Policy Statement The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane (the Diocese) is committed to ensuring people s health and safety while at work, an important component of which is electrical safety. This policy complies with the Electrical Safety Act 2002, which is designed to protect people and property from the risks associated with electricity. The legislation requires the Diocese, as an employer, to ensure: that all business is undertaken in a way that is electrically safe; that all electrical equipment used is electrically safe; the electrical safety of all people and property likely to be affected when performing electrical work; the electrical safety of people performing the work near exposed parts. The Diocese will also comply with subordinate legislation including the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 and Codes of Practice for Electrical Work where applicable. The Regulation sets out specific requirements about electrical equipment and installations. The legislation applies to all persons, workplaces, domestic premises and public places. Guiding principles Persons in control of a Diocesan site are responsible for general and electrical safety in their workplace. This includes testing and tagging of relevant plant/equipment (if required) and provision and testing of portable safety switches where required. Eligibility Principles This policy applies to all staff, residents, visitors and contractors and to all Diocesan workplaces. Procedure to Apply Specific situations and responsibilities include: o Any electrical equipment that is owned by the Diocese and used off site is responsibility of the Diocese. If staff bring domestic/other appliances into the workplace, in the absence of a safety switch (RCD) the relevant manager must ensure it is tested and tagged before use at the workplace (with the cost being met by the worker). For off site activities, the relevant person organizing the activity is responsible for testing and tagging of electrical equipment and provision and testing of portable safety switches, as required. In the absence of a safety switch at the switchboard: External parties renting Diocesan space are responsible for testing and tagging of electrical equipment brought onto and used within the leased work area, and/or provision of safety switches as required. Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 1 of 13 Level: CSC..
o Diocese Electrical Safety Policy New specified electrical equipment should be tagged with the purchase date/date of first use to identify its due date for testing and tagging. All staff are responsible for reporting of electrical hazards or damaged electrical equipment to the person in control of the worksite. Electrical Equipment and Installations General Safety Requirements The work area must be set up so electrical cords, cables and equipment are protected from damage (including damage by liquids). Staff and others in the workplace must be educated to inspect for and immediately report any physical damage to electrical cords and appliances. The use of safety switches may be required in certain situations. Safety switches and portable safety switches must be tested at prescribed intervals by a competent person and removed from use if not working properly. The competent person must ensure that safety switches are only used when the inbuilt test button trips immediately and that the residual current trip is no more than 10mA, 40ms (Type 1 safety switch) or 30mA, 300ms (Type 2 safety switch). All defective equipment must be removed from service immediately, and be labeled accordingly. Piggyback plugs are never to be used. Double adaptors are not to be used in a manufacturing environment, and it is strongly recommended that in an office based environment a power board that complies with the Australian Standard is to be used in preference to a double adaptor. risk. Portable bar heaters are not permitted in any Diocesan buildings due to the high fire Safety switches (or Residual Current Devices) The Diocese aims to have a safety switch (Residual Current Device or RCD) installed at the electrical switchboard in all Diocesan buildings. All RCDs must be regularly checked in accordance with those requirements outlined in Appendix 2. In the absence of a RCD at the switchboard testing and tagging of specified electrical equipment must be undertaken in accordance with requirements outlined in Appendix 2. Diocesan staff using specified electrical equipment in a location not under the control of the Diocese must use a portable RCD which is to be used and tested in accordance with the requirements outlined in Appendix 2. Type of work - Key Requirements The legislation specifies electrical test requirements according to the type of work undertaken in a workplace. Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 2 of 13 Level:CSC..
