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Home > Electrical Safety > Law and penalties > Code of Practice for Electrical Work > 3. The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002. > 3.1 Part 2 – Electrical work

3.1 Part 2 – Electrical work

3.1.1 Division 1 – Preliminary
3.1.2 Division 2 – Basic requirements for electrical work
3.1.3 Division 4 – Testing of work
3.1.4 Division 5 – Requirements applying to employers and self-employed persons
3.1.5 Division 6 – Other requirements
3.1.6 Division 7 – Documents about electrical work
3.1.7 Division 8 – General provisions

3.1.1 Division 1 – Preliminary

Section 8 – Purpose of divs 2 to 5

Divisions 2 to 5 each prescribe a way of discharging the electrical safety obligation of an employer or self-employed person to ensure the person’s business or undertaking is conducted in a way that is electrically safe.

3.1.2 Division 2 – Basic requirements for electrical work

Section 9 – Definition for div 2

In this division –

"electrical work" does not include high voltage live line work.

Section 10 – Application of div 2

This division applies to the performance of electrical work for the purposes of the business or undertaking of an employer or self-employed person.

Section 11 – Requirements for electrical work

  1. An employer or self-employed person must ensure that, unless the circumstances required under this division for the performance of live work apply, live work is not performed.

    Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

  2. Without limiting what the employer or self-employed person must do to ensure compliance with subsection (1), the employer or self-employed person must ensure that:
    1. each exposed part is treated as if it is energised until it is isolated and proved not to be energised; and
    2. each high voltage exposed part is earthed.

Section 12 – Requirements for performance of live work

  1. The following circumstances are required for the performance of live work:
    1. it is not practicable to perform the electrical work other than by live work because of 1 or more of the following:
      • it is necessary in the interests of safety, whether or not electrical safety, for the work to be performed while the electrical equipment the subject of the electrical work is energised;

        Example for subparagraph (i) -
        It may be necessary in the interests of road safety for a set of traffic lights to remain operating while electrical work is performed on the lights.

      • a supply of electricity is necessary for the proper performance of the electrical work;
      • there is no reasonable alternative to performing the electrical work by live work;

        Example for subparagraph (iii) -
        It may be necessary, to avoid widespread outages, to perform electrical work on works of an electricity entity by live work.

    2. the employer or self-employed person has prepared a written risk assessment of the performance of the live work;
    3. the employer or self-employed person authorises the performance of the live work only after consultation with the person in control of the electrical equipment the subject of the electrical work;
    4. the person who performs the live work has appropriate qualifications and training for the performance of the live work;
    5. testing equipment appropriate to the performance of the live work has been given to the person performing the electrical work, the testing equipment has been properly maintained, and the person performing the electrical work makes proper use of the testing equipment in performing the work;
    6. clothing and personal protective equipment appropriate to the performance of the live work has been given to the person performing the electrical work and the person performing the electrical work makes proper use of the clothing and equipment in performing the work;
    7. the isolation point of the electricity supply for the electrical equipment the subject of the electrical work has been clearly identified and, except for electric line work, is able to be reached quickly without the need to climb over or shift obstructions;
    8. the area where the electrical work is performed is clear of obstructions to the extent necessary for easy access to and from the area;
    9. there is a safety observer observing the performance of the electrical work, unless the work involves testing electrical equipment; and
    10. the performance of the electrical work is in accordance with a safe system of work.

      Example of what a safe system of work could include for paragraph (j) -
      A safe system could include preventing persons from accessing the area where live work is being performed if the persons are not needed for the performance of the work.

  2. In this section:

    "safe system of work", for live work on a low voltage electrical installation, includes, but is not limited to, a system of work that complies with the provisions of AS/NZS 4836(non-Queensland Government link) (Safe working on low voltage electrical installations) about ensuring the safety of persons while performing live work.

    "safety observer", in relation to the observing of the performance of electrical work, means a person:
    1. who is competent to help with the electrical work;
    2. who is competent to rescue the person per forming the electrical work and to provide resuscitation; and
    3. whose competence for paragraph (b) has been assessed in the last 6 months.

3.1.3 Division 4 – Testing of work

Section 14 – Testing of electrical equipment after electrical work

  1. This section applies if electrical work is performed on electrical equipment.
  2. A person who performs part or all of the electrical work, and is responsible for bringing the electrical equipment to a state of readiness for connection to a source of electricity for use for its intended purpose, must ensure the electrical equipment is tested, as required under subsections (5) and (6).

    Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

  3. A licensed electrical contractor or electricity entity who performs the electrical work of connecting the electrical equipment to a source of electricity is tested as required under subsections (5) and (6).

    Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

  4. Subsection (3) does not require a distribution entity to ensure the testing of the electrical equipment if:
    1. the electrical work is, or is part of, electrical work performed on an electrical installation; and
    2. a licensed electrical contractor has given the distribution entity a certificate under section 1588 about the testing of the electrical work performed on the electrical installation. Section 158 (Certificate by licensed electrical contractor of test)
  5. The testing of the electrical equipment must be directed at ensuring that the electrical equipment, to the extent it is affected by the electrical work, is electrically safe.
  6. If the electrical equipment is energised for testing, the person who performs the test must ensure persons not necessary for the testing are electrically safe.

Section 15 – Certificate of testing and safety

  1. This section applies if a licensed electrical contractor performs electrical work that must be tested under this division.
  2. The contractor must, as soon as practicable after the testing, ensure that the person for whom the electrical work was performed is given a certificate complying with this section. Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.
  3. The certificate must state the following:
    1. the name and address of the person for whom the work was performed;
    2. the electrical equipment tested;
    3. the day the electrical equipment was tested;
    4. the number of the electrical contractor licence under which the electrical equipment was tested.
  4. The certificate must certify that the electrical equipment, to the extent it is affected by the electrical work, is electrically safe.
  5. A licensed electrical contractor must keep a copy of a certificate given under this section for at least 5 years after the certificate is given. Maximum penalty for subsection (5) – 20 penalty units.

