General Electrical Installation — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for general electrical installation work including wiring, fitting of electrical equipment, connection to switchboards and testing. Work to be performed by a licensed electrician in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 and state electrical safety legislation.
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General electrical installation work on construction sites is regulated under both the model WHS Regulations and state-based electrical safety legislation. In all Australian states and territories, electrical installation work must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician holding a current electrical worker's licence (or equivalent) issued by the relevant electrical safety regulator — for example, Energy Safe Victoria, NSW Fair Trading, or the Electrical Safety Office in Queensland. The work must comply with AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules) as the foundational technical standard.
A SWMS is required for electrical installation work that is classified as HRCW on a construction site — specifically where work is performed near live electrical parts, involves work at height, or is associated with other HRCW activities. Even where a SWMS is not strictly required, principal contractors routinely require one for all electrical trades as part of their site safety plan. The Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace is the key reference for risk assessment and control selection.
The principal electrical hazard during installation is contact with live parts — either the system being worked on, or adjacent live parts in the same switchboard or circuit. The safe isolation procedure (lock-out/tag-out) under AS/NZS 4836 must be applied before any work on existing circuits: isolate the circuit at the protective device, test for dead using a calibrated voltage tester (CAT III or CAT IV rated for the voltage present), apply personal lock and tag, and confirm dead again at the point of work. Verification of isolation — not assumption — is the critical step that prevents electrical fatalities.
Underground services, overhead power lines, and capacitors that remain charged after isolation are additional hazards specific to new building installation work. Services drawings must be obtained and verified before excavating or drilling in areas where cables may be present.
Customise this template with the specific installation scope, the circuit isolation procedure, the test equipment to be used, and the relevant electrical safety licence numbers. This SWMS applies across all Australian states and territories, with state electrical safety legislation applying concurrently with the model WHS Regulations.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •On or adjacent to an energised electrical installation or service
Risk Assessment
1.Isolation, lockout/tagout and verification
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shock from contact with energised circuits | Catastrophic | Isolate circuit at switchboard. Lock and tag isolation point (LOTO). Test with approved voltage tester before commencing work — test, then test again. Only licensed electrician to isolate. Do not rely on verbal confirmation of isolation. | Low | Licensed Electrician |
| Inadvertent re-energisation by another party | Catastrophic | Personal lockout padlock applied by each worker. Do not remove another worker's lock. Out of service tag displayed. Notify site supervisor of isolation. Record isolation in permit system if applicable. | Low | Licensed Electrician / Site Supervisor |
2.Cable installation and routing
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable damage from mechanical impact causing shock or fire | High | Route cables through conduit or protected pathway where exposed to mechanical damage. Use appropriate cable type for environment (e.g. UV-rated, armoured). Minimum bend radius maintained. Cable entries sealed after installation. | Low | Licensed Electrician |
| Contact with existing live circuits during drilling or cutting | Catastrophic | Use cable and pipe locator before drilling into walls or ceilings. Identify all circuits in work area. Isolate all circuits in area where location is uncertain. | Low | Licensed Electrician |
3.Connection and termination work
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incorrect wiring causing equipment failure or fire | High | Wiring to comply with AS/NZS 3000. Check polarity before energising. Visual inspection of all terminations. Circuit continuity test performed. | Low | Licensed Electrician |
4.Testing, commissioning and re-energisation
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc flash or short circuit on re-energisation | High | Confirm all personnel clear before energising. Remove all tools and materials from switchboard. Wear arc flash PPE when opening live switchboard. Stand to the side of switchboard door when energising. | Low | Licensed Electrician |
| Certificate of Electrical Safety not issued | Moderate | Licensed electrician to issue Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) for all new or altered electrical work as required by state legislation. Copy retained on site and provided to owner. | Low | Licensed Electrician |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.