Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace

Electrical risks in the workplace pose real dangers to safety and business operations. Hazards like electric shocks and equipment fires can lead to injuries, property damage, or even fatalities.

If you are a business owner or site manager in NSW, you are legally required to manage these risks under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

You can manage electrical risks by following SafeWork NSW’s recommended four-step process.

The Four-Step Process for Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace

Step 1: Identify the hazards

Start by identifying anything that could pose an electrical risk in your workplace. This includes:

• Damaged or frayed power cords
• Exposed wiring or cracked plugs
• Overloaded power boards
• Unmaintained or faulty electrical tools
• Appliances used in wet or dusty areas

Get your team involved in this process. Staff who use equipment regularly can often notice hazards that others might miss. Safety walkthroughs and toolbox talks are good times to look for hazards together.

Step 2: Assess the risk

After you identify possible hazards, consider the risks they present. Ask yourself:

• What could go wrong?
• How serious would the outcome be (shock, burn, fire)?
• How likely is it to happen?

Pay special attention to equipment used in tough conditions, like construction tools, portable appliances, and anything used outside or near water. These items usually carry higher risks and need to be checked more often.

Step 3: Control the risk

Next, take action to control the risks. Use the hierarchy of controls to help you decide what to do:

1. Eliminate the hazard (e.g. remove broken equipment)
2. Substitute it with something safer
3. Engineer solutions (e.g. use RCDs or install safer outlets)
4. Administrative controls like policies or signage
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Some common and effective control measures include:

• Regular test and tag services to detect faults early
• RCD (Residual Current Device) use and testing
• Replacing damaged cords or faulty tools immediately
• Staff training on safe equipment use and storage
• Do not attempt DIY repairs. Always hire licensed electricians for electrical work.

Step 4: Review and maintain controls

Risk management is not something you do just once. You need to review your controls regularly to make sure they stay effective.

• Inspect equipment on a regular schedule. Set reminders based on the environment and how often the equipment is used.
• Keep records of all maintenance, inspections, and incidents.
• Update procedures when new equipment is introduced or a near miss occurs.
• Stay up to date with AS/NZS 3760 and SafeWork NSW guidance.

By reviewing your controls, you help make sure your systems stay compliant and you catch important issues before inspections.

Common electrical risks in Sydney workplaces

Here are the issues most frequently flagged during inspections or after incidents:

• Worn or broken plugs, leads, and sockets
• Improper use of extension cords or power boards
• Lack of RCDs or infrequent RCD testing
• Unlicensed electrical work or patch-up jobs
• Appliances used in wet areas without proper protection

Dealing with these issues early greatly reduces risk and shows inspectors that you take compliance seriously.