Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407:body:0:p17
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 43331–46327

off electricity supply if a person contacts both active and neutral conductors while handling faulty plugs or electrical equipment and electricity flows through the person's body, unless there is also a current flow to earth.

When RCDs must be provided for use in workplaces

Regulation 164 A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any electrical risk associated with the supply of electricity to 'plug in' electrical equipment is minimised by the use of an appropriate RCD in certain higher-risk workplaces.
The following requirement only applies if it is reasonably practicable to provide an RCD in the higher risk workplaces:
    * If electricity is supplied to the equipment requiring an RCD through a socket outlet not exceeding 20 amps the RCD must have a tripping current that does not exceed 30 milliamps.
This does not apply if the supply of electricity to the electrical equipment:
    * does not exceed 50 volts alternating current, or
    * is direct current, or
    * is provided through an isolating transformer that provides at least an equivalent level of protection, or
    * is provided from a non-earthed socket outlet supplied by an isolated winding portable generator that provides at least an equivalent level of protection.
Construction and demolition sites
You must comply with AS/NZS 3012:2010 in relation to RCD requirements for construction and demolition sites.
RCD requirements only apply in relation to workplaces where electrical equipment supplied with electricity through a socket outlet (plug-in electrical equipment) is used or may be used in certain higher-risk workplaces. These are workplaces with operating conditions where:
    * the normal use of electrical equipment exposes the equipment to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected life span, including conditions that involve exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals or dust
    * electrical equipment is moved between different locations in circumstances where damage
      to the equipment or to a flexible electricity supply cord is reasonably likely
    * electrical equipment is frequently moved during its normal use
    * electrical equipment forms part of, or is used in connection with, an amusement device.
Common examples of electrical equipment requiring an RCD include:
    * hand-held electrical equipment, for example drills, saws, hair dryers, curling wands and electric knives
    * electrical equipment that is moved while in operation, including jackhammers, electric lawn mowers, floor polishers and extension cords
    * electrical equipment that is moved between jobs in ways that could result in damage to the equipment, for example electric welders, electric cement mixers, portable bench saws and extension cords.
Additional RCD requirements may be included in AS/NZS 3000:2007, local building and electrical safety