom limc lo limc,
liccnscd clccliical woikcis will bc icquiicd lo caiiy oul livc clccliical woik. 1lis
can only bc donc aflci llc aclions dcsciibcd in scclion 12 of llc Rcgulalion lavc
bccn caiiicd oul.
Section 12 Requirements for performance of live work
5
(1} 1lc following ciicumslanccs aic icquiicd foi llc pcifoimancc of livc woik --
(a} il is nol piaclicablc lo pcifoim llc clccliical woik ollci llan by livc woik
bccausc of 1 oi moic of llc following -
(i} il is ncccssaiy in llc inlcicsls of safcly, wlcllci oi nol clccliical
safcly, foi llc woik lo bc pcifoimcd wlilc llc clccliical cquipmcnl llc
subjccl of llc clccliical woik is cncigiscd.
Example for subparagraph (i)
ll may bc ncccssaiy in llc inlcicsls of ioad safcly foi a scl of liaffic
liglls lo icmain opcialing wlilc clccliical woik is pcifoimcd on llc
liglls.

Electrical Safety Regulation 2002, scclion 12, Rcquiicmcnls foi pcifoimancc of livc woik.
40
(ii} a supply of clccliicily is ncccssaiy foi llc piopci pcifoimancc of
llc clccliical woik,
(iii} llcic is no icasonablc allcinalivc lo pcifoiming llc clccliical
woik by livc woik,
Example for subparagraph (iii)
ll may bc ncccssaiy, lo avoid widcspicad oulagcs, lo pcifoim
clccliical woik on woiks of an clccliicily cnlily by livc woik.
(b} llc cmployci oi sclf-cmploycd pcison las picpaicd, in a documcnl, a iisk
asscssmcnl of llc pcifoimancc of llc livc woik,
(c} llc pcifoimancc of llc clccliical woik is in accoidancc will a safc syslcm
of woik,
Example
A safc syslcm could includc picvcnling pcisons fiom acccssing llc aica
wlcic livc woik is bcing pcifoimcd if llc pcisons aic nol nccdcd foi llc
pcifoimancc of llc woik.
(d} llc cmployci oi sclf-cmploycd pcison aulloiiscs llc pcifoimancc of
llc livc woik only aflci consullalion will llc pcison in conliol of llc
clccliical cquipmcnl llc subjccl of llc clccliical woik,
(c} llc pcison wlo pcifoims llc livc woik las appiopiialc liaining foi llc
pcifoimancc of llc livc woik,
(f} lcsling cquipmcnl appiopiialc lo llc pcifoimancc of llc livc woik las
bccn givcn lo llc pcison pcifoiming llc clccliical woik, llc lcsling
cquipmcnl las bccn piopcily mainlaincd, and llc pcison pcifoiming llc
clccliical woik makcs piopci usc of llc lcsling cquipmcnl in pcifoiming
llc woik,
(g} clolling and pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl appiopiialc lo llc
pcifoimancc of llc livc woik las bccn givcn lo llc pcison pcifoiming
llc clccliical woik and llc pcison pcifoiming llc clccliical woik makcs
piopci usc of llc clolling and cquipmcnl in pcifoiming llc woik,
(l} ollci llan foi cxcmpl clccliical woik, llc isolalion poinl of llc clccliicily
supply foi llc clccliical cquipmcnl llc subjccl of llc clccliical woik -
(i} las bccn clcaily idcnlificd, and
(ii} is ablc lo bc icaclcd quickly willoul llc nccd lo climb ovci oi slifl
obsliuclions,
(i} llc aica wlcic llc clccliical woik is pcifoimcd is clcai of obsliuclions lo
llc cxlcnl ncccssaiy foi casy acccss lo and fiom llc aica,
41
(j} llcic is a safcly obscivci obsciving llc pcifoimancc of llc clccliical woik
unlcss -
(i} llc woik involvcs lcsling clccliical cquipmcnl, and
(ii} llc iisk asscssmcnl picpaicd undci paiagiapl (b} docs nol slow llcic
is a ligl iisk lo clccliical safcly in pcifoiming llc lcsling of llc
clccliical cquipmcnl.
Example for subparagraph (ii)
lf a iisk asscssmcnl docs nol slow llcic is a ligl iisk lo clccliical
safcly in pcifoiming llc lcsling of llc polaiily of an inslallcd oullcl, a
safcly obscivci is nol icquiicd lo obscivc llc pcifoimancc of llc woik.
(2} ln llis scclion -
exempt electrical work mcans -
(a} clccliic linc woik, oi
(b} clccliical woik on a consumci`s clccliical inslallalion caiiicd oul on llc
supply sidc of llc main swilcl on llc main swilclboaid foi llc inslallalion,
if llc isolalion poinl of llc clccliical supply foi llc inslallalion is nol
icasonably acccssiblc fiom llc aica wlcic llc clccliical woik is caiiicd oul.
Example of when isolation point is not reasonably accessible from the area
where electrical work is being carried out -
llc clccliical woik is caiiicd oul al a placc and llc isolalion poinl is al a
subslalion localcd al anollci placc.
safe system of work, foi livc woik on a low vollagc clccliical inslallalion,
includcs, bul is nol limilcd lo, a syslcm of woik llal complics will llc
piovisions of AS|NZS 4826. Safc woiking on low-vollagc clccliical
inslallalions aboul cnsuiing llc safcly of pcisons wlilc pcifoiming livc woik.
safety observer mcans a pcison wlo -
(a} obscivcs llc pcifoimancc of clccliical woik, and
(b} is compclcnl lo lclp a pcison pcifoiming llc clccliical woik, and
(c} las bccn asscsscd in llc lasl 6 monlls lo bc compclcnl lo icscuc a pcison
pcifoiming clccliical woik and piovidc icsuscilalion.
Liccnscd clccliical woikcis lavc undcigonc liaining and acquiicd cxpciicncc lo
cnsuic llcy aic lcclnically compclcnl and cquippcd lo caiiy oul clccliical woik
42
in a way llal is clccliically safc. 1lis liaining includcs clccliical iisk managcmcnl
knowlcdgc and will significanlly icducc llc likclilood of a sciious clccliical
incidcnl oi dangcious clccliical cvcnl occuiiing. It does not, however, replace the
necessity of carrying out a risk assessment as required in section 12(1)(b) of the
Regulation, before commencing electrical work.
This part (part 5) describes and illustrates the risk / consequence matrix to be
used by licensed electrical workers performing live electrical work.
ln many ciicumslanccs, llc iisks associalcd will undcilaking livc clccliical woik
can bc cquivalcnl lo llosc associalcd will clccliical woik ncai cxposcd livc pails.
Fvalualion of llc iisks and dcvclopmcnl of iisk licalmcnl mcasuics as dcsciibcd
in llc Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 Working Near Exposed Live Parts
will piovidc fuillci assislancc in dcvcloping safc woik piacliccs.
5.2 Risk matrix for live work
1iaining and cxpciicncc - logcllci will llc liglly spccialiscd lcsling and
pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl uliliscd by a liccnscd clccliical woikci - along will
llc icquiicmcnls foi llc pcifoimancc of livc woik scl down in scclion 12 of llc
Rcgulalion, significanlly icduccs llc likclilood of a sciious clccliical incidcnl oi
dangcious clccliical cvcnl occuiiing. ll also icduccs llc conscqucnccs if onc docs
occui.
Foi llcsc icasons, llc maliix slown bclow diffcis fiom llal includcd in Pail 4
of llis Codc and icflccls llc applicalion of scclion 12(1} of llc Rcgulalion.
