Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407:body:0:p24
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 62431–65421

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 electrical work on energised electrical equipment is carried out in accordance with a safe work method statement.
Safe work method statements are required in relation to prescribed 'high risk construction work', in addition to energised electrical work. For more information about safe work method statements see Section 7.3 of this Code and for 'high risk construction work' see the Code of Practice: Construction work.

5.3              Work on cables (including cutting cables)
Where work is to be carried out on a cable, the cable should be de-energised.
Cables must be treated as energised and the procedures for working on energised electrical equipment followed until positive tests can be made that prove the cable is de-energised.
If the cable's connections are exposed the connections and attached live parts should be proved to be de-energised and identified before work starts.
Cutting cables presents particular risks. Both ends of the cable should be checked for isolation prior to cutting. Schematic diagrams or 'as built' diagrams should be checked carefully to establish secondary or metering circuits in multi-cored cables prior to cutting.
Additional precautions should be taken to ensure insulated or covered cables are de-energised, whether the cables are low voltage, high voltage or control cables.
For example, the action of cutting a multi-core control cable is likely to create a risk if secondary current from a current transformer is present. This risk may not be initially apparent; that is, the cable cutters may not be damaged when the cable is cut. A high voltage may develop across the open-circuited secondary winding causing an electric shock, arcing or a fault at a later stage.
Depending on the situation, alternative precautions may include:
    * using a cable spiking or stabbing device that is fit for purpose
    * a combination of proving it is de-energised and physically tracing the cable.

6.     LOW VOLTAGE ISOLATION AND ACCESS

Working de-energised on low voltage electrical equipment or circuits requires the electrical equipment or circuits to be effectively isolated from all relevant sources of electricity supply.
This may be done using opening switches, removing fuses or links, opening circuit breakers
or removing circuit connections.
The standard steps in low voltage isolation are:

Consultation       * consulting with the person with management or control of the workplace (e.g. in relation to the timing of the work) and notifying any other affected persons as appropriate
Isolation          * identifying the circuit(s) requiring isolation

                   * disconnecting active conductors from the relevant source(s), noting there may be