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Home > Electrical Safety > Law and penalties > Code - Working Near Exposed Live Parts

Code – Working Near Exposed Live Parts

Working Near Exposed Live Parts Code of Practice ( 629K KB)

Summary of major changes

As a result of the release, in November 2009, by Standards Australia of a new standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management – Principles and Guidelines all references to ‘hazards’ and to ‘controlling risks’ have been changed to ‘risks’ and ‘treatment of risk’.

Part / Section of new Code

Changes made

Section 1.2 Legislative Framework

New introductory section taken in part from the Act (purpose).  This addition provides a consistent introduction in all the electrical safety codes of practice.  
Parts 2 and 3 - repealed contain sections taken from the Act and the Regulation. This material has been removed and replaced by Appendices D and E which contain lists of references to legislation referred to in the text of the code. Other Parts have been renumbered where necessary. 

Part 2 Risk Management

Re-written for clarity and consistency with the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2009 – Risk Management.

  • New section added on Instruction, Training and Supervision, setting down the requirement under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.

Part 3 Exclusion Zones

New Part Exclusion zones clearly defined and a simple guide to exclusion zones set down.

Part 4.  Operating cranes and plant near overhead electric lines
4.2  Risk management process

Part 5.  Work near low voltage overhead electric lines near buildings and structures.
Section 5.3 Risk management process

Part 6. Clearing vegetation near overhead electric lines.
6.4 Risk management

Part 7.  Agricultural work near overhead electric lines.
7.3 Risk management process

Part 9. Installation, maintenance or repair of electrical equipment.
9.2 Risk management

Part 10. Work near electrical hazards in buildings and near underground electrical services.
10.2 Risk management

 

Under Part 4.3.2, new material added to the functions of a safety observer. They should warn the plant operator of the approach to electrical apparatus; they should be able to stop the operation of the operating plant & for risk management purposes, working near exposed live parts may be the equivalent of live work for risk assessment purposes. 

Each of these Parts amended as follows:

  • Revised in line with the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2009 Risk Management. Provided specific risk management advice vs general advice in Part 2 of the code.
  • Added material on de-energising of live lines, construction of physical barriers and of use of ‘tiger tails’ as control measures.
  • New material added on Implementing, controlling, monitoring and reviewing control measure.

Appendix A.   Meaning of terms use in the code.

New definitions and relevant legislative references added

Appendix B.  Exclusion zones

No changes.

Appendix C.  Case studies

Material to show risk management process practical advice of this code.

Appendix D. The Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Appendix E. The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002

Provides a list of sections referenced in the code. Detailed information is available in the relevant sections of the Act and the Regulation. 

Last updated January 11, 2010