43
Risk priority chart for live work
LIKELIHOOD
OF HARM
How likely is it to
happen?
CONSEQUENCES: Likely severity of harm
Insignificant
(no injuries)
Minor
(first aid
treatment
only)
Moderate
(medical
treatment)
Major
(extensive
injuries)
Catastrophic
(death)
Almost certain:
expected in most
circumstances
Low Moderate High High High
Likely:
will probably
occur in most
circumstances
Low Moderate High High High
Moderate:
might occur at
some time
Low Moderate Moderate High High
Unlikely:
could occur at
some time
Low Low Moderate High High
Rare:
may occur only
in exceptional
circumstances
Low Low Low Moderate Moderate
1lis slagc of llc iisk asscssmcnl piovidcs llc basis foi ianking oi piioiilising iisks
in oidci of impoilancc fiom 'low` lo 'ligl`. Wlcn llc iisk scoics foi all llc iisks
in llc woikplacc lavc bccn compaicd, llc icsulling ianking will bc a guidc lo
llc oidci in wlicl llcsc iisks slould bc addicsscd. Wlcn moic llan onc iisk las
llc samc ianking and nol all can bc dcall will al oncc, llc iisks may nccd lo bc
icasscsscd lo dclciminc wlicl is llc mosl impoilanl lo dcal will fiisl.
Risk score and statement for live work
Score and statement Action
High Review decision to work live. In the event of no practicable alternative
to working live, use a competent safety observer and follow mandated
actions for live work in accordance with section 12 of the Regulation as
listed in this part.
Moderate Review decision to work live. In the event of no practicable alternative to
working live, follow mandated actions for live work in accordance with
section 12 of the Regulation as listed in this part.
Low Follow mandated actions for live work in accordance with section 12 of the
Regulation as listed in this part.
Regularly review implemented risk treatment measures.
44
Foi llc puiposcs of llis pail llcic aic now llicc calcgoiics in lcims of iisk. low,
modcialc and ligl.
Low risk, foi cxamplc.
- lcsling of an inslallcd oullcl wlcic llcic is no damagc lo llc oullcl and wlcic
faull cuiicnl piolcclion is uliliscd on llc clccliical inslallalion, or
- faull finding on a domcslic wasling maclinc wlcic llc ciicuil is piolcclcd by
a safcly swilcl.
Case study
An clccliical woikci is diicclcd lo inspccl foi damagc, and lcsl llc polaiily of, all
clccliical oullcls on llc flooi of an officc building, following icpoils of biokcn
facc plalcs on oullcls.
1. 1lc clccliician fiisl inspccls llc swilclboaid wlicl supplics llc oullcls on llc
flooi and idcnlifics llal all llc powci ciicuils aic piolcclcd by safcly swilclcs
mounlcd on llc boaid.
2. 1lc polaiily lcsl is lo bc undcilakcn will llc ciicuils cncigiscd and llc
clccliician idcnlifics llal llis is livc woik, subjccl lo a iisk asscssmcnl undci
scclion 12 of llc Rcgulalion. 1lc lcsl insliumcnl lo bc uscd is a mulli-mclci
will piobcs incoipoialing cxposcd mclal lips, and wlicl las bccn lcslcd
willin llc picvious six monlls. Pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl, including
insulalcd glovcs and bools, and long slccvcd clolling, aic also lo bc uscd.
2. 0n icfciiing lo llc iisk asscssmcnl maliix, llc likclilood of laim is
considcicd unlikely and llc conscqucnccs in llc cvcnl of an incidcnl likcly lo
bc minor. 0n llis basis, llc clccliician concludcs llal llc iisk is low.
4. lnspcclion of llc oullcls llcn piocccds.
Moderate risk, foi cxamplc.
- LV lcsling on a singlc plasc swilclboaid oi cquipmcnl wlcic faull cuiicnl
piolcclion is uliliscd in llc clccliical inslallalion, or
- faull finding on a pcimancnlly conncclcd appliancc wlcic faull cuiicnl
piolcclion is uliliscd on llc clccliical inslallalion.
Case study
An clccliician is callcd oul lo a domcslic piopcily lo icplacc an clccliic slovc.
45
1. 1lc clccliician fiisl inspccls llc inslallalion foi acccss issucs and llcn llc
swilclboaid lo dclciminc llc localion of llc isolaloi foi llc slovc ciicuil.
2. 1lc woik llcn piocccds in accoidancc will scclion 12 of llc Rcgulalion,
including llc usc of coiiccl pcisonal piolcclivc clolling and cquipmcnl.
2. Aflci idcnlifying and isolaling llc slovc ciicuil al llc swilclboaid, llc
clccliician uliliscs a 'non-conlacl clccliicily pioximily dclccloi` on llc supply
cablc al llc slovc wlicl indicalcs wlcllci llc ciicuil icmains cncigiscd and
oblains a nil icading. ll is llcn ncccssaiy lo confiim llal llc appliancc is
dc-cncigiscd by using a suilablc lcsl insliumcnl sucl as a mulli-mclci.
- ln llis casc, llc cnviionmcnl is diy and wcll lil will acccss lo llc lcsl aica
bcing unobsliuclcd. 1lcic aic no cxposcd livc pails, ollci llan llosc bcing
lcslcd.
- 1lc isolalion poinl las bccn idcnlificd and can bc casily acccsscd if ncccssaiy.
- Piolcclivc clolling and cquipmcnl, including insulalcd glovcs and bools,
insulalcd mal, cyc piolcclion, and long slccvcd collon clolling is uliliscd.
- 1lc lcsling cquipmcnl lo bc uscd las bccn lcslcd willin llc picvious six
monlls.
4. 0n icfciial lo llc iisk asscssmcnl maliix, llc lcsling is nol indicalcd as a
ligl iisk. Will scclion 12 iisk licalmcnl mcasuics in placc, llc iisk of an
incidcnl in lcims of likclilood and conscqucnccs is significanlly icduccd and
is considcicd low. As sucl, no safcly obscivci is icquiicd.
. 1lc lciminal covci is llcn icmovcd and llc lcsl cquipmcnl is conncclcd lo
llc cxposcd lciminals, will llc icsull bcing a piovcn dc-cncigiscd ciicuil.
6. 1lc clccliician piocccds will llc inslallalion of llc ncw slovc including
confiimalion of caill conlinuily and, upon complclion, ic-cncigiscs llc slovc
ciicuil al llc swilclboaid.
7. ll is llcn ncccssaiy lo lcsl llc polaiily of llc ncwly inslallcd slovc and lo
ic-fil llc lciminal covci. As llis is lo bc donc will llc ciicuil cncigiscd, all
scclion 12 icquiicmcnls again apply.
8. Aflci considciing all llcsc faclois, llc clccliician dclcimincs llal, in
accoidancc will llc iisk analysis maliix, llc iisk is moderate and llc usc of a
safcly obscivci is nol icquiicd.
46
1lis casc sludy slows llal, by cnsuiing scclion 12 iisk licalmcnl mcasuics aic
in placc and llcic aic no ollci iisks, llc likclilood of an incidcnl occuiiing
duiing lcsling is moderate and llc conscqucncc if onc did occui would bc no
gicalci llan moderate, icsulling in a moderate iisk wlcn calculalcd using llc iisk
asscssmcnl maliix.
High Risk, foi cxamplc.
- pcifoiming woik on commcicial llicc-plasc swilclboaid cquipmcnl, or
- caiiying oul clccliical woik al a placc wlcic llc isolalion poinl is al a sub-
slalion localcd in anollci placc.
