Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407:body:0:p21
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00407
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 54350–57318

work starts and it must be carried out by a competent person and recorded. For more information about energised electrical work, see Section 7 of this Code.
The following risk factors associated with carrying out electrical work should be considered:
    * sources of electrical risks, including energy levels at the workplace
    * the nature of the electrical work to be carried out
    * potential or actual high fault current levels (i.e. risks associated with arc flash)
    * availability of isolation points
    * work practices
    * the type of plant, machinery and equipment to be used
    * availability of suitable test instruments
    * availability of properly rated PPE
    * the workplace and working environment, for example:
       * wet weather conditions
       * in and around trenches, pits and underground ducts
       * ladders, scaffolds, portable pole platforms, elevating work platforms, poles and towers
       * confined spaces
       * ability to safely rescue persons
    * the competence of people carrying out the work, noting that licensing requirements may apply for the electrical work under local electrical safety laws.
Also consider individual workers' needs, for example:
    * Is the worker experienced in, and have they been properly trained for, the working conditions?
    * Is the worker physically fit for the proposed work, for example are they able to climb to heights to work on an overhead conductor or are they mentally alert and not fatigued?
    * Does the worker have a visual or hearing impairment, for example do they have a visual colour deficiency or hearing loss?
    * Does the worker take any medication that may increase their vulnerability to work in electrical environments?
    * Is the worker working excessively long hours?
    * Does the worker suffer from claustrophobia?
Appendix C may be used to assist with identifying hazards and assessing risks in carrying out electrical work.

4.4              Control the risks

Once hazards have been identified and the risks assessed, appropriate control measures must be put in place. Electrical safety generally depends on appropriate training, work planning, and correct testing procedures and techniques.
The ways of controlling risks are ranked from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. This ranking is known as the hierarchy of risk control. You must work through this hierarchy to choose the control that most effectively eliminates or minimises the risk in the circumstances, so far as is reasonably practicable. This may involve a single control measure or a combination of two or more different controls.

Elimination
The most effect control measure is to remove the hazard or hazardous work practice. For example, working de-energised rather than energised eliminates significant electrical risks. That is why the WHS Regulations prohibit energised electrical work subject to certain exceptions.

Substitution
Replacing