Most electrical work in the Diocese will fall into what is defined as Service Work or Office Work. Construction Work is performed at times, and Manufacturing Work may be performed in workshops performing maintenance and/or other manufacturing activities. Amusement Work may be conducted during Fetes, Open Days or other public events, and elements of Rural Industry Work may be conducted in some non-metropolitan parishes. The key requirements for ensuring electrical safety include connection to a circuit protected by a safety switch and/or inspection and testing by a competent person at the required interval. At the completion of any electrical testing, any specified electrical equipment must have a durable tag attached at the time of inspection and testing showing the date by which the equipment is to be re-inspected and re-tested. Appendix 2 briefly outlines requirements for inspection and testing of certain electrical equipment within each class of work. For detailed information refer to the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002. Personal Electrical Equipment In the absence of a safety switch at the switchboard, personal electrical equipment brought to a Diocesan workplace must be tested and tagged prior to use. Portable bar heaters are such a significant risk of causing fire that they are banned from use on Diocesan worksites. Given safety and fire risk issues with other portable heaters, their use is not recommended. If a heater is required an oil filled column heater is preferred. Lending/Hire of Equipment Diocesan electrical equipment which is loaned/hired out (even if monies are not exchanged) must be inspected, tested and tagged by a competent person every 6 months. Whoever provides the equipment must perform and record a visual inspection of the equipment prior to loan/hire. Working Around Live Electrical Parts No live electrical work (i.e. work on energized equipment) is to be carried out on Diocesan property, with the exception of testing and fault-finding by appropriately qualified tradespersons, where there is no reasonable alternative to performing the electrical work other than by live work. The Diocese as an employer must ensure that work performed does not involve: A person coming into direct contact with a live electrical part; Any operating plant or vehicle coming into direct contact with an electrical part; A person coming within the exclusion zone for the electrical part; or Any operating plant or vehicle coming within the exclusion zone for the operating plant or vehicle for an electrical part. Refer to your electrical contractor for advice. Spiritus or DSC personnel should contact the Strategic Assets Management team. Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 3 of 13 Level: CSC..
Diocese Electrical Safety Policy Incident Notification and Reporting Any minor shocks or tingles from electrical equipment or electrical infrastructure (wiring, switches or plugs) must be reported immediately to a senior manager. Spiritus and DSC worksites are to contact the Workplace Health and Safety staff in Human Resource Support Services. Equipment must be withdrawn from service immediately. All serious electrical incidents and dangerous electrical events must be reported immediately to the senior manager (and/or the Diocesan Workplace Health & Safety Advisor) who will arrange notification to the Electrical Safety Office within 24 hours of becoming aware of the incident or event. If a person has been killed in a serious electrical incident, the report must be made immediately by phone, fax or other suitable form of communication. The Diocesan process for incident reporting must also be followed. Application of this Policy This Policy will apply to all Diocesan worksites. RELEVANT LEGISLATION\BY-LAWS Commonwealth Queensland Electrical Safety Act 2002 Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995 Workplace Health & Safety Regulation 2008 All Policies, Procedures & Manuals are to be adhered to in accordance with Diocesan Services Commission requirements. APPLI ES TO: Diocesan Services Commission Community Services Commission RELATED DOCUMENTS Ministry Education Commission Anglican Schools Commission Parishes & Other Mission Agencies Commission Episcopate and Leadership Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 4 of 13 Level:CSC..
Appendix 1 Definitions Amusement work a non-profit organisation, to assemble, operate or disassemble any of the following on the site on which it is used, intended to be used or has been used a) an amusement device or amusement ride; b) a thing used to provide amusement activities, including side show activities, associated with carnivals, fairs or shows; or c) amusement arcades or similar places; Example of side show activities providing hamburgers, fairy floss or massages in a side show d) a thing used to provide entertainment or advertising activities, in temporary sites, associated with shows, fairs or carnivals. Construction work means a) construction work within the meaning of the WHS Act 1995 Section 14, other than amusement work or rural industry work (e.g. erecting, renovating, repairing, or refurbishing a structure);or b) work done in conjunction with construction work mentioned in paragraph (a). Example of paragraph (b) installation of plumbing in a house under construction Manufacturing work means the work of assembly, disassembly, fabrication, installation, maintenance, manufacturing, refurbishment or repair, but does not include amusement work, construction work or rural industry work. Examples installing the interior fittings of a shop manufacturing clothes repairing leaking pipes some activities in a maintenance workshop or Men s Shed Service work means work that is not amusement work, construction work, manufacturing work, office work or rural industry work. Examples cleaning a motel cooking in a restaurant providing health services at a health facility selling goods from a shop teaching at an education facility Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 5 of 13 Level: CSC..