Case study
An clccliician is icquiicd lo find llc causc of an inlcimillcnl pailial loss of
powci on llc fifll flooi of a mulli-lcvcl lospilal complcx lousing ciilical-caic
moniloiing cquipmcnl. 1lc powci supply foi llc building is lliougl a llicc-plasc
main swilclboaid localcd on llc giound flooi, llcn via sub-main swilclboaids
silualcd on cacl flooi.
1. 1lc woik lo bc undcilakcn icquiics visual inspcclion and plysical lcsling
of llc sub-boaid and sub-main componcnls. 1lc lcsling icquiics includcs
conlacl will livc conduclois in closc pioximily will ollci livc pails.
2. ln llis casc.
- llc cnviionmcnl is diy and wcll-lil will acccss lo llc lcsl aica bcing
unobsliuclcd,
- llcic aic cxposcd livc pails adjaccnl lo llosc bcing lcslcd,
- llc isolalion poinl las bccn idcnlificd and can bc icadily acccsscd if
ncccssaiy,
- piolcclivc clolling and cquipmcnl including insulalcd glovcs and bools, an
insulalcd mal, cyc piolcclion and long slccvcd collon clolling is uliliscd, and
- llc lcsling cquipmcnl lo bc uscd las bccn lcslcd willin llc picvious six
monlls.
0n icfciial lo llc iisk asscssmcnl maliix, will all scclion 12 icquiicmcnls in
placc, llc likclilood of laim is moderate and llc conscqucnccs in llc cvcnl of an
incidcnl occuiiing aic nol likcly lo cxcccd moderate. 0n llal basis, llc ovciall iisk
is considcicd moderate and no safcly obscivci is icquiicd.
2. 1lc lcsling is llcn pcifoimcd and llc pioblcm is idcnlificd as a faully
ciicuil bicakci wlicl musl bc icplaccd. 0n confciiing will llc lospilal
47
adminislialion slaff, il is found llal llc powci lo llc cquipmcnl sciviccd by
llc sub-main inslallalion cannol bc disconncclcd foi cvcn a sloil pciiod, as
il is ciilical lo palicnl caic. 1lc clccliician dclcimincs llcic is no allcinalivc
lo llc pcifoimancc of livc woik undci llc ciicumslanccs. Rcfcicncc lo llc
iisk managcmcnl maliix confiims llal, slould llc woik bc undcilakcn 'livc`,
llc likclilood of laim is likely, will llc conscqucnccs bcing high. 1lc woik
llcicfoic cannol piocccd willoul a qualificd safcly obscivci in allcndancc,
and llis is aiiangcd.
4. 1lc clccliician and safcly obscivci confci on llc woik lo bc undcilakcn
and llc localion and acccss poinl foi llc supply isolaloi, and all piolcclivc
cquipmcnl as picviously uscd is again dcploycd by boll woikcis. Appiopiialc
lools aic sclcclcd lo fuillci minimisc llc iisk of an incidcnl duiing
pcifoimancc of llc woik. A baiiici is cicclcd lo picvcnl acccss lo llc woik
aica duiing llc pcifoimancc of llc icpaii and llc safcly obscivci dclcimincs
llc cquipmcnl and couisc of aclion icquiicd in llc casc of an incidcnl
occuiiing.
. 1lc clccliician llcn piocccds lo undcilakc llc icplaccmcnl of llc faully
ciicuil bicakci will llc inslallalion cncigiscd, will llc safcly obscivci bcing
alcil lo any cmciging dangci duiing llc couisc of llc icpaii.
6. 0n complclion of llc woik, llc sub-main inslallalion is sccuicd and llc
acccss baiiici icmovcd.
Variables for consideration in risk assessment
1lc casc sludics abovc aic piovidcd by way of guidancc only and llc oulcomc of
llc iisk asscssmcnl can bc incicascd fiom lo low lo moderate oi high by onc oi a
combinalion of any ollci vaiiablcs, including.
- adcquacy of liglling - pooi ligll oi sladow,
- acccss - obsliuclions lo llc woik aica, wlcllci lliougl cquipmcnl dcsign oi
placcmcnl,
- suifaccs - wcl oi conlaminalcd aicas,
- gcncial cnviionmcnl - dusl, insccls, vcimin damagc,
- impacl of ollci silc aclivilics - llc picscncc of ollci liadcs oi woik aclivilics
in llc woik aica, and
- swilclboaids will ligl piospcclivc faull cuiicnls.
48
5.3 Summary
A syslcmalic iisk managcmcnl pioccss is a lcgal obligalion wlcn undcilaking livc
clccliical woik. 1lc pioccss picsciibcs a way of disclaiging llc clccliical safcly
obligalion of an cmployci oi sclf-cmploycd pcison lo cnsuic llc pcison`s busincss
oi undcilaking is conduclcd in a way llal is clccliically safc.
1lc fivc basic slcps in llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss piovidc a pioccss lo idcnlify
and asscss iisks, and managc cxposuic lo llosc iisks. Wlcn uscd in conjunclion
will llc iisk maliix foi livc woik and woiking ncai livc clccliical pails conlaincd
in llis Pail, llc polcnlial cxisls lo significanlly icducc llc iisk of polcnlial dcall
and injuiy wlcn pcifoiming livc clccliical woik.
49
Part 6 : Treat, Implement, Monitor and Review
6.1 Step 3: Decide on risk treatment measures
1lc aim of llis pail is lo givc dclailcd and piaclical advicc aboul low lo sclccl
iisk licalmcnl mcasuics, and implcmcnl, moniloi and icvicw llcii cffcclivcncss.
Slcp llicc of llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss is aboul dcciding low lo lical llc
clccliical iisks llal lavc bccn idcnlificd. Risk licalmcnl mcasuics musl follow an
cslablislcd liciaicly as scl oul in scclion 27A of llc WES Acl.
6.1.1 The risk treatment hierarchy
An obligalion loldci
6
musl dccidc on llc appiopiialcncss of iisk licalmcnl
mcasuics. 0bligalion loldcis musl slail al llc lop of llc liciaicly illuslialcd
bclow and sclccl mcasuics fiom llc liglcsl oidci possiblc.
Risk treatment hierarchy
A. eliminating the risk;
B. if this is not possible, the risk must be minimised by measures
considered in the following order:
i. substituting the risk with one giving rise to a lesser risk; if not
then
ii. isolating the risk from anyone who may be at risk; if not then
iii. minimising the risk by engineering means; if not then
iv. applying administrative measures; if not then
v. using personal protective equipment.
Most effective
measure
Least effective
measure
1lc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics can bc dividcd inlo llicc lcvcls.
- llc liglcsl lcvcl includcs mcasuics llal addicss llc iisk al llc souicc, oi
wlcic il comcs fiom (i.c. climinalion, subslilulion},
- llc sccond lcvcl mcasuics inlcivcnc in llc iisk`s couisc bclwccn llc souicc
and a woikci (i.c. isolalion oi cngincciing}, and
- llc lliid and lowcsl lcvcl mcasuics aic implcmcnlcd al llc poinl of llc
woikci (i.c. adminislialivc mcasuics, pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl}.
ln many cascs, il will bc ncccssaiy lo usc a combinalion of mcasuics lo
appiopiialcly managc cxposuic lo a iisk. Foi cxamplc, lo minimisc cxposuic
6
Foi infoimalion on obligalion loldcis, plcasc icfci lo Pail 1 of llis Codc.
