Electrical work module

Within this industry, you may be involved in a range of work activities such as using measuring instruments, soldering, using hand, power and specialist tools and constructing circuits.

Only licensed electrical workers can legally perform electrical work.

This includes new electrical installations and alterations, and repairs to existing installations. An unqualified person must not be employed or allowed to undertake electrical work.

Apprentices and trainees must be supervised by a qualified electrical worker at all times.

Your employer must make sure you are properly trained and supervised, that you are instructed in safe work procedures, and that all equipment is in good working order.

It is important that you work in a safe manner, not only for your own safety but also for the safety of others.

Print a PDF version of the Electrical Work Module (PDF, 134.61KB).

Lock out, isolation and tagging

Lock out, isolation and tagging procedures in a work place are designed to protect people and property from risks arising from machinery or equipment which has been taken 'out of service' for repair, maintenance or inspection. The significant hazard is often electricity in such cases.

Before any repair or other work is started, the machinery or equipment to be worked on must be disconnected from the electricity supply - unless other adequate precautions are taken to prevent electric shock.

Before you start work:

• switch off
• isolate circuits
• fix appropriate tags
• test that the electricity supply is isolated
• always test your test instruments.

Danger tags

Personal 'DANGER' tags are colour-coded red and black, and are used while equipment and machinery is being repaired or serviced.

A 'DANGER' tag is a warning to all persons that the equipment or machinery is being worked on and must not be operated, as lives may be placed in danger.

A circuit must not be energised while a 'DANGER' tag is attached.

If turning on a switch or valve or operating any machinery or equipment you are working on will place you or someone else in danger you must fix your own 'DANGER' tags. They must be tied on every main isolation switch or valve and you must make sure the switch is in the correct safe position before you start the job. When 2 or more employees are working on the same job they must each fix their own danger tag.

'DANGER' tags are for everyone's safety. Authorised workers must:

• sign and date the tag
• only fix and remove your own 'DANGER' tags
• place tags at common isolation points
• tie the tag securely
• remove the tag at the end of the shift or when the work is done.

Out of service tags

Yellow and black 'OUT OF SERVICE' tags are used to warn people that machinery, appliances or equipment are damaged, unsafe or out of service for repairs, maintenance or inspection. They are used to prevent accidents and damage to the equipment or machinery.

While an 'OUT OF SERVICE' tag is fixed to machinery, appliances or equipment it must not be operated.

Workers who are required to fix 'OUT OF SERVICE' tags must:

• be authorised to fix and remove them
• write their name and the reason on all tags
• place them in a prominent position
• place tags at common isolation points
• leave tags on until the machinery or equipment is repaired, or the maintenance operation complete, and the item is safe to use.

Any faulty equipment should be tagged 'OUT OF SERVICE' so that it cannot be used until it is replaced or repaired.

The safe work procedures for the removal of 'DANGER' and 'OUT OF SERVICE' tags at your work place must be followed.

Talk to your employer or supervisor if you are unsure about tagging machinery and equipment correctly.

Carrying out electrical work

Note: Students on work experience must not undertake any task which may place them at risk from electrical sources. This information is designed to give students an understanding of the hazard and some of its risk control measures.

Your employer must make sure you are trained in safe work procedures.

Safety procedures for working with electricity

Before starting work:

• plan and discuss the job
• consider the hazards and think about what is to be done
• confirm permission to isolate (use a permit system if relevant)
• isolate the electrical equipment or circuit
• fit a 'DANGER - DO NOT OPERATE' tag
• put up safety barriers when required
• use the correct earthing equipment
• cover and insulate live apparatus nearby
• check test instruments
• get authorisation to do the work.

Avoid working on live equipment whenever possible. You should not wear bracelets, rings, neck chains, exposed metal zips or watches while carrying out electrical work near live electrical equipment. If in doubt, ask your supervisor.

When working:

• use safety observers when required
• never rely on your memory
• connect the earth and neutral conductors first
• check the isolation points before resuming work after a break
• use approved safety belts
• regularly check and clean the tools that you use
• use insulated ladders, and
• use non-conducting tape measures.

Working safely includes considering the work procedure, the type of tools used and the type of clothing worn.

