12 ways to manage electrical risks in your workplace
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12 ways to manage electrical risks in your workplace
With the rising number of electrical safety incidents across Australia, it's crucial for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to remain vigilant and ensure electrical risks are eliminated as much as reasonably practicable. Here are some key strategies:
- Engage Qualified Professionals: Ensure that only appropriately licensed or registered electricians carry out electrical work.
- Use Safe Electrical Equipment: Provide safe and suitable electrical equipment. Avoid using leads and tools in damp or wet conditions unless they are specially designed for those environments.
- Inspect Equipment Regularly: Check leads for damage before each use and remove any damaged leads from the workplace immediately.
- Provide Adequate Socket Outlets: Avoid overloading socket outlets by using adaptors, as this can cause fires. Ensure enough outlets are available.
- Use Proper Circuit Protection: Protect power circuits with the appropriate rated fuse or circuit breaker to prevent overloading.
- Avoid Increasing Fuse Ratings: If a circuit keeps overloading, do not increase the fuse rating. This can create a fire risk due to overheating.
- Opt for Battery-Powered Tools: Where possible, use battery-powered tools instead of mains-operated ones.
- Protect Electrical Leads: Arrange electrical leads to avoid damage. Do not run leads across floors or grounds, through doorways, or over sharp edges. Use lead stands or insulated cable hangers to keep leads off the ground, and use cable protection ramps or covers when necessary.
- Utilise Residual Current Devices (RCDs): Use RCDs (safety switches) to protect workers using portable equipment, as required by the Work Health and Safety Regulation.
- Investigate Electrical Interruptions: Determine the cause of any RCD, circuit breaker, or other overcurrent protective device disconnections before switching the electricity back on.
- Regularly Test RCDs: Ensure the effectiveness of RCDs through regular testing.
- Conduct Preventative Maintenance: Implement an appropriate system of visual inspections and, where necessary, testing to carry out preventative maintenance on electrical equipment.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a safer workplace and reduce the risk of electrical incidents.