Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407:body:0:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 18922–21878

outdoors or in a factory or workshop environment
    * electrical equipment being used in an area in which the atmosphere presents a risk to health and safety from fire or explosion, for example confined spaces
    * type of electrical equipment. For example, 'plug in' electrical equipment that may be moved around from site to site, including extension leads, are particularly liable to damage
    * the age of electrical equipment and electrical installations
    * work carried out on or near electrical equipment or electrical installations, including electric overhead lines or underground electric services, for example work carried out in a confined space connected to plant or services.
Exposure to high electromagnetic fields may also present a potential hazard for workers with some medical conditions, for example pace makers. You must inform workers and other persons at the workplace of any potential electromagnetic hazards at the workplace that may affect a medical condition. You must also manage risks to health and safety arising out of electromagnetic hazards, including eliminating the risk so far as is reasonably practicable. If that is not reasonably practicable you must minimise the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
Potential electrical hazards may be identified in a number of different ways including:
    * talking to workers and observing where and how electrical equipment is used
    * regularly inspecting and testing electrical equipment and electrical installations as appropriate
    * reading product labels and manufacturers' instruction manuals
    * talking to manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations, and health and safety specialists
    * reviewing incident reports.

2.2              Assess the risks
Risk assessment involves considering what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard (consequence) and the likelihood of it happening.
For work on energised electrical equipment, the WHS Regulations require that a risk assessment be prepared in writing by a competent person; for more information see Part B of this Code.
A risk assessment can help determine:
    * the severity of an electrical risk
    * whether existing control measures are effective
    * what action you should take to control an electrical risk
    * how urgently the action needs to be taken.
To assess the risk associated with electrical hazards consider:
    * What is the potential impact of the hazard?
       * How severe could the electrical hazard be? For example, direct contact causing electrocution, fire or explosion causing serious burns or death.
       * How many people are exposed to the hazard?
    * How likely is the hazard to cause harm?
       * Could it happen at any time or would it be a rare event?
       * How frequently are workers exposed to the hazard?
Other factors that may affect consequence and likelihood include:
    * the conditions under which the electrical equipment is used,