On completion of work:

• check that no tools are left on (or in) the job
• remove your own earthing equipment
• check that the work is complete and the equipment can be energised
• notify all personnel involved that the equipment will be energised
• hand in your work permit (if relevant)
• remove 'DANGER - DO NOT OPERATE' tags
• energise power supply
• remove and store all safety barriers.

Safety practices:

• know electric shock and resuscitation procedure
• keep a first aid kit handy
• check the first aid kit regularly
• know where the fire extinguishers are located, and how to operate them
• know the correct type of fire extinguisher for the various types of fire
• keep your work place clean and orderly, and
• report all electrical accidents.

Residual current devices

A Residual current service (RCD), or safety switch, is an electrical safety device designed to immediately switch off the power when electricity 'leaking' to earth is detected at a level harmful to a person using electrical equipment. RCDs are designed to operate within 10 to 50 milliseconds. They also reduce the risk of fire by detecting leakage to earth in electrical wiring and equipment.

Note: Students on work experience must not operate powered tools or mobile plant. This information is designed to give students an understanding of the hazard and some of its risk control measures.

An RCD offers a high level of personal protection from electric shock.

Workers who use portable electrical equipment, power tools and extension leads at work you must be protected against earth leakage by an RCD installed at a permanent switchboard or in a fixed socket outlet.

Residual Current Devices significantly reduce the severity of electric shock, but will not protect you against all electric shock. For example, contact with electricity causes electric current to flow through the body which will not be detected by the RCD unless there is also a current flow to earth.

RCDs are an addition to safety measures, not a substitute for them and they must be regularly tested and maintained.

Hazardous substances and dangerous goods

You may need to use rosin fluxes for metal soldering in the electrical and electronics industry.

Flux is a sticky liquid or paste used to react with and remove compounds from the surface of the connection, to improve the flow of the molten solder and to prevent oxidation during the heating cycle.

Rosin flux may cause health problems if fumes are inhaled or if flux gets on your skin. Fumes may cause irritation such as watery, prickly eyes, running or blocked nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, tight chest and breathlessness. Skin contact may cause itchy skin and dermatitis. Skin contact usually happens when employees get flux on their hands while applying it to metal surfaces before soldering.

Your employer must control the health risks associated with rosin flux by applying risk control steps in the following order of importance:

• eliminating soldering completely, by crimping or twisting electrical wire connections if possible
• substituting fluxes that do not contain rosin if possible, or using rosin core solder where the rosin is contained in a fine tube of solder, which is less likely to result in skin contact during hand soldering
• extracting rosin fumes by a local extraction exhaust system or a fume cabinet connected to an exhaust system
• limiting the amount of time an employee spends doing soldering work, and
• providing personal protective equipment and clothing, such as suitable gloves and protective clothing where there is risk of skin contact, and eye protection if there is risk of splash from liquid flux.

Personal protective equipment and clothing

Your employer is required to provide personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) when hazards in the work place cannot be eliminated, or to increase your level of protection. Your employer should make sure that PPE complies with the relevant Australian Standard.

You must be instructed and trained in the correct use and storage of the PPE provided by your employer, and you must use it according to your training and agreed safe work procedures.

Some of the items of PPE you may use in the electrical and electronics industry are given below.

Clothing provides protection from electric arcing/flash burns, flying objects and electric shock. Ideally, clothing should cover the body completely, and:

• be of appropriate material (either wool or cotton, but not synthetics)
• have non-conductive and concealed buttons
• have sleeves to wrist length, and
• have legs which reach to your footwear.

Safety helmets should be non-conductive. They provide protection from overhead wires, structures and falling objects.

Safety glasses provide protection from electrical arcing and flying objects.

Insulating gloves provide protection from electric shock. They should be worn when accidental contact with live conductors is possible, but they must never be the sole means of insulation.

When using gloves, note:

• rated gloves are designed for live work and are rated according to the level of voltage they are able to insulate against
• rated gloves should be tested regularly to determine their effectiveness
• non-rated gloves are for mechanical protection only
• all gloves must be inspected before each use.

Safety footwear should be non-conductive. It provides protection from electric shock and falling objects.

Insulating mats should be used when working on live conductors or where accidental contact is possible. They must never be the only means of insulation.

Self-assessment test

You may now try the electrical work module self-assessment test.

There are 16 questions. If you get 12 or more correct you will receive an Award of Attainment. The Principal of your school will need to sign the Award and validate it with the school stamp.