50
lo a iisk involving clccliicily, llc supply of clccliicily could bc disconncclcd
(climinalion}, safci woik pioccduics (adminislialivc mcasuics} inlioduccd and
pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl piovidcd foi woikcis lo usc wlcn cnsuiing
clccliical pails aic dc-cncigiscd.
Table 1: Risk treatment measures and examples of use
Risk treatment
measure
Comment Examples of use
Elimination Treat the risk at the source. This
is the most effective treatment
measure and removes the risk by
changing the work processes.
Disconnect electricity, re-route
electricity away from work site.
Substitution Replace the electrical risk with an
alternative that has a lower risk.
Battery or air-driven tools could be
substituted for electrically powered
tools.
Isolation Remove or separate people from the
source of the risk.
Use rubber mats (isolating barrier)
to separate workers from being
in contact with a concrete floor
(conductive path).
Minimise by
redesigning
Change the physical characteristics
of the plant or workplace to remove
or reduce the risk.
Modify a machine so it can be used
by remote control; use a limiting
device to prevent plant from
entering an exclusion zone.
Administrative
measures
Use policies, procedures, signs and
training to treat risk.
Use a safety observer and/or
tigertails.
Personal protective
equipment (PPE)
Provide equipment or clothing
designed to protect the worker.
Provide rubber-soled boots and
insulating gloves.
6.1.2 Consultation
Consullalion will woikcis and ollcis wlo may bc affcclcd by llc iisks in
llc woikplacc is csscnlial al all slagcs of llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss, bul
pailiculaily in slcp llicc, as llc woikcis and ollcis may bc ablc lo suggcsl ways
lo cffcclivcly managc llc iisks and allow llcm lo opcialc cfficicnlly in llcii jobs.
6.1.3 Selecting the most appropriate risk treatment measures
Wlcn sclccling llc mosl appiopiialc licalmcnl mcasuics, llcic aic a numbci
of faclois llal will influcncc llc dccision, including woikcis` opinions, bul il is
impoilanl lo kccp in mind llal llc objcclivcs of llc Acl aic lo picvcnl pcoplc
dying, bcing injuicd oi bccoming ill as a icsull of cxposuic lo clccliical iisks al
llcii woikplaccs.
51
Wlcn sclccling a iisk licalmcnl mcasuic, il is impoilanl lo bc ablc lo juslify
wly llal pailiculai mcasuic was closcn, iallci llan a liglci lcvcl mcasuic.
Foi cxamplc, llcic musl bc a good icason wly adminislialivc mcasuics c.g. a
sign was closcn lo lical llc iisk inslcad of cloosing a mcllod llal climinalcs
subslilulcs, isolalcs oi cnginccis oul llc iisk.
Simply following llc iisk licalmcnl liciaicly docs nol ncccssaiily mcan
compliancc will llc Acl and | oi llc WES Acl.
Wlcn iisk licalmcnl mcasuics aic sclcclcd llcy slould.
- adcqualcly lical cxposuic lo llc iisk now and will conlinuc lo do so ovci
limc,
- nol cicalc anollci iisk,
- allow woikcis lo do llcii woik willoul unduc discomfoil oi dislicss, and
- bc piopoilionalc lo llc dcgicc and naluic of llc iisk (i.c. ligl iisk and scvcic
conscqucnccs slould lavc subslanlial pcimancnl solulions}.
6.2 Eliminate the risk
Fliminaling llc iisk complclcly is llc mosl cffcclivc licalmcnl and musl always
bc allcmplcd fiisl wlcn dcciding on iisk licalmcnl mcasuics. 1lis may mcan
disconlinuing dangcious woik piacliccs, icmoving dangcious subslanccs, oi
inlioducing ncw cquipmcnl (c.g. dc-cncigising lincs oi ic-localing planl away
fiom llc vicinily of clccliic lincs}.
6.2.1 Safe design
0nc of llc ways lo climinalc a iisk al llc souicc is by addicssing safcly issucs
duiing llc dcsign slagc of cquipmcnl, sliucluics and pioccsscs. Foi cxamplc,
dclcimining lay-oul oi scl-up of a woik aica al llc dcsign slagc of llc
consliuclion of a woikplacc can climinalc clccliical iisks and icducc llc iisks
of woikcis bcing injuicd in llal woikplacc oi ollci ncgalivc cffccls on llc
cnviionmcnl and pcoplc oulsidc llc woikplacc.
6.2.2 Policies and procedures
A ligl pciccnlagc of clccliical iisks can bc climinalcd oi minimiscd al llc souicc
lliougl sound policics and pioccduics iclaling lo puiclasing, inslalling and
commissioning planl, malciials and facililics. Foi cxamplc, puiclasc clccliical
cquipmcnl llal is fil foi puiposc and cnsuic woikcis aic piopcily liaincd lo usc
llc cquipmcnl.
52
6.3 Prevent or minimise exposure to the risk
lf an clccliical iisk cannol bc climinalcd, llcic aic a numbci of licalmcnl
mcasuics llal can bc uscd alonc, oi in combinalion will ollci mcasuics, lo
picvcnl oi minimisc cxposuic lo llc iisk.
Substitution involvcs icplacing llc iisk will onc llal picscnls a lowci and moic
managcablc iisk. Fxamplcs of subslilulion includc.
- icplacing planl oi cquipmcnl will a moic suilablc lypc, sucl as subsliluling
conduclivc mclal scaffolding will non-conduclivc scaffolding, and
- icplacing a pcdcslal fan will a cciling fan in a icslauianl kilclcn lo climinalc
llc liacking of an clccliic coid acioss a damp flooi, insulalion on coid may
bccomc woin and fiaycd and causc an clccliical iisk.
Isolation icfcis lo isolaling oi scpaialing llc iisk fiom llc pcison, oi llc pcison
fiom llc iisk. Fxamplcs of isolalion includc.
- inslalling sciccns oi baiiicis aiound clccliically lazaidous aicas lo picvcnl
diiccl oi indiiccl conlacl will livc clccliical pails,
- cnclosing oi guaiding dangcious clccliical cquipmcnl lo picvcnl
cncioaclmcnl inlo an cxclusion zonc, and
- isolaling llc clccliicily supply fiom clccliical cquipmcnl.
Engineering measures (redesign) involvcs clanging llc dcsign of llc woikplacc,
cquipmcnl oi woik pioccss lo minimisc llc iisk. ll icquiics llinking aboul ways
llc woik could bc donc diffcicnlly lo makc llc woikplacc safci.
Fxamplcs of cngincciing mcasuics includc.
- in cianc woik, usc limiling oi waining dcviccs lo picvcnl llc jib fiom
cnlciing llc cxclusion zonc, oi waining llc opcialoi bcfoic llc jib can cnlci
llc cxclusion zonc,
- combining lasks, sucl as using an clccliically safc clcvalcd woik plalfoim and
spiay-painling,
- clanging pioccduics lo minimisc lazaidous lasks, sucl as land sanding ncai
clccliical wiiing iallci an using a powcicd dcvicc, and
- using insulalcd lools and cquipmcnl lo pcifoim clccliical woik wlcic llcic
is no allcinalivc lo woiking livc, foi cxamplc, using an insulalcd fibicglass
cxlcnsion laddci.
53
6.3.1 When exposure to the risk cannot be minimised by other
means
Adminislialivc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics and llc usc of pcisonal piolcclivc
cquipmcnl aic lowcsl on llc lisl of mcasuics. Risk licalmcnl mcasuics dcvclopcd al
llis lcvcl slould N01 bc iclicd on as llc piimaiy mcans of iisk licalmcnl unlil llc
oplions liglci in llc lisl lavc bccn cxlauslcd. 1lcsc mcasuics icquiic cnfoiccmcnl
and commilmcnl by llc oiganisalion`s managcmcnl, logcllci will bclavioui
modificalion of woikcis. 1lcy aic dcpcndcnl on piopci liaining and appiopiialc
luman bclavioui lo woik cffcclivcly and llcicfoic, lcnd lo bc lcss succcssful.