3.1.4 Division 5 – Requirements applying to employers and self-employed persons

Section 16 – Application of div 5

This division applies to the performance of electrical work for the purposes of the business or undertaking of an employer or self-employed person.

Section 17 – Testing and maintenance of safety equipment

  1. An employer or self-employed person must ensure that -
    1. safety equipment is used in the performance of electrical work; and
    2. the safety equipment is -
      • a suitable type for the electrical work being performed; and
      • maintained so that it is suitable for use in the electrical work being performed; and
      • if it is safety equipment that can not be visually confirmed as being correctly functioning and safe-tested at least every 6 months to ensure it provides the protection it is intended to provide; and
      • labelled to state the day on or before which it is next due for testing; and
      • in good repair and condition.

        Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

  2. The employer or self-employed person must keep records of the tests performed under subsection (1)(b)(iii) for at least 5 years.

    Maximum penalty for subsection (2) – 20 penalty units.

Section 18 – Employer or self-employed person to ensure suitability of testing instruments

  1. This section applies to the following -
    1. an employer of a person required to perform tests on electrical work or safety equipment; and
    2. a self-employed person required to perform tests on electrical work or safety equipment.
  2. The employer or self-employed person must ensure:
    1. the test instruments used for the testing are designed for, and capable of correctly performing, the required tests; and
    2. if a testing instrument can not be visually confirmed as being correctly functioning and safe-that the instrument is tested at least every 6 months to ensure it is in proper working order; and
    3. records of tests performed are kept for at least 5 years.

      Maximum penalty for subsection (2) – 40 penalty units.

3.1.5 Division 6 – Other requirements

Section 19 – Electrical equipment with serious defect not to be connected to electricity source

If an item of electrical equipment has a serious defect, a licensed electrical worker must not connect the equipment to a source of electricity for use for its intended purpose.

Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

Section 20 – Signs on switches and disconnection points

  1. This section applies if:
    1. a licensed electrical worker is performing electrical work; and
    2. to perform the work, the worker has de-energised, or otherwise isolated from electricity, an item of electrical equipment that is the subject of the electrical work or that is near where the electrical work is being performed; and
    3. to de-energise, or otherwise isolate, the item of electrical equipment, the licensed electrical worker has operated a device; and
    4. while the worker is performing the work, the worker does not have the device under the worker’s sole effective control.
  2. The licensed electrical worker must ensure that there is attached to the device, in a prominent position, a warning sign that is suitable in the circumstances, having regard to AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment (non-Queensland Government link) .

    Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

  3. The electrical worker must also ensure that:
    1. the device, when in the open position, is locked; or

      Examples for paragraph (a) -
      • Using a personal lock to lock an air conditioner isolator in the open position
      • Using a locking device that stops a miniature circuit breaker from being closed
      • Placing a lockable shroud on the male inlet plug of electrical equipment
    2. other precautions are taken to stop the device being accidentally closed.

      Examples for paragraph (b) -
      • Disengaging a circuit breaker so that the circuit breaker is separated from the busbars
      • Removing circuit cables from the fuse or circuit breaker
      • Insertion of a mechanical restriction.

        Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units

  4. If the electrical work is being performed for the purposes of the business or undertaking of an employer or self-employed person, the employer or self-employed person must ensure that:
    1. the licensed electrical worker has all the signs and equipment necessary for the worker to comply with subsections (2) and (3); and
    2. the signs and equipment are used in the way required under the subsections.

      Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

  5. In this section – "device" means a circuit-breaker, disconnection point, fuse or switch.

Section 21 – Rescue and resuscitation training

An employer must ensure workers who are required to perform, or help in performing, electrical work are competent in rescue and resuscitation in accordance with recognised practices in the electricity industry.

Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

3.1.6 Division 7 – Documents about electrical work

Section 22 – Application of div 7

This division applies to the performance of electrical work as part of the business or undertaking of a licensed electrical contractor.

Section 23 – Who may sign documents about electrical work

A person must not sign a document required under the Act, or by an electricity entity, about the performance of electrical work unless the person is –

  1. if the electrical work was per formed as part of the business or undertaking of a licensed electrical contractor who is an individual – the individual; or
  2. if the electrical work was per formed as part of the business or undertaking of a licensed electrical contractor that is a partnership – a qualified person for the partnership; or
  3. if the electrical work was per formed as part of the business or undertaking of a licensed electrical contractor that is a corporation or other entity – a qualified person for the corporation or other entity.

    Maximum penalty – 20 penalty units.

3.1.7 Division 8 – General provisions

Section 24 – Misrepresentations about electrical equipment or work

  1. A person must not, in trade or commerce, represent that someone who is not a licensed electrical worker may lawfully:
    1. connect to a source of electricity an item of electrical equipment that may only be connected to a source of electricity by a licensed electrical worker; or
    2. do electrical work that may only be done by a licensed electrical worker.

      Maximum penalty – 40 penalty units.

  2. An employer must take all reasonable steps to ensure the employer’s workers do not contravene subsection (1).

    Maximum penalty for subsection (2) – 40 penalty units.

A penalty unit has a dollar value determined by the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General. At the date of publication, the value of a penalty unit was $100. Under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, if a corporation is found guilty of an offence, the Court may impose a maximum fine of an amount equal to 5 times the maximum fine for an individual.

Last updated July 16, 2009