Diocese Electrical Safety Policy caring for children at a child care centre Rural industry work is work a) in the cultivation of any agricultural crop or product whether or not grown for food; or b) in the rearing and management of farm animals, for example, livestock, bees or worms; or c) in the classing, scouring, sorting or pressing of wool; or d) that is aquaculture; or e) in flower or vegetable market gardens; or f) at clearing, fencing, trenching, draining or otherwise preparing land for anything stated in paragraph (a), (b), (d) or (e). Rural industry work includes work that is construction work, manufacturing work or office work performed for the purposes of an activity mentioned in subsection (1) if the work is a) performed by an employer or self-employed person, including by his or her employee, carrying on the business or undertaking in which the product of the construction work, manufacturing work or office work is to be used; and b) performed on premises on which the product of the construction work, manufacturing work or office work is to be used. Examples of construction work or manufacturing work for subsection (2) repairing farm machinery, for example, tractors or implements making farm machinery, for example, cattle crushes, spray booms or fruit picking booms building sheds Rural industry work does not include work to which rural industry work is only incidental. Examples work in carrying on a farm stay work in conducting a tour associated with rural industry work Specified electrical equipment for the performance of amusement work, manufacturing work or rural industry work, the following equipment (other than an amusement device or amusement ride) a) a cord extension set with a current rating of not more than 20 amps; b) a portable outlet device with a current rating of not more than 20 amps; c) electrical equipment, other than a portable safety switch, that a. has a current rating of not more than 20 amps; and b. is connected by a flexible cord and plug to low voltage supply; and Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 6 of 13 Level:CSC..
for the performance of office work or service work a) a cord extension set with a current rating of not more than 20 amps; or b) a portable outlet device with a current rating of not more than 20 amps; or c) electrical equipment, other than a portable safety switch, that a. has a current rating of not more than 20 amps; and b. is connected by a flexible cord and plug to low voltage supply; and c. is moved during its normal use for the purpose of its use. Note: A portable outlet device is commonly called a power board. type 1 safety switch means a residual current device, whether or not portable, with a rated residual current of not more than 10mA. type 2 safety switch means a residual current device, whether or not portable, with a rated residual current of more than 10mA but not more than 30mA. serious bodily injury means an injury to a person that causes a) the injured person s death; or b) the loss of a distinct part or an organ of the injured person s body; or c) the injured person to be absent from the person s voluntary or paid employment for more than 4 days. serious electrical incident is an incident involving electrical equipment if, in the incident a) a person is killed by electricity; or b) a person receives a shock or injury from electricity, and is treated for the shock or injury by or under the supervision of a doctor; or c) a person receives a shock or injury from electricity at high voltage, whether or not the person is treated for the shock or injury by or under the supervision of a doctor. dangerous electrical event is any of the following a) the coming into existence of circumstances in which a person is not electrically safe, if a. the circumstances involve high voltage electrical equipment; and b. despite the coming into existence of the circumstances, the person does not receive a shock or injury; b) the coming into existence of both of the following circumstances a. if a person had been at a particular place at a particular time, the person would not have been electrically safe; b. the person would not have been electrically safe because of circumstances involving high voltage electrical equipment; Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 7 of 13 Level: CSC..
Diocese Electrical Safety Policy c) an event that involves electrical equipment and in which significant property damage is caused directly by electricity or originates from electricity; d) the performance of electrical work by a person not authorised under an electrical work licence to perform the work; e) the performance of electrical work by a person if, as a result of the performance of the work, a person or property is not electrically safe; Examples for paragraph (e) the connection of electrical equipment to a source of supply involving incorrect polarity or other incorrect connection the performance of electrical work as a result of which an exposed wire is left in circumstances in which it can be energised by the operation of a switch or circuit breaker or the insertion of a fuse f) the discovery by a licensed electrical worker of electrical equipment that has not been marked as required under this Act. Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 8 of 13 Level:CSC..
Appendix 2 Electrical Test Requirements (Queensland) Testing Electrical Equipment By law only a person deemed competent by their employer can test and tag electrical equipment. Who is a competent person? In Queensland a competent person will have completed appropriate training in Conduct In-service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (other than fixed wire equipment) [30239 QLD Course]. It is an offence under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 to repair any electrical equipment that you find is faulty, unless you have the appropriate electrical work licence. Competence is based on knowledge and skills gained through training, experience, qualifications or a combination of these. How often should we test electrical equipment? How often specified electrical equipment and safety switches are tested depends on the class of workplace they are used in. Refer to the following requirements- What Is Tested and When 1. Service work and office work requirements (Refer Table 1) Employers and self-employed people must make sure: specified electrical equipment is inspected and tested by a competent person at prescribed intervals and immediately withdrawn from use if it is not safe to use or specified electrical equipment is connected to a type 1 or 2 safety switch. The safety switch must be tested at prescribed intervals and withdrawn from use if it is not working properly 2. Manufacturing work requirements (Refer Table 2) Employers and self-employed people must make sure: double adaptors and piggyback plugs are not used specified electrical equipment is inspected, tested and tagged by a competent person at prescribed intervals; and specified electrical equipment is connected to a type 1 or 2 safety switch. This must be an installed safety switch from 1 March 2008. Portable safety switches are not an option for the manufacturing industry. # safety switches are tested at prescribed intervals any electrical equipment is immediately withdrawn from use if it is not safe to use safety switches are withdrawn from use if they are not working properly. Examples of specified electrical equipment used to perform manufacturing work a hand held grinder plugged into a socket-outlet Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 9 of 13 Level: CSC..
