Work on or near energised services in a construction context is regarded as high risk construction work. As such, this work should not commence until a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) has been prepared, reviewed and signed off by the relevant parties.

Your SWMS for electrical work must set out the steps in the tasks to be undertaken in a logical order, identify the hazards present at each step and list any appropriate risk controls.

An electrical hazard can occur directly (through energised or live wires of electrical equipment) or indirectly (through other pathways such as conductive materials).

The main hazards associated with electrical equipment include:

• Contact with exposed and/or live wires, which may cause electric shock and burns (for example, exposed leads or other electrical equipment coming into contact with metal surfaces, such as metal flooring or roofs);
• Equipment faults, which may cause fires and cause electric shock injury;
• Fire or explosion, where electricity could be the source of ignition in a potentially flammable or explosive atmosphere (for example, in a spray paint booth);

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Hazards may come from the type of electrical equipment used, how and where it is used, where it is stored, and how it is maintained.

Hazards are more likely to occur when using:

• Portable electrical equipment, extension leads, plugs, sockets, electrical connections and cables are used and moved frequently by many contractors on site;
• Electrical equipment in cramped spaces (inside a tank or bin) with earthed metalwork where it may be difficult to avoid electric shock;
• Electrical equipment regularly exposed to the elements or in wet surroundings such as commercial kitchens, construction sites and hostile environments;

When the risks have been assessed, consider which risk controls are appropriate in the circumstances. When it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate a risk associated with electrical exposure, employers must reduce the risk by implementing the highest level of risk control, or combination of risk controls, that are reasonably practicable in the circumstances.

When determining which risk controls are appropriate, consider:

• What are the known risk controls for the identified electrical hazard;
• What risk controls are currently in place;
• Is the equipment periodically inspected and tested;
• Are leads and equipment being regularly checked for wear, damage and faults through visual inspections before they are used;
• Are procedures in place to report damaged and/or faulty equipment and ensure it is promptly taken out of service to be replaced or repaired;
• Are residual current devices (RCDs), also known as safety switches, or other measures such as isolation transformers or extra low voltage equipment, in place to ensure that employees are not injured if they come into contact with exposed energised parts;

Reduce common hazards and risks with the following control measures:

• Ensure only competent persons, such as appropriately licensed or registered electricians, carry out repairs to electrical installations;
• Provide safe and suitable electrical equipment;
• Provide enough individual socket outlets for equipment;
• Avoid overloading socket outlets or using socket adaptors that can cause fires;
• Ensure power circuits are protected by the appropriate rated fuse or circuit breaker to prevent overloading (if a circuit overloads, do not increase the fuse rating as this creates a fire risk due to overheating);
• Use battery powered equipment instead of mains operated, where possible;