No excuse for cutting corners
There’s no excuse for cutting corners, even when you’re under pressure.
Don’t risk electrocution or serious injury – you may not get a second chance.
This message is for all registered electrical contractors, licensed electricians and other licence holders.
Victoria’s Electricity Safety Act 1998 (the Act) requires that contractors and electricians do not expose themselves to unnecessary risks. Contractors and electricians must disconnect the power supply or take adequate precautions to prevent electric shock or injury.
Working safely
Before starting work speak to the customer and agree on a suitable time to disconnect the electricity supply.
Don’t be pressured by anybody to work live. If you can’t reach agreement, walk away – you have a right to refuse to work live.
Always:
- Plan and discuss the job
- Disconnect the electrical supply before starting work
- Confirm isolations are correct and test with suitable instruments
- Confirm connections are correct
- Test completed work for compliance with the wiring rules (AS/NZS 3000).
Never:
- Try to save time by eliminating procedures and risk assessment
- Allow customers to leave the electricity supply on
- Work on energised equipment
- Overlook isolating and proving all equipment and control circuits are safely isolated.
Further information
Your responsibilities
As a licensed and registered electrician, you have regulatory responsibilities. See our guidelines for an overview.Your regulatory responsibilities
Apprentice supervision requirements
Employers and supervisiors have responsibilities for the effective supervision of their apprentices.Learn about apprentice supervision requirements