Ccncially, adminislialivc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics and pcisonal piolcclivc
cquipmcnl slould only bc uscd.
- wlcn llcic aic no ollci piaclical iisk licalmcnl mcasuics availablc (as a lasl
icsoil}, oi
- lo supplcmcnl ollci iisk licalmcnl mcasuics (i.c. as back-up}.
Administrative risk treatment measures involvc using pioccduics oi insliuclions
lo minimisc cxposuic lo a iisk. ll is oflcn ncccssaiy lo usc llcsc iisk licalmcnl
mcasuics in conjunclion will ollci mcasuics. Fxamplcs of adminislialivc iisk
licalmcnl mcasuics includc.
- limilcd cnliy lo oi limilcd limc spcnl in clccliically lazaidous aicas,
- adcqualc supcivision,
- liaining in safc woik pioccduics, sucl as liaining in llc opcialion of an
clcvaling woik plalfoim,
- dcvclopmcnl of safc woik pioccduics oi safc syslcms of woik and subscqucnl
insliuclion and liaining of woikcis in llcsc pioccduics foi cxamplc safcly
obscivci liaining,
- picvcnlivc mainlcnancc and lousckccping pioccduics, and
- waining signs sucl as 'ligcilails` lo diaw allcnlion lo ovcilcad clccliic lincs.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is oflcn uscd in combinalion will ollci
iisk licalmcnl mcasuics as a final baiiici bclwccn llc woikci and llc iisk. 1lis
mcasuic docs nol lical llc iisk al llc souicc. 1lc succcss of llis mcasuic dcpcnds
on llc pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl bcing.
- closcn coiicclly (i.c. wlal will il bc uscd foi and llc comfoil and
icquiicmcnls of llc usci},
- Bc complianl lo a iclcvanl Auslialian slandaid,
54
- woin coiicclly al all limcs wlcn issucd,
- uscd coiicclly willin limilalions, and
- mainlaincd in good condilion and lcslcd as icquiicd.
Fxamplcs of pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl includc.
- piolcclivc cycwcai, sucl as gogglcs, safcly glasscs and facc sliclds,
- clccliical insulaling glovcs, and
- fiic icsislanl clolling, apions, bools and glovcs.
6.4 Step 4: Implement risk treatment measures
6.4.1 Implementation plans
Aflci llc mosl appiopiialc conliol mcasuics availablc lo conliol llc clccliical
iisks and picvcnl oi minimisc iisks in llc woikplacc lavc bccn idcnlificd, llc ncxl
slcp is lo pul llcsc mcasuics in placc. 1lis involvcs undcilaking llosc aclivilics
ncccssaiy lo allow llc sclcclcd mcasuics lo funclion oi opcialc cffcclivcly.
Fffcclivc implcmcnlalion usually involvcs llc dcvclopmcnl of an implcmcnlalion
plan. 1lc plan slould.
- spccify llc picfciicd iisk licalmcnl oplions,
- scl oul llc slcps llal nccd lo bc lakcn lo implcmcnl llc sclcclcd mcasuics,
- idcnlify and allocalc llc icsouiccs ncccssaiy lo implcmcnl llc mcasuics
(i.c. limc and cxpcnscs},
- allocalc icsponsibililics and accounlabililics (i.c. wlo docs wlal and wlcn},
- scl llc limcfiamc foi implcmcnlalion (i.c. wlcn il is lo bc complclcd by}, and
- scl a dalc foi icvicwing llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics.
An implcmcnlalion plan could also includc.
- llc pioccss foi documcnling and icpoiling piogicss in aclicving
implcmcnlalion, including wlo will moniloi llc piogicss,
- pioccduics lo bc uscd foi consullalion and communicalion of lcalll and
safcly infoimalion, including any ncw iisk licalmcnl mcasuics, lo woikcis
and ollci iclcvanl pcoplc, and
- cmcigcncy plans and pioccduics.
55
6.4.2 Additional steps for implementation
1lc following slcps will also makc llc implcmcnlalion of iisk licalmcnl mcasuics
moic cffcclivc.
Develop safe work procedures
Wiillcn safc woik pioccduics slould bc dcvclopcd lo cnsuic llal boll cxisling
oi ncw licalmcnl mcasuics aic cffcclivc. Managcmcnl, supcivisoi and woikci
icsponsibililics slould bc clcaily dcfincd in llc safc woik pioccduics. 1lcsc
pioccduics slould also includc cmcigcncy and conlingcncy pioccduics, wlicl
slould bc lcslcd icgulaily, and makc piovision foi clccliical safcly moniloiing.
Communicate with workers about implementation
Managcmcnl slould infoim woikcis and ollcis aboul llc lypcs of iisk licalmcnl
mcasuics llal will bc implcmcnlcd, low llcy will bc implcmcnlcd and wlo will
bc involvcd in llc implcmcnlalion. ll is also impoilanl lo cxplain llc icasons foi
llc clangcs, low llcy will bcncfil llc woikcis` safcly, and llc conscqucnccs if
llcy fail lo follow llc licalmcnl mcasuics.
Provide workers with training and instruction
ll is impoilanl lo piovidc liaining and insliuclion foi llc woikcis, supcivisois
and ollcis in iclalion lo any ncw iisk licalmcnl mcasuics and llc applicalion of
any safc woik pioccduic llal las bccn inlioduccd. Supcivisois aic icsponsiblc
foi dcvcloping liaining piogiams foi woikcis lo cnsuic llcy lavc llc ncccssaiy
cxpcilisc lo caiiy oul llcii jobs. Managcis and supcivisois slould cnsuic woikcis
wlo aic icluining lo woik aflci bcing abscnl duiing llc implcmcnlalion slagc
icccivc liaining and insliuclion aboul llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics oi pioccduics
llal lavc bccn implcmcnlcd. Rccoids of sucl liaining slould bc iccoidcd and
liaining slould bc icvicwcd and updalcd as icquiicd.
Supervise workers using risk treatment measures
Supcivisois slould bc icsponsiblc foi.
- making suic ncw woikcis aic awaic of llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics,
- cnsuiing llal ncw mcasuics aic bcing implcmcnlcd and uscd as planncd, and
coiiccling bclavioui wlcic ncccssaiy, and
- cnsuiing llal llc safc woik pioccduics aic bcing followcd by llc woikcis.
Ccncially supcivisois piovidc ongoing guidancc, coacling and assislancc lo
56
woikcis, wlicl is impoilanl wlcn ncw iisk licalmcnl mcasuics aic implcmcnlcd
oi cxisling mcasuics aic clangcd.
Enforce risk treatment measures
ll is impoilanl foi managcmcnl lo dcvclop cnfoiccmcnl pioccduics lo cnsuic woik
pioccduics aic followcd and licalmcnl mcasuics aic uscd appiopiialcly. 1lcsc
slould dclail llc conscqucnccs foi woikcis wlo do nol follow llc pioccduics,
sucl as wcaiing llcii PPF coiicclly.
Fnfoiccmcnl slould bc inlcgialcd inlo llc oiganisalion`s ER|lR pioccsscs and
slould bc boll foimal (iccoidcd|planncd} and infoimal (c.g. supcivisois ioulincly
clccking and cnfoicing}.