Diocese Electrical Safety Policy a hand held electric drill plugged into a socket-outlet that is used for drilling holes in steelwork in a light engineering workshop # There are some exemptions for the need to use an installed safety switch in a manufacturing environment - refer to the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 Sect 90B. This may apply to services such as Home Assist Secure. 3. Construction work requirements (Refer Table 3) Employers and self-employed people must ensure that all electrical equipment for the performance of work is in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations - Construction and demolition sites. An employer or self employed person whose business or undertaking is being conducted at a construction workplace and who is the principal contractor for the construction workplace must ensure that all construction wiring at the workplace is in accordance with AS/NZS 3012. 4. Amusement work Amusement work may be undertaken in the event of a fete or other social event on site. For advice on those requirements refer to the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002. Category Specified electrical equipment * safety switch (fixed) safety switch (portable) SERVICE WORK Commercial kitchen Laundry Hotel services Child care centre Training area At least 12 monthly intervals by a competent person or connected to a safety switch. Use the inbuilt test button, at least every 6 months. An operating time/current test by a competent person, at least every 2 years. Use the inbuilt test button at least every 3 months or before each use, whichever is longer. An operating time/current test by a competent person, at least every 12 months. OFFICE WORK At least 5 yearly intervals by a competent person OR connected to a safety switch Use the inbuilt test button at least every 6 months. An operating time/current test by a competent person, at least every 2 years. Use the inbuilt test button at least every 3 months. An operating time/current test by a competent Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 10 of 13 Level:CSC..
Category Specified electrical equipment * safety switch (fixed) safety switch (portable) person at least every 2 years. Table 1 * For service and office work, 'specified electrical equipment' is equipment that is connected by a flexible cord and plug to low voltage supply; has a current rating not exceeding 20 Amps; and is moved during its normal use for the purpose of its use. For example, a handheld blow dryer, portable power saw or vacuum cleaner. 'Specified electrical equipment' also includes extension leads or portable outlet devices (power boards). Category Specified electrical equipment * safety switch (fixed) safety switch (portable) MANUFACTURING WORK Maintenance/repair work Resident s workshops If equipment is double insulated, at least every 12 months by competent person. If not double insulated, at least every 6 months by competent person Use the inbuilt test button at least every 6 months. An operating time/current test at least every 12 months by competent person. Use the inbuilt test button daily or before each use, whichever is longer. By a competent person, at least every 12 months. and connected to a safety switch. Table 2 Note: From 1 March 2008, portable safety switches are not to be used in manufacturing work. Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 11 of 13 Level: CSC..
Diocese Electrical Safety Policy Category CONSTRUCTION WORK Portable electrical equipment At least 3 monthly intervals by a competent person. safety switch (fixed) Use the inbuilt test button (at least monthly). An operating time/current test by a competent person at least annually. safety switch (portable) Use the inbuilt test button immediately after it is connected and immediately before it is used, first time each day. By a competent person, at least every 3 months. Table 3 For construction work, refer to AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations - Construction and demolition sites. For all other work, refer to the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002. Category Portable electrical equipment safety switch (fixed) safety switch (portable) RURAL INDUSTRY WORK All plug in equipment Visual examination before each use. Recommended Recommended Rural industry work (Specified electrical equipment used under stated Either: test and inspect every 12 months or protect with a safety switch. push button test every three months. push button test every three months. electrical risk factors) Table 4 Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 12 of 13 Level:CSC..
Testing new electrical equipment Office or Service Worksite - Any new electrical equipment brought onto a worksite that is not fitted with a safety switch must be tested and tagged by a competent person prior to use. Testing and tagging is not required if a safety switch is installed. Manufacturing and Construction Worksites - Any new electrical equipment must be tested and tagged by a competent person prior to use. Tagging electrical equipment On completing tests, and on achieving satisfactory results, a durable tag must be attached to the electrical equipment showing when next it is due for an inspection and test. Electrical equipment that fails testing should immediately be withdrawn from use and you must attach a durable tag warning people not to use the equipment. Effective Date: [Effective Date] Version No: 8.0 Page 13 of 13 Level: CSC..