Electrical tools and equipment - Poor maintenance can kill

Alert

Electrical tools and equipment - Poor maintenance can kill ( )

Document Type: Alert
Keycode: web only
Industry: Construction 
Division Author: Construction & Utilities
Publication Date: 08 June 2005
Date First Published: 04 October 2000
Summary: This alert warns of the dangers of inadequate maintenance of electrical tools and equipment, and provides guidance on preventative safety measures.

There have been a large number of workplace incidents where workers have been electrocuted or suffered electrical shock or burns while using electrical tools and equipment. Most often, the lack of proper maintenance is the cause of these incidents.

Recently a manufacturing company was fined in the Magistrates Court for failing to maintain electrical tools and equipment in a safe working condition. Employers must ensure that a workplace is safe and without risk to the health of employees.

The following safety precautions should be adopted to prevent possible electrocution.

• ALWAYS:
  Test and tag electrical leads, tools and equipment regularly.
• Visually inspect electrical leads, tools and equipment for damage before each use.
• Use safety switches (also called RCDs) when using electrical tools and equipment.
• Use 'flameproof' electrical tools and equipment in areas where there is the potential for flammable and explosive atmospheres.
• Use competent people to repair damaged electrical leads, tools and equipment.

NEVER:

• Use damaged electrical leads, tools and equipment.
• Use electrical leads, tools and equipment in damp or wet conditions unless they are specially designed for use in those conditions.
• Place electrical leads in areas where they may be damaged (e.g. on the ground, through doorways and over sharp edges).
• Overload electrical circuits.
• Use modified electrical tools and equipment.

TESTING OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT:
Portable electrical equipment, including flexible electrical cords, needs to be regularly inspected for wear and mechanical damage, and periodically tested for earth continuity and insulation resistance. Procedures for testing of electrical leads, tools and equipment and the frequency of these tests can be found in:

• Joint Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment; and
• Joint Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations - Construction and demolition sites

Acts and Regulations

Acts and regulations are available from Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 or order online at www.bookshop.vic.gov.au.

View the legislation at Victorian Law Today at www.legislation.vic.gov.au.

Standards Australia

Australian Standards are available from Standards Australia on 1300 654 646, or on-line at www.standards.com.au