Record the processes
1lc Rcgulalion icquiics a woikplacc lo kccp ccilain iccoids foi a spccificd pciiod
of limc. 0llci iccoids cnsuiing lcalll and safcly al a woikplacc slould bc kcpl
as pail of llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss and il is impoilanl llal cvciyonc in llc
woikplacc is awaic of iccoid kccping icquiicmcnls, wlicl iccoids aic acccssiblc
and wlcic llcy aic kcpl. Rccoid kccping is a good woik piaclicc and slould
incicasc llc cffcclivcncss of llc woikplacc.
Set out maintenance requirements
Woik pioccduics slould spccify mainlcnancc icquiicmcnls lo cnsuic llc ongoing
cffcclivcncss of llc ncw and cxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics. Mainlcnancc is llc
aclivily involvcd in.
- kccping somclling in good woiking oidci,
- kccping a maclinc oi a syslcm funclioning oi in opcialion, and
- making suic llal llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics aic validalcd.
Consult on the implementation process
Consullalion bclwccn woikcis, supcivisois and managcis will allow fccdback lo bc
givcn on wlcllci.
- iisk licalmcnl mcasuics lavc bccn implcmcnlcd accoiding lo llc plan,
- llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics aic cffcclivc, and
- any ncw pioblcms lavc bccn causcd by llc ncw iisk licalmcnl mcasuics.
1lc pioccss may llcn nccd lo bc ic-cvalualcd and impiovcd, oi moic cffcclivc
iisk licalmcnl mcasuics considcicd.
57
6.5 Step 5: Monitor and review
1lc final slcp in llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss involvcs ciilically moniloiing
and icvicwing llc cffcclivcncss of llc iisk licalmcnl mcasuics llal lavc bccn
implcmcnlcd lo picvcnl oi minimisc llc iisks. 1lc moniloiing pioccss will idcnlify
wlcllci iisk licalmcnl mcasuics aic bcing implcmcnlcd accoiding lo llc plan,
wlcllci llcy aic woiking as inlcndcd and wlcllci any ncw pioblcms lavc aiiscn.
Considci wlcllci llcic is any gap bclwccn wlal was planncd and wlal is aclually
lappcning in llc woikplacc.
1lc icvicw pioccss icquiics a ciilical cvalualion of wlcllci llc cuiicnl iisk
licalmcnl mcasuics aic cnougl lo salisfy llc obligalions undci llc Acl, oi wlcllci
somclling clsc could bc donc lo minimisc llc iisks fuillci.
1lc iisk managcmcnl pioccss is a common scnsc appioacl llal slould answci llc
qucslion.
Is my workplace a healthy and safe workplace for all who work there and for all who come in
contact with it?
6.5.1 Monitoring the effectiveness of risk treatment measures
Wlcn moniloiing llc cffcclivcncss of iisk licalmcnl mcasuics, il may bc lclpful
lo ask llc following qucslions.
Have the chosen risk treatment measures been implemented as planned?
- Aic llc closcn mcasuics in placc?
- Aic llc mcasuics bcing uscd?
- Aic llc mcasuics bcing uscd coiicclly?
Are the chosen risk treatment measures working?
- Eavc any llc clangcs madc lo managc cxposuic lo llc asscsscd iisks
icsullcd in wlal was inlcndcd?
- Eas cxposuic lo llc asscsscd iisks bccn climinalcd oi adcqualcly icduccd?
Are there any new problems?
- Eavc llc implcmcnlcd licalmcnl mcasuics inlioduccd any ncw pioblcms?
- Eavc llc implcmcnlcd licalmcnl mcasuics icsullcd in llc woiscning of
any cxisling pioblcms?
58
1o answci llcsc qucslions.
- consull will woikcis, supcivisois and lcalll and safcly icpicscnlalivcs,
- consull and moniloi incidcnl icpoils, and
- icvicw safcly commillcc mccling minulcs wlcic possiblc.
6.5.2 Reviewing the risk management process
Scl a dalc foi llc icvicw of llc iisk managcmcnl pioccss. Wlcn icvicwing, clcck
if.
- llc pioccss llal is cuiicnlly in placc is slill valid,
- llings lavc clangcd llal could makc llc opcialing pioccsscs oi syslcm
ouldalcd,
- lcclnological oi ollci clangcs lavc affcclcd llc cuiicnl woikplacc, and
- a diffcicnl syslcm slould bc uscd allogcllci.
1lc icvicw pioccss may bc moic ciilical foi somc busincsscs llan foi ollcis. Foi
cxamplc, indusliics llal icly lcavily on lcclnology, sucl as lospilals, will nccd
lo icvicw llcii iisk managcmcnl pioccss moic oflcn lo kccp up will lcclnology
dcvclopmcnl.
6.6 Applied case study Treat, monitor and review
Following llc iisk asscssmcnl, cacl iisk las lo bc licalcd. Risk licalmcnl mcasuics
slould bc sclcclcd fiom llc iisk licalmcnl liciaicly. 0ncc llcy lavc bccn dccidcd,
an implcmcnlalion plan is dcvclopcd. 1lis cxamplc uscs llc foim 'Risk asscssmcnl
and licalmcnl` (Foim 2}, includcd in Appcndix A, and focuscs on only onc of llc
sclcclcd iisks.
59
Woikplacc aica oi giouping. Bakery XYZ Retail Pty Ltd Rcf. no.1|08
Foim complclcd by. C. Bloggs (piinl namc} (sign}
Palc foim complclcd. 26 | 11 | 08
Risk identification
Risk. Plug-in electrical equipment toaster shock risk.
Associalcd iisk. Person using toaster could receive a shock if toaster has been splashed with water.
Spccific ciicumslanccs iclaling lo llc iisk. Toaster is located adjacent to hand washing facilities. It is a hygiene
requirement that staff are required to wash hands before and after using any equipment.
Pcisons al iisk. All workers who use the toaster.
Risk assessment
Fxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics (if any}.
Likclilood. (lick} Almosl ccilain Likcly Modcialc Unlikcly Raic
Conscqucnccs. (lick} Calaslioplic Majoi Modcialc Minoi lnsignificanl
Risk ialing. Aculc
Risk treatment
This risk must be treated immediately. The toaster must not be used again until the risk has been eliminated.
Possible risk treatment options:
Fliminalion. Stop using the toaster. This would mean ceasing to make toast for cash paying customers who make up
a significant part of the early morning client base. Business revenue would suffer significantly.
Subslilulion. Not an option as there is no other way to meet client demand for fresh toast.
lsolalion oi Fngincciing. This is an option as with redesign, the toaster can be moved to a safer part of the work
area. It will mean one days loss of operation but will result in a safe operating environment.
Cost of moving toaster will be approximately $600. This is made up of lost sales $300 (toast and associated tea/
coffee) and cost of building new shelf for toaster $300.
Adminislialivc oi pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl. Clearly worded signs could be erected to encourage staff to examine
the toaster for possible splashes of water before use.
Picfciicd iisk licalmcnl oplions (and wly}. Re-design of work area to locate toaster well away from hand washing
area.
This will be a permanent solution and will ensure that no water will splash on to electrical parts.
Implementation plan
Treatment
option
Associated
activities
Resources
required
Person(s)
responsible
Proposed
implementation
date
Sign off
and date
Scheduled
review date
Re-design /
engineering
Stop using toaster
until solution in place.
Coffee/ tea can still be
provided.
$600 Store
manager
31 March 2009 XXX
01/02/09
Three
months after
implementation
date
Elimination
stop using the
toaster
While coffee and tea
can still be provided,
there is a valuable
client group that buys
toast and or a hot
drink each day.
