Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407:body:0:p23
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 59834–62712

a business or undertaking must ensure that electrical work is not carried out on electrical equipment while the equipment is energised, subject to the prescribed exceptions discussed in Section 7 of this Code.
These provisions do not apply to work carried out by or on behalf of electricity supply authorities
on the electrical equipment, including line-associated equipment, controlled or operated by
the authority to generate, transform, transmit or supply electricity. This exemption does not
extend to the electricity generation sector.
A person conducting a business or undertaking carrying out electrical work must ensure that, before electrical work is carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment is tested by a competent person to determine whether or not it is energised.
The person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that:
    * each exposed part is treated as energised until it is isolated and determined not to be energised, and
    * each high-voltage exposed part is earthed after being de-energised.
A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that electrical equipment that
has been de-energised to allow for electrical work to be carried out cannot be inadvertently
re-energised.
The safe work principle 'TEST FOR 'DEAD' BEFORE YOU TOUCH' must be applied at all times.
Even if the electricity supply is believed to have been isolated, it must be assumed that all conductors and electrical components are energised until they have been proven de-energised.
Testing for 'dead' must be undertaken as appropriate for the duration of the electrical work.
Testing is undertaken prior to touching, taking into account all relevant factors including the
nature of the conductor, nature of the isolation, nature of work, if there has been a change
or the area has been left idle (unattended) for a period.
The testing method (including the tester used) must be safe and effective. The electrical
worker carrying out the testing must understand testing procedures and be competent in the
use of the tester.
Panel voltmeters should not be used as the only method of determining whether an electrical
part is de-energised.
If voltage testers are used they should be tested for correct operation immediately before use
and again after use to confirm that the instrument is still working. This check should be considered to be part of the 'TEST FOR 'DEAD' BEFORE YOU TOUCH' safe work principle.
If there are any exposed conductors in the immediate work area they should be separated by design or segregated and protected with insulated barricades, insulated shrouding or insulated material to prevent against inadvertent or direct contact.
For more information about testing instruments see Chapter 9 of this Code.

5.2              Safe work method statements
Regulation 161 A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that