De-energised electrical equipment
Electrical work must not be carried out on electrical equipment when it is energised.
The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 outlines specific requirements for electrical work including:
- a duty to determine whether equipment is energised
- de-energised equipment must not be inadvertently re-energised while work's being carried out on it
- when electrical work on energised electrical equipment is permitted
- preliminary steps including risk assessment
- preventing unauthorised access to equipment when it is being worked on
- contact with equipment whilst being worked on
- how work is to be carried out
- record keeping requirements
Only electrical work carried out by, or on behalf of, an electricity supply authority on electrical equipment is permitted by the WHS Regulation, including line associated equipment, controlled or operated by the authority to generate, transform, transmit or supply electricity.
These authorities are covered by separate electrical safety regulations.
Further information
The managing electrical risks at the workplace code of practice (PDF, 1337.36 KB) provides more information on inspection and testing of electrical equipment.