No resources
but would
mean a loss
of revenue
Review 1 June 2009
Aic iisk licalmcnl mcasuics in placc?
- Ycs. 1oaslci lad bccn movcd lo safc aica.
- No, commcnl (wly nol?}.
Aic iisk licalmcnl mcasuics picvcnling oi minimising llc iisk?
- Ycs. 1lc ncw localion foi llc loaslci, away fiom llc land wasling facililics will picvcnl walci fiom bcing
splaslcd on lo loaslci and also will avoid woikcis fiom using llc maclinc will wcl oi damp lands.
- No, commcnl (wly nol?}.
Aic llcic any ncw pioblcms will llc iisk?
- No.
- Ycs, commcnl (wlal aic llcy?}.
60
Example: Electrical risk register
Fill in llis foim foi cacl woikplacc aica.
Form completed by: C Bloggs (WHSO) (print) (sign)
Date form completed: 27/11/08
Ref.
no
Risk Associated
risk
Risk
rating
Control measures Control
measure
implemented?
Review
date
Yes No
1 Plug in
electrical
equipment
Electrical
shock
from faulty
equipment
H Safety switch is installed,
which reduces risk.
Continue yearly testing
and inspection of all
electrical equipment.
Yes Test every 3
months
2 Poor lighting
in storage
area (due to
flour build-
up on light
fittings
Trip risk
as well as
electrical
shock risk.
M Clean light fittings and
replace tubes. Ensure all
cleaning and replacement
work is carried out by an
electrician
No 1 June 09
3 Low
overhead
powerlines
outside
shop
Delivery
truck or
other
striking
powerlines
and
receiving
shock
A Install underground
powerlines.
Develop a safe system
of work to ensure an
exclusion zone around
the powerlines is not
breached worker to
assist delivery drivers to
avoid the lines.
No
No
1 June 09
4 Cleaning
around
electrical
equipment
Water
damage to
electrical
equipment,
causing
shock and
damage to
equipment
A Avoid hosing where
possible use mops
to minimise splashing
water around electrical
equipment.
Develop a safe system
of work for hosing down
turn power off during
cleaning.
Yes No Every
week by
supervisor
1 June 09
Comments: (Are risk treatment measures preventing or minimising the risks? Have any new problems
been introduced?)
Ref. no. 1
Ref. no. 2
Ref. no. 3
Ref. no. 4
61
Appendix A: Forms for record keeping
Form 1: Electrical risk identification
Fill in onc foim foi cacl woikplacc aica oi giouping.
Workplace area or
grouping:
Form completed by:
(print name)
(sign)
Date form
completed:
/ /
Identify the task or
activity
What are the electrical risks for each
activity? (and Ref. no.)
Date Initials
62
Form 2: Risk assessment and treatment
Fill in onc foim foi cacl clccliical iisk idcnlificd al llc woikplacc.
Woikplacc aica oi giouping. Rcf. no.
Foim complclcd by. (piinl namc} (sign}
Palc foim complclcd. | |
Electrical risk identification
Risk.
Spccific ciicumslanccs iclaling lo llc iisk.
Pcisons al iisk.
Risk assessment
Fxisling iisk licalmcnl mcasuics (if any}.
Likclilood. (lick} Almosl ccilain Likcly Modcialc Unlikcly Raic
Conscqucnccs. (lick} Calaslioplic Majoi Modcialc Minoi lnsignificanl
Risk treatment
Possiblc licalmcnl oplions.
Fliminalion.
Subslilulion, lsolalion oi Fngincciing.
Adminislialivc oi pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl.
Picfciicd licalmcnl oplions (and wly}.
Implementation plan
STOP
If the risk is associated with live electrical work, review and conrm the necessity to work live.
Refer to risk matrix for live work*
Treatment
option
Associated
activities
Resources
required
Person(s)
responsible
Proposed
implementation
date
Sign off and
date
Scheduled
review date
Review
Aic iisk licalmcnl mcasuics in placc?
- Ycs
- No, commcnl (wly nol?}.
Aic iisk licalmcnl mcasuics picvcnling oi minimising llc iisk?
- Ycs
- No, commcnl (wly nol?}.
Aic llcic any ncw pioblcms will llc iisk?
- No
- Ycs, commcnl (wlal aic llcy?}.
Rcfci lo Flccliical Safcly Codc of Piaclicc 2010 Risk Managcmcnl - Pail
63
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69
Appendix B: Glossary of terms used in this Code
A dangerous electrical event (scc scclion 12 of llc Acl} is any of llc following.
- 1lc coming inlo cxislcncc of ciicumslanccs in wlicl a pcison is nol
clccliically safc, if.
- llc ciicumslanccs involvc ligl vollagc clccliical cquipmcnl, and
- dcspilc llc coming inlo cxislcncc of llc ciicumslanccs, llc pcison docs
nol icccivc a slock oi injuiy.
- 1lc coming inlo cxislcncc of boll llc following ciicumslanccs.
- if a pcison lad bccn al a pailiculai placc al a pailiculai limc, llc pcison
would nol lavc bccn clccliically safc, and
- llc pcison would nol lavc bccn clccliically safc bccausc of ciicumslanccs
involving ligl vollagc clccliical cquipmcnl.
- An cvcnl llal involvcs clccliical cquipmcnl and in wlicl significanl piopcily
damagc is causcd diicclly by clccliicily oi oiiginalcs fiom clccliicily.
- 1lc pcifoimancc of clccliical woik by a pcison nol aulloiiscd undci an
clccliical woik liccncc lo pcifoim llc woik.
- 1lc pcifoimancc of clccliical woik by a pcison if, as a icsull of llc
pcifoimancc of llc woik, a pcison oi piopcily is nol clccliically safc.
Examples for the above paragraph:
- 1lc conncclion of clccliical cquipmcnl lo a souicc of supply involving
incoiiccl polaiily oi ollci incoiiccl conncclion.
- 1lc pcifoimancc of clccliical woik as a icsull of wlicl an cxposcd wiic is lcfl
in ciicumslanccs in wlicl il can bc cncigiscd by llc opcialion of a swilcl oi
ciicuil bicakci oi llc inscilion of a fusc.
- 1lc discovciy by a liccnscd clccliical woikci of clccliical cquipmcnl llal las
nol bccn maikcd as icquiicd undci llis Acl.
De-energise mcans llc pioccss of disconnccling lincs oi appaialus fiom all
souiccs of clccliical cncigy usually by llc pioccss of swilcling. Pc-cncigiscd docs
nol mcan isolalcd oi disclaigcd, oi boll.
Electrical installation (scc scclion 1 of llc Acl} is a gioup of ilcms of clccliical
cquipmcnl. Eowcvci, a gioup of ilcms of clccliical cquipmcnl is an clccliical
inslallalion only if.
70
(a} all llc ilcms aic pcimancnlly clccliically conncclcd logcllci,
(b} llc ilcms do nol includc ilcms llal aic woiks of an clccliicily cnlily, and
(c} clccliicily can bc supplicd lo llc gioup fiom llc woiks of an clccliicily cnlily
oi fiom a gcncialing souicc.
An ilcm of clccliical cquipmcnl can bc pail of moic llan onc clccliical
inslallalion.
Foi an clccliical inslallalion wlcic all llc ilcms aic pcimancnlly clccliically
conncclcd logcllci.
