Electricity is a silent, invisible killer so we need to keep it securely behind insulation for our personal safety. Staff, students and visitors need to be actively involved in the three main elements of electrical safety at UWA:

Safety Inspections in the Workplace – The aim of the safety inspection is to identify hazards and implement measures to eradicate problems or protect staff members where eradication is not possible.  Formal safety inspections should be done at least annually and carried out by the area supervisor. This inspection will include a section on electrical safety. Informal ispections should be done more often (monthly). Workplace occupants should also constantly monitor any electrical equipment in their work area to ensure that unsafe equipment is removed from service for repair, replacement or disposal.

Purchasing Safe Electrical Appliances – The Electricity Act 1945 prohibits the sale of many household electrical appliances unless the approval of the Director of Energy Safety is first obtained. Those appliances that are of high risk, such as kitchen appliances or those that have caused problems are 'prescribed'. Prescribed appliances must be approved for sale or hire or before being advertised for sale or hire. Prescribed equipment should have a compliance label. Persons who sell or hire electrical appliances or equipment which are not prescribed are responsible under the Common Law for ensuring the items are safe to be connected to electricity supply.

There may be a label showing the voltage and frequency that the appliance is to operated at and the power it will consume as well as an aproval number, or it may be on accompanying documentation. Overseas manufactured equipment may have an equivilant electrical safety standard, such as CE for Europe of UL for USA, it is up to the importer to ensure the item meets Australian electrical standards. So providing no physical damage has occurred to the appliance since manufacture, it can be determined that the appliance is electrically safe if purchased from a reputable supplier.

Testing and Tagging of electrical appliances - is a phrase that is commonly used to cover the process using AS/NZS3760:2003 as a benchmark to inspect and carry out electrical safety tests of portable electrical appliances at regular intervals in areas determined to be hostile, i.e. where there is a risk of damage to the electrical equipment. This testing must be done by a "competent person".

Electrical safety

The use of fixed or portable residual current devices can help reduce the electrical safety risks in the work environment

Creating A Non Hazardous Office - What to look for in a non hostile environment.

Safety Inspection Checklists Electrical Checks - What to look for when doing safety inspections.

Definitions - Explanations and links to technical terms.

What's A Watt - How much power do portable electrical appliances draw?

Electrical Equipment Design - what factors need to be incorporated in design of portable electrical equipment.

Links

UWA Electrical Safety website

ELEC3307 - Electrical Safety Module Notes (under construction)

Symbols

UWA electrical safety pamphlet

Risk Assessments

Used to determine whether a site is electrically hazardous or not.
Teaching Labs- last updated 23rd August 2006
Research Labs - laste updated 26 August 2006
Electronic Workshop - last updated 4 April 2007

References- laste updated

Safety Alerts - laste updated 5 October 2006