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What are your obligations as a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking?

 

In South Australia the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 apply to all workplaces in the state. 

 

All Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must be able to demonstrate safe systems of work, including electrical safety.  A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the health and safety of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking.  See the Work Health and Safety Act 2012; Section 5—for the definition of person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU).

 

According to the Act, all workplaces need to have systems in place for electrical appliances to be routinely inspected and tested for electrical safety in accordance with AS/NZS 3760.  If it needs to be plugged in to electrical power – it needs to be inspected and tested.

 

The Work Health and Safety Act 2012 also requires that Residual Current Devices (RCD’s), both fixed and portable are also routinely inspected and tested for electrical safety in accordance with AS/NZS 3760.

 

Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace (Safe Work SA) and Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace (Safe Work Australia) provide more information and requirements.

 

What do we inspect and test?

 

The Standard specifies procedures for the safety inspection and testing of low voltage single phase and polyphase electrical equipment, connected to the electrical supply by a flexible cord or connecting devise, and that;

• Is new equipment placed into service for the first time;

• Is already in service;

• Has been serviced or repaired;

• Is returning from service from second hand sale; or

• Is available for hire.

 

The Standard also specifies procedures for the safety inspection and testing of;

• Residual Current Devices (RCDs) except those within the scope of AS/NZS 3003 and NZS 6115; and

• Portable inverters that generate or produce low voltage.

 

What is Not Covered

 

The Standard does not apply to;

• Electrical equipment (such as suspended light fittings) installed at a height of 2.5m or greater above the ground, floor or platform, where there is not a reasonable chance of a person touching the equipment and, at that same time, coming into contact with earth or any conducting medium which may be in electrical contact with earth of trough which a circuit may be completed to earth.

• Equipment would need to be dismantled to perform the inspection and test specified in the Standard.

• Fixed equipment (except RCDs) or stationary equipment connected to wiring that forms part of the electrical installation and hence falls within the scope of AS/NZS 3000.

• Equipment within the scope of AS/NZS 3003 and NZS 6115.

 

For new equipment, the supplier is deemed to be responsible for its initial electrical safety.  New equipment need not be tested but should be inspected for obvious damage.