(a} an ilcm of clccliical cquipmcnl conncclcd lo clccliicily by a plug and sockcl
oullcl is nol pcimancnlly clccliically conncclcd, and
(b} conncclion aclicvcd lliougl using woiks of an clccliicily cnlily musl nol bc
lakcn inlo considcialion foi dcciding wlcllci ilcms of clccliical cquipmcnl
aic clccliically conncclcd.
Examples of an electrical installation:
- 1lc swilclboaid, wiiing, liglling, sockcl oullcls and ollci clccliical
cquipmcnl pcimancnlly conncclcd foi a lousc oi icsidcnlial unil.
- 1lc swilclboaid, wiiing, liglling, sockcl oullcls and ollci clccliical
cquipmcnl pcimancnlly conncclcd foi a slopping ccnlic. 1lc clccliical
inslallalion foi llc slopping ccnlic gcncially includcs llc clccliical
inslallalions foi llc individual slops.
- 1lc swilclboaid, wiiing, liglling, sockcl oullcls and ollci clccliical
cquipmcnl pcimancnlly conncclcd foi a icsidcnlial unil complcx. 1lc
clccliical inslallalion foi llc icsidcnlial unil complcx gcncially includcs llc
clccliical inslallalions foi llc individual icsidcnlial unils.
- 1lc swilclboaid, wiiing, liglling, sockcl oullcls and ollci clccliical
cquipmcnl pcimancnlly conncclcd willin a caiavan.
Electrical risk (scc scclion 10(1} of llc Acl} mcans llc iisk lo a pcison of dcall,
slock oi injuiy causcd diicclly by clccliicily oi oiiginaling fiom clccliicily. ll also
includcs llc iisk lo piopcily of damagc causcd by a callodic piolcclion syslcm oi
loss oi damagc causcd diicclly by clccliicily oi oiiginaling fiom clccliicily.
Electrical safety (scc scclion 10(2} of llc Acl}, foi a pcison oi piopcily, mcans llc
pcison oi piopcily is clccliically safc.
71
Electrically safe (scc scclion 10(2} of llc Acl} mcans.
- foi a pcison oi piopcily, llal llc pcison oi piopcily is ficc fiom clccliical
iisk,
- foi clccliical cquipmcnl oi an clccliical inslallalion, llal all pcisons and
piopcily aic ficc fiom clccliical iisk fiom llc cquipmcnl oi inslallalion,
- foi llc way clccliical cquipmcnl, an clccliical inslallalion oi llc woiks of an
clccliicily cnlily aic opcialcd oi uscd, llal all pcisons and piopcily aic ficc
fiom clccliical iisk fiom llc opcialion oi usc of llc cquipmcnl, inslallalion oi
woiks,
- foi llc way clccliical woik is pcifoimcd, llal all pcisons aic ficc fiom
clccliical iisk fiom llc pcifoimancc of llc woik,
- foi llc way a busincss oi undcilaking is conduclcd, llal all pcisons aic ficc
fiom clccliical iisk fiom llc conducl of llc busincss oi undcilaking, and
- foi llc way clccliical cquipmcnl oi an clccliical inslallalion is inslallcd oi
icpaiicd, llal all pcisons aic ficc fiom clccliical iisk fiom llc inslalling oi
icpaiiing of llc cquipmcnl oi inslallalion.
Free from electrical risk (scc scclion 10(4} of llc Acl}, foi a pcison oi piopcily,
mcans llal llc clccliical iisk lo llc pcison oi piopcily is as low as icasonably
aclicvablc, laving icgaid lo.
- likclilood of laim, and
- likcly scvciily of laim.
Live work (scc sclcdulc 0 of llc Rcgulalion} mcans clccliical woik pcifoimcd
in ciicumslanccs in wlicl llc pail of llc clccliical cquipmcnl llc subjccl of llc
clccliical woik is cncigiscd.
Plant (scc sclcdulc 2 of llc WES Acl} includcs.
- maclinciy, cquipmcnl, appliancc, picssuic vcsscl, implcmcnl and lool,
- pcisonal piolcclivc cquipmcnl,
- a componcnl of planl and a filling, conncclion, acccssoiy oi adjuncl lo planl,
and
- spccificd ligl iisk planl7 (unlcss ollciwisc slalcd}.
7 Rcfci Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 sclcdulc 2.
72
Regular or scheduled intervals: 1lc WES Acl picsciibcs llal if a woikplacc las
a WES0, llcy musl asscss llc iisks in llc woikplacc al lcasl cvciy 12 monlls.
1lcicfoic, foi llc puiposcs of llis codc, a icgulai inlcival is any pciiod of limc
nol moic llan 12 monlls.
Risk: Risk is llc likclilood and conscqucncc of injuiy oi laim occuiiing.
Risk assessment: 1lc pioccss of idcnlifying, analysing and cvalualing a iisk, foi
llc puiposcs of piioiilising and laking aclion lo lical llc iisk. Asscssing a iisk
involvcs considciing llc likclilood of laim aiising fiom an clccliical iisk and llc
scvciily of llc conscqucnccs llal could icsull. 1lis pioccss may also bc known as
iisk piofiling.
Risk identification and evaluation systems includc.
- woikplacc inspcclions, wlcic clccliical iisks can bc obscivcd oi infciicd fiom
obscivalions al llc woikplacc,
- safcly louis, wlicl can bc cillci syslcmalic oi ad loc walk-lliougl suivcys
of a woikplacc,
- 1ob Safcly Analysis (1SA}, wlicl is a scmi-foimal iisk analysis, dciivcd fiom
woik-sludy lcclniqucs. ll uscs a lask analysis lo idcnlify accidcnl polcnlial
willin a job,
- piobabilislic iisk asscssmcnls llal ulilisc faull licc analysis, failuic modc and
cffccls analysis and cvcnl licc analysis, llcsc syslcms aic moslly uscd in iisk
icduclion piogiams, and
- Managcmcnl 0vcisigll and Risk 1icc (M0R1}, wlicl uscs a logic licc lo
analysc oiiginal funclions icquiicd in llc safc managcmcnl of ligl iisk
lcclnologics, llis can also bc uscd duiing accidcnl invcsligalion and safcly
audils.
Serious electrical incident is an incidcnl involving clccliical cquipmcnl if, in llc
incidcnl.
(a} a pcison is killcd by clccliicily,
(b} a pcison icccivcs a slock oi injuiy fiom clccliicily, and is licalcd by oi undci
llc supcivision of a docloi, oi
(c} a pcison icccivcs a slock oi injuiy fiom clccliicily al ligl vollagc,
wlcllci oi nol llc pcison is licalcd foi llc slock oi injuiy by oi undci llc
supcivision of a docloi.
73
The Act mcans llc Electrical Safety Act 2002.
The Regulation mcans llc Electrical Safety Regulation 2002.
The WHS Act mcans llc Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.
WHSO: Woikplacc Ecalll and Safcly 0fficci, as picsciibcd undci llc Workplace
Health and Safety Act 1995.
WHSR: Woikplacc Ecalll and Safcly Rcpicscnlalivc, as picsciibcd undci llc
Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.
74
Appendix C: List of Electrical Safety Codes of
Practice
- E|cci|ca| Equ|mcni Rua| Indusi, 2010
- E|cci|ca| Wo| 2010
- Wo||nq Nca Exoscd L|vc Pais 2010
- Wo|s (oicci|vc caih|nq, undcqound cab|c s,sicms and ma|nicnancc o[
supporting structures for powerlines) 2010
JAG 09/3198
Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010
Risk Management
Department of Justice and Attorney-General
Electrical Safety Ofce Queensland
Electrical Safety Ofce Queensland
Telephone 1300 650 662
Website [Link]