Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS 2011 - REG 158

  (1)   A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure the following before electrical work on energised electrical equipment commences:

  (a)   a risk assessment is conducted in relation to the proposed electrical work;

  (b)   the area where the electrical work is to be carried out is clear of obstructions so as to allow for easy access and exit;

  (c)   the point at which the electrical equipment can be disconnected or isolated from its electricity supply is:

  (i)   clearly marked or labelled; and

  (ii)   clear of obstructions so as to allow for easy access and exit by the worker who is to carry out the electrical work or any other competent person; and

  (iii)   capable of being operated quickly;

  (d)   the person authorises the electrical work after consulting with the person with management or control of the workplace.

Penalty:

  (a)   In the case of an individual--$6   000.

  (b)   In the case of a body corporate--$30   000.

Note:   Section   12F of the Act provides that strict liability applies to each physical element of each offence under the Act, unless otherwise stated. The reference in section   12F of the Act includes these Regulations.

  (2)   For paragraph   (1)(a), the risk assessment must be:

  (a)   conducted by a competent person; and

  (b)   recorded.

Note:   Regulation   12 permits risk assessments to be conducted, in certain circumstances, in relation to a class of hazards, tasks, things or circumstances.

  (3)   Paragraph   (1)(c) does not apply to electrical work on electrical equipment if:

  (a)   the work is to be carried out on the supply side of the main switch on the main switchboard for the equipment; and

  (b)   the point at which the equipment can be disconnected from its electricity supply is not reasonably accessible from the work location.