Electrical Work SWMS Templates

Electrical work in the vicinity of live electrical installations is classified as HRCW under WHS Regulations Schedule 3. The HRCW trigger applies where there is a risk of electric shock from contact with, or proximity to, any energised electrical conductor or equipment — which in practice means any electrical work that cannot be performed with the supply fully isolated and locked out.

Work covered by this category includes new electrical installations, switchboard and distribution board work, high voltage switching, solar PV system installation, underground cable installation and jointing, temporary construction power, and any maintenance work on energised equipment that cannot be de-energised.

In Australia, all electrical installation work must be performed by a licensed electrician holding a current electrical contractor's or worker's licence issued under the relevant state or territory electrical safety legislation. All wiring work must comply with AS/NZS 3000 (the Australian Wiring Rules) and the relevant state network operator's technical specifications.

The SWMS must address the isolation and lockout/tagout procedure (or document why full isolation is not reasonably practicable), approach distances to live parts, test-before-touch procedures, insulated tools and PPE requirements, and the emergency response procedure for electric shock. For solar PV work, the unique hazard of uncontrollable generation requiring the use of string covers or irradiance control must be addressed.