Energised electrical parts

The first step is to identify the risks. This means finding all the relevant things and situations that may contribute to an incident. Think about what could go wrong and consider the consequences.

Inspect the worksite

Look at:

• the type of equipment and work to be done
• the age of the equipment and electrical installation
• whether it is reasonably practicable to turn off the power (or whether the equipment needs to remain energised)
• proximity of the work to energised parts or other energised equipment
• the tools and equipment used to do the work, particularly their conductive properties
• environmental conditions, such as confined space, wet surfaces or unfavourable weather
• work that may impose additional risks, for example, welding or grinding that could damage adjacent electrical lines or equipment.

Talk to workers

Talk to others about the possible hazards. This includes workers who are always on site as well as those who are part of the electrical work crew.

Review information already available

You can review information such as regulations, codes of practice and standards related to electrical work in general.

Look for trends in information already available, such as workplace records, reports, worker complaints and injury compensation claims.

You can also find out about possible risks from regulators, industry associations, unions and safety consultants, or designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers.

Once you identify possible risks, make a risk assessment and decide:

• if there is a risk to you or others
• how severe a risk is
• how likely the hazard is to cause harm
• whether any effective control measures are already in place
• what actions you could take to control the risk
• how urgently you should act.

You can use this risk assessment template (DOCX, 0.02 MB) to guide you and record your assessments.

Once you’ve identified possible risks, put control measures in place. The best way to control risk is to remove the hazard completely. If that’s not possible, you must reduce the risk as much as possible.

You can do this by:

• de-energising the installation or part
• using appropriate lock-out and tag-out procedures at the circuit breaker or isolator
• putting physical control measures in place such as insulation and guarding
• using appropriate signage
• re-testing the circuit is de-energised before staring work
• only allowing a competent, experienced and licensed person to undertake the work
• ensuring appropriate PPE is worn.

Find the hierarchy of controls in How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.65 MB) or use the Managing electrical risks in the workplace code of practice 2021 (PDF, 1.25 MB)

When working near overhead or underground powerlines, there will be different specific hazards, so use Electrical safety code of practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines (PDF, 0.47 MB).

Risk management is an ongoing process. You should check regularly to make sure the control measures are working. If you find problems, go through the steps again, review the information and decide whether you need new controls.

Under work health and safety laws you must review controls:

• when you become aware that a control measure is not working effectively
• before a change that might create a new risk
• when you find a new hazard or risk
• when your workers tell you that a review is needed
• after a health and safety representative requests a review.