Hazard Guidelines

Electrical Safety

• Overview
• Guidelines
• Contact
• Resources

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Overview

Electricity is potentially very hazardous if proper care is not taken. In addition to posing a direct risk of fatality and serious injury, it can serve as a trigger for a chain reaction of events leading to more injuries and deaths.

All items of electrical equipment at UTS should be assessed for the degree of risk they present and control measures put in place to manage that risk.

Clause 64 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 states that:

"An employer must ensure that...all electrical installations, electrical articles and associated equipment at a place of work are safe to use and are regularly inspected, tested and maintained to ensure they remain safe for use and are repaired or replaced if unsafe...".

Plug-in equipment may require regular inspection and testing. This includes electrical appliances, extension leads and power boards (EPODs).

Items must be tagged to show when they were inspected and by whom. Failed items must be tagged as unsafe and removed from service.

Residual current devices (RCDs) should also be tested regularly.

Only a "competent person" should perform any testing and inspection of electrical equipment. A "competent person" is someone who has been trained to use the Portable Appliance Tester or a licensed electrician.

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Guidelines

Faculty & Unit Test/Inspection Protocols

Different faculties and units within the University have different test/inspection protocols based on the level of risk and needs of that area. Protocols are outcomes of risk assessments based on Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3760:2003 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

Some items require regular 6 or 12 monthly inspection (e.g. extension leads, portable equipment and equipment in a hostile operating environment). Some items require less frequent inspection or just formal visual inspection (e.g. equipment rarely moved or NOT in a hostile operating environment). Some items may not require testing or inspection at all (e.g. fixed equipment, office equipment and equipment that is never moved).

Electrical Equipment Risk Assessment & Inspection Record Template (MS Word, 45 Kb)

Examples of Faculty & Unit Test/Inspection Protocols:

• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• University Library
• Information Technology Division
• Human Resources Unit

Please note that the above links are accessible only by UTS staff and students.

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Definition of "Hostile Operating Environment"

According to the OHS Regulation, the term hostile operating environment is defined as one where the electrical item is likely to be damaged under normal operating conditions. This includes an environment that may:

"(a) cause mechanical damage to the article, or (b)expose the article to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive substances or dust that is likely to result in damage to the article."

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General Safety Precautions

• Use the correct appliance for the specific task
• Ensure that electrical appliances are dry and clean
• Do not use general purpose electrical appliances when wet or in wet areas without suitable safety switches (always push-button test the residual current device before each use)
• Keep loose cables off the floor
• Do not withdraw a plug from a socket by pulling the cable
• Do not attempt to replace faulty lamps in light fittings - contact Building Services for assistance
• Do not connect power boards to electrical outlets - if you require extra power outlets, contact Building Services

Extension Cables

• Extension cables should only be used as temporary tool
• Avoid the use of extension cables along walkways and corridors
• Safety switches should always be used with extension cables

Electric Heaters

• Electric bar heaters should not be used - fan heaters with thermostats and timers are recommended
• Heaters are not to be used in air conditioned spaces

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Contact

Electric power is the responsibility of the Building Services Branch of the Facilities Management Unit. If you are concerned about the use of electrical equipment or electrical safety in your workplace, contact Building Services. In the case of an emergency, dial '6'.

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Resources