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The top safe electrical isolation practices to employ in your workplace
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Making your business a safe working environment for your employees 

What is safe isolation?

Electricity can be dangerous with multiple connections within an energised electrical installation, where the risk of electric shock is real and presents risk for those working on such systems. With all electrical training, safe isolation is an essential skill that workers involved in electrical work must be familiar with and use as part of their work practices.

Isolation means the cutting off of the electrical supply to an electrical installation for safety reasons. It is the process of disconnecting an electrical installation from the rest of the circuit and testing that no current is flowing through it. The purpose of isolating an installation is to ensure the safety of the people who are working on it, preventing them from receiving an electric shock.

The importance of safety compliance

The importance of safety compliance

The SafeWork NSW Code of Practice on managing electrical risks in the workplace is an approved code of practice under section 274 of the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS Act). It provides practical guidance on how to achieve the standards of work health and safety required under the WHS Act and the Work Health and Safety Regulations (WHS regulations) and effective ways to identify and manage risks in relation to electrical isolation.

Following an approved code of practice will assist the duty holder to achieve compliance with the health and safety duties in the WHS Act and WHS Regulations in mind. Like regulations, codes of practice deal with particular issues and may not cover all relevant hazards or risks. The health and safety duties require duty holders to consider all risks associated with work, not only those for which regulations and codes of practice exist.

Managing the electrical risk

The SafeWork NSW Code of Practice, managing electrical risks in the workplace requires the isolation of electrical equipment and systems to prevent risk.  All electrical systems or equipment must be considered ‘dead’ before installation or maintenance is carried out. A system is any part of an electrical installation from the source of supply to the equipment installed. The regulations also state that no person shall take part in any work activity unless they possess the necessary technical knowledge and experience in order to prevent risk or is under suitable supervision.

This is carried out by operating devices that have been provided within the electrical installation for isolation to make the electrical system, or part of it, ‘dead’. Since the electrical supply has been isolated, the means of isolation must then be secured so that the system/equipment cannot be accidentally made live. It is important that all sources of electrical supply are isolated, and the system/equipment approved to be ‘dead’ before work is carried out.

The top safe electrical isolation practices

The top safe electrical isolation practices

The top safe isolation process should be followed as below:

  • Acquire a permit where applicable, to start the work
  • Identify the source or sources of supply utilising an approve voltage indicator or test lamp
  • Establish that the approve voltage indicator or test lamp is functioning correctly
  • Isolate the supply or supplies
  • Secure the isolation
  • Establish that the system/equipment is ‘dead’ utilising an approve voltage indicator or test lamp
  • Establish that the approve voltage indicator or test lamp is functioning correctly
  • Erect warning signs to tell other people that the electrical installation has been isolated
  • Once the system/equipment is proved ‘dead; maintenance work can begin

An approve voltage indicator or test lamp must comply with the health and safety guidelines. The approve voltage indicator or test lamp must be ‘proved’ utilising a known live supply or proving unit before and after use to show it is working correctly.

Maintaining safety compliance for electrical isolation in your workplace

Safe isolation practices are the most important aspect for individuals working on or near an electrical system. The ability to safely perform basic maintenance has to be the highest priority for the workplaces, workers, duty holders and stakeholders involved in the process. The industry must encompass the procedures for safe isolation as this is high-risk and not underestimate its relevance, even as a menial job.  

Choosing an organisation to support electrical isolation practices in your workplace

Locksafe produce a comprehensive range of effective and simple to use positive locking energy immobilisation and interruption safety compliant lockout products for use on your electrical equipment during scheduled maintenance periods. Locksafe products are manufactured in line with Australian quality standards meaning we guarantee ease of use and compliance. Get in touch with the Locksafe team today on (08) 9455 7255 to talk about your individual isolation product requirements or reach out to us online.

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