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This fact sheet provides general guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and workers on managing electrical risks at the workplace. It does not cover electrical risks arising from overhead or underground electric lines.

Alternatively workers could be supplied with portable RCDs to use with plug-in electrical equipment and supplied with suitably maintained electrical equipment (for example vacuum cleaners) so they do not have to use the client's equipment.

PCBUs must manage electrical risks at the workplace. When managing electrical risks, the risks must be eliminated so far as is reasonably practicable. If elimination is not reasonably practicable, the risks must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.

As a general rule electrical equipment connected by a plug and socket that is used on construction and demolition sites should be inspected and tested at least once every three months. More frequent testing may be required as indicated by a site-specific risk assessment.

PCBUs with management or control of a workplace must take all reasonable steps to ensure that RCDs used at the workplace are tested regularly by a competent person to ensure the devices are working effectively.

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For example if workers use portable RCDs as part of their work for example, portable RCDs used by contract cleaners, then the PCBU directing the work must ensure the RCDs are tested regularly.

If RCD requirements apply at a workplace all PCBUs at the workplace have responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure compliance with the legal requirements.

Electrical equipment that is connected by a plug and socket – in essence 'plug in' electrical equipment – that is used in a 'hostile operating environment' (as described above) must be regularly inspected and tested by a competent person. If this equipment has not been regularly tested then it must not be used until it is tested.

Regular visual inspection can identify obvious damage, wear or other conditions which might make electrical equipment unsafe. Many electrical defects are detectable by visual inspection for example, damaged cords.

PCBUs must ensure that any unsafe electrical equipment within their management or control is disconnected or isolated from its electricity supply and once disconnected is not reconnected until it is repaired or tested and found to be safe or is replaced or permanently removed from use.

Further guidance on indicative testing intervals can be found in AS/NZS 3760: 2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and the manufacturer's recommendations (if any).

More work health and safety resources are available on this website and Safe Work Australia website at safeworkaustralia.gov.au

For extended hires the PCBU using the electrical equipment must ensure it is inspected and tested at the intervals applicable to the type of workplace where the equipment is being used.

In these circumstances all PCBUs with a shared responsibility at a workplace must consult and co-operate with each other to ensure compliance with the legal requirements.

Each PCBU retains responsibility, for ensuring appropriate RCD protection is provided, and must discharge their duty to the extent to which the person has the capacity to influence or control the matter, disregarding any attempts to 'contract out' of the duty.

PCBUs that direct or allow workers to work in other people's homes as carers or in similar capacities must do what is reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of the workers.

An electrical risk is a risk to a person of death, shock or other injury caused directly or indirectly by electricity. The main hazards associated with these risks are:

For example PCBUs must put arrangements in place to ensure that workers do not use unsafe electrical equipment whether supplied by them or the home owner.

As a general rule electrical equipment used in 'hostile operating environments' should be inspected and tested at least once every 12 months. More frequent testing will be required where plug-in equipment is exposed to increased risks of mechanical damage or electrical deterioration, for example:

This includes conditions that involve exposing the electrical equipment to moisture, heat, vibration, mechanical damage, corrosive chemicals and dust.

At a shared workplace PCBUs will usually have varying degrees of control over certain parts of the physical workplace, for example their ability to have non-portable RCDs installed at the switchboard.

Examples include wet or dusty areas, outdoors, workplaces that use corrosive substances, commercial kitchens, and manufacturing environments.

The nature and frequency of inspection and testing depends on factors such as the nature of the electrical equipment, how it is used and its operating environment.

Note: this fact sheet provides general information only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking professional legal advice for your specific circumstances. The contents of this fact sheet are correct and based on available information at the time of writing. However, there may be subsequent decisions of courts or tribunals on the matter covered by this fact sheet which mean that the contents are no longer accurate.

A record of testing of electrical equipment used in a 'hostile operating environment' must be kept until the electrical equipment is next tested or permanently removed from the workplace or disposed of. A record of testing must specify:

RCD testing requirements apply to both portable and nonportable devices. Portable RCDs will also require testing as portable electrical equipment if used in a 'hostile operating environment'.

If it is reasonably practicable for an RCD to be provided, the RCD must have a tripping current that does not exceed 30 milliamps for socket outlets not exceeding 20 amps.

PCBUs hiring out electrical equipment must ensure it is inspected and tested at the commencement of each hire and tested every three months.

If a PCBU's workers, including contractors, are required or allowed to use electrical equipment at a workplace shared by multiple PCBUs (for example at a construction site) then the PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the equipment is safe to use. This duty applies regardless of whether the PCBU owns or supplied the electrical equipment.

Where provided for use in a workplace RCDs must be fit for purpose, maintained so as to be effective and tested regularly.

AS/NZS 3012: 2010 Electrical installations – construction and demolition sites applies in relation to the inspection and testing of electrical equipment on construction and demolition sites (including record keeping requirements).

Any PCBU with management or control over electrical equipment (including an electrical installation) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the equipment is safe to use. See below for examples of common risk control measures.

This could include putting procedures in place that require electrical equipment that is reasonably believed to be unsafe to be disconnected or isolated. Such equipment must not be used by workers until repaired or tested and found to be safe.

Additionally PCBUs must ensure their workers have suitable information, training, instruction and (if necessary) supervision to allow them to carry out work in other people's homes without risks to health or safety, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes suitable training on electrical risks in domestic settings, and on the PCBU's procedures to eliminate or minimise those risks.

This fact sheet should be read together with the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (WHS Regulation), relevant work health and safety codes of practice and any applicable transitional arrangements.

Inspection and testing of electrical equipment under the WHS Regulation must be carried out by a competent person – someone who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out the task.

AS/NZS 3012: 2010 applies in relation to the provision and testing of RCDs on construction and demolition sites (including record keeping requirements).

If reasonably practicable, RCDs must be used to protect workers using 'plug in' electrical equipment in 'hostile operating environments' (as described above).

The WHS Regulation does not mandate whether RCDs (where required) should be non-portable or portable. The choice of appropriate RCD will depend on all relevant circumstances, including for example, the degree to which the PCBU has management or control of the electrical installations at the workplace.

Some items of equipment can also involve greater risk than others. Portable electrical equipment is particularly liable to damage including to plugs and sockets, electrical connections and to the cable itself. Extension leads, particularly those connected to equipment which is frequently moved, can suffer from similar problems.

Brand-new equipment that is 'out of the box' does not need to be tested before being put into service unless there are reasonable grounds to believe it is electrically unsafe.

The risk of injury from electricity is strongly linked to where and how it is used. The risks are greatest in harsh conditions, for example:

A 'hostile operating environment' is a term used to describe an environment where electrical equipment is exposed to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected life span.

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The Benefits of Body-Worn Cameras for Commercial Use - pros of body cameras

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