ELECTRICAL SAFETY REGULATION 2013

Queensland Consolidated Regulations

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ELECTRICAL SAFETY REGULATION 2013

- Made under the Electrical Safety Act 2002
- As at 1 July 2024
- Reg 213 of 2013

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

PART 1 - PRELIMINARY

1. Short title
2. Commencement
3. Purposes
4. How purposes are to be achieved
5. Definitions
6. References to standards and other documents
7. Meaning of qualified business person and qualified technical person
8. Provisions linked to electrical safety duties in Act
9. Application of this regulation
10. Assessment of risk in relation to a class of hazards, tasks, circumstances or things

PART 2 - GENERAL RISK MANAGEMENT

11. Risk management

PART 3 - ELECTRICAL WORK

Division 1 - Electrical work on energised electrical equipment

12. Definitions for div 1
13. Persons conducting a business or undertaking to which this division applies
14. Electrical work on energised electrical equipment is prohibited
15. Duty to determine whether equipment is energised
16. De-energised equipment must not be inadvertently re-energised
17. Licensed electrical worker to take precautions to prevent de-energised equipment from being inadvertently re-energised
18. Electrical work on energised electrical equipment permitted in particular circumstances
19. Preliminary steps
20. Unauthorised access to equipment being worked on
21. Contact with equipment being worked on
22. How work is to be carried out
23. Record keeping

Division 2 - High voltage live line work

24. Performance of high voltage live line work

Division 3 - Testing of work

25. Testing of electrical equipment after electrical work
26. Certificate of testing and safety

Division 4 - Other requirements

27. Electrical equipment with serious defect not to be connected to electricity source
28. Rescue and resuscitation training

Division 5 - Documents about electrical work

29. Application of div 5
30. Who may sign documents about electrical work

Division 6 - General provisions

31. Misrepresentations about electrical equipment or work
32. Misrepresentations about lawful authority to contract for the performance of electrical work

PART 4 - LICENSING

Division 1 - Electrical work licences

33. Classes of electrical work licences
34. This division does not authorise contravention of conditions or restrictions on licence
35. What electrical mechanic licence authorises
36. What electrical linesperson licence authorises
37. What electrical fitter licence authorises
38. What electrical jointer licence authorises
39. What restricted electrical work licence authorises
40. What electrical work training permit authorises
41. External licence equivalents

Division 2 - Electrical work licence requirements

42. General requirements
43. Eligibility requirements for electrical mechanic licence, electrical linesperson licence, electrical fitter licence and electrical jointer licence
44. Eligibility requirements for restricted electrical work licence
45. Eligibility requirements for electrical work training permit
46. Term of electrical work licence

Division 3 - Electrical contractor licence requirements

47. Application of div 3
48. Eligibility requirements for electrical contractor licence
49. Removal of endorsement from electrical contractor licence
50. Automatic suspension and cancellation of electrical contractor licence
51. Insurance requirements for applicant for electrical contractor licence
52. Change of name of corporation or partnership
53. Change in membership of partnership
54. Term of electrical contractor licence

Division 4 - Miscellaneous

55. Eligibility requirements for renewal or reinstatement of electrical licence
56. Application requirements
57. Giving regulator cancelled or suspended licence or licence to be endorsed
58. Replacement of electrical licence
59. Surrender of electrical licence
60. Register of electrical licences
61. Examinations
62. Approved examiners
63. Refund of fees
64. Operation of trade contractor’s licence
65. Advertising by licensed electrical contractor
66. Performing electrical work without electrical licence
67. Details to be included in register of workers

PART 5 - OVERHEAD AND UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC LINES

68. Duty of person conducting a business or undertaking
69. Meaning of unsafe distance for persons, operating plant and vehicles for overhead electric lines

PART 6 - ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

Division 1 - Performing electrical work

70. Licensed electrical worker to comply with wiring rules
71. Person conducting a business or undertaking to ensure electrical installation complies
72. Work involving water equipment
73. Work involving electric motor forming part of vehicle
73A. (Repealed)

Division 2 - Defects and earthing

74. Requirement on person in control to fix defect
75. Earthing

Division 3 - Electric lines

76. Service line
77. Structure supporting electric line or equipment to comply with wiring rules
78. Duty to preserve insulation of electric line
79. Trimming of trees near overhead electric line
80. Duty to ensure safety of disconnected overhead electric line

Division 4 - Installation of approved safety switches in domestic residences

81. Definitions for div 4
82. Notice to transferee about approved safety switch
83. Notice to regulator about approved safety switch and other matters
84. Installation of approved safety switch in particular residences
85. Installation of approved safety switch if residential tenancy agreement entered into or to be entered into
86. Performing electrical installation work for domestic residences

Division 5 - Installation of ceiling insulation

Subdivision 1 - All ceiling insulation

87. Application of sdiv 1
88. Metal or other conductive fasteners not to be used to install ceiling insulation
89. Installation must comply with wiring rules, cl 4.5.2.3
90. Training for assessment of electrical risk
91. Assessment of electrical risk

Subdivision 2 - Electrically conductive ceiling insulation

92. Definitions for sdiv 2
93. Application of sdiv 2
94. Requirement for electrical safety inspection and test
95. Requirement for approved safety switch or permanent marking for electrical circuits
96. Installation requirements for non-capable circuits

Division 6 - Workplace electrical installations

Subdivision 1 - Preliminary

97. Definitions for div 6
98. Meaning of electrical equipment and electrical installation for div 6
99. Meaning of rural industry work

