Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407:body:0:p34
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 89097–91926

including watches and watchbands should not be worn by workers carrying out work near exposed energised parts. Metal objects worn on or close to the body increase the risk of electric shock. Additionally, electrical burns can be more serious because these objects retain heat and provide contact points for current to flow.
Examples of metallic personal items include jewellery, body piercings and metal spectacle frames.

Tools and equipment
All workers should be competent in the safe use of their tools and equipment (including PPE). For more information about maintaining and inspecting tools and equipment, including testing and fault finding instruments, see Section 9 of this Code.

Work position
Electrical work should be carried out from a position that minimises the risk of inadvertent contact with exposed energised parts and also the risk of an electric shock path being created. For example, safe work method statements should require, so far as is reasonably practicable, that electrical workers position themselves so that:
    * an involuntary action like sneezing would not cause them to touch exposed energised parts
    * no electric shock path can be created due to working in an awkward position, for example testing components towards the rear of a washing machine via the front panel
    * no electric shock path can be created when carrying out phase sequencing or rotation testing on overhead mains or at an underground pillar.

Safety observers
A competent safety observer must be present when work is carried out on energised electrical equipment, unless the work consists only of testing and a risk assessment shows that there is
no serious risk associated with the proposed work.
The role of the safety observer should be clearly communicated and understood. The safety observer must:
    * be competent to implement the control measures in an emergency
    * be competent to rescue the worker who is carrying out the work if necessary, and must have been assessed in the previous 12 months as competent to rescue and resuscitate
      a person.
The safety observer should:
    * not carry out any other work or function that compromises their role, for example they should not be required to observe more than one task at a time
    * not be situated in the work basket of the elevating work platform from which the electrical work is being carried out
    * be able to communicate quickly and effectively with the electrical worker(s) carrying out
      the work. Specialist equipment may be necessary if there is a barrier to communication
    * not have any known temporary or permanent disabilities that would adversely affect their role and performance.

Safety barriers and signs
Barriers and signs may be designed, erected or installed to:
    * protect electrical workers from inadvertently