Subdivision 2 - All work

100. Application of sdiv 2
101. Unsafe electrical equipment
102. Cord extension sets and flexible cables

Subdivision 3 - Construction work

103. Application of sdiv 3
104. Requirements for construction wiring and electrical equipment

Subdivision 4 - Manufacturing work

105. Application of sdiv 4
106. Double adaptors and piggyback plugs prohibited
107. Specified electrical equipment
108. Manufacturing work—safety switch
109. Exemption for safety switches
110. Safety switches, including portable safety switches

Subdivision 5 - Service work or office work

111. Application of sdiv 5
112. Specified electrical equipment
113. Safety switches, including portable safety switches

Subdivision 6 - Amusement work

114. Application of sdiv 6
115. Double adaptors and piggyback plugs prohibited
116. Specified electrical equipment
117. Amusement devices and amusement rides
118. Safety switches, including portable safety switches

Subdivision 7 - Rural industry work

119. Application of sdiv 7
120. Requirements for rural industry work

PART 7 - IN-SCOPE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Division 1 - Preliminary

121. Application of pt 7
122. Definitions for pt 7
123. Registration for particular purposes
124. Component is not a separate item
125. Meanings of level 1, level 2 and level 3 in-scope electrical equipment
126. Meaning of relevant standard for level 1 in-scope electrical equipment
127. Meaning of relevant standard for level 2 or 3 in-scope electrical equipment

Division 2 - Registration of responsible suppliers and levels 2 and 3 in-scope electrical equipment

Subdivision 1 - Registration of responsible suppliers

128. Responsible supplier may register
129. Term of registration
130. Renewal of registration
131. Responsible supplier must ensure details in national register are current

Subdivision 2 - Registration of level 2 in-scope electrical equipment

132. Registration
133. Term of registration
134. Renewal of registration

Subdivision 3 - Registration of level 3 in-scope electrical equipment

135. Registration
136. Term of registration
137. Renewal of registration

Subdivision 4 - Acts or omissions

138. Relevant person may be punished only once

Subdivision 5 - Cancellation of registration

139. Grounds for cancelling registration of responsible supplier or level 2 or 3 in-scope electrical equipment
140. Procedure before cancellation
141. Cancellation
142. Cancellation at responsible supplier’s request

Division 3 - Sales of in-scope electrical equipment

143. Sale of level 1 in-scope electrical equipment by responsible supplier
144. Sale of level 2 or 3 in-scope electrical equipment by responsible supplier
145. Sale of in-scope electrical equipment—general
146. Sale of plug etc. with level 1 or 2 in-scope electrical equipment

Division 4 - Evidence of compliance with relevant standards

Subdivision 1 - Level 1 in-scope electrical equipment

147. Responsible supplier to keep evidence

Subdivision 2 - Level 2 in-scope electrical equipment

148. Registered responsible supplier must keep compliance folder

Subdivision 3 - Level 3 in-scope electrical equipment

149. Registered responsible supplier must keep certificate of conformity

Division 5 - Effect of reclassification of in-scope electrical equipment

150. Effect of reclassification

Division 6 - Marking of in-scope electrical equipment

151. Responsible supplier must not sell unmarked item of in-scope electrical equipment
152. Person must not mark in-scope electrical equipment that does not meet relevant standard
153. Mark for use in exceptional circumstances

Division 7 - Certificates of conformity issued by regulator

Subdivision 1 - Applications and terms

154. Application for certificate of conformity
155. Regulator may issue certificate of conformity
156. Term of certificate

Subdivision 2 - Modifications, renewals and transfers

157. Modification of certificate of conformity—change of name or model
158. Modification of certificate of conformity—other than a change of name or model
159. Renewal of certificate of conformity
160. Transfer of certificate

Subdivision 3 - Cancellation

161. Grounds for cancelling certificate of conformity
162. Procedure before cancellation
163. Cancellation at certificate holder’s request
164. Certificate of conformity holder to return certificate if cancelled

Subdivision 4 - Information to be recorded in the national register

165. Information to be recorded in national register

Division 8 - Recognised external certification schemes—Act, section 48J

Subdivision 1 - Preliminary

166. Definitions for div 8

Subdivision 2 - Applications and terms

167. Application for regulator’s declaration of scheme
168. Intention to make declaration must be advertised
169. Decision about application
170. Term of declared scheme

Subdivision 3 - Conditions

171. Regulator may impose conditions on declared scheme
172. Condition imposed by regulation
173. Amendment of conditions imposed by regulator
174. Acting on regulator’s own initiative—general
175. Acting on regulator’s own initiative—electrical risk

Subdivision 4 - Cancellation

176. Grounds for cancelling declaration
177. Procedure before cancellation
178. Cancellation at declaration holder’s request

Subdivision 5 - Other provisions

179. Reporting requirements for declaration holder
180. Declaration holder must comply with equipment safety rules

Division 9 - Regulator may require testing of item of level 1, 2 or 3 in-scope electrical equipment

181. Regulator may require item of in-scope electrical equipment to be submitted
182. Procedure for obtaining item of in-scope electrical equipment for testing
183. Identification of item of in-scope electrical equipment to be tested
184. Cost of testing and examining and liability for damage

Division 10 - Return of in-scope electrical equipment given to regulator

185. Return of item of level 2 or 3 in-scope electrical equipment provided to regulator

Division 11 - Second-hand in-scope electrical equipment

186. Limitation on offering second-hand in-scope electrical equipment for sale

Division 12 - Program for certification of level 1 or 2 in-scope electrical equipment

187. Regulator may establish program for certification

PART 8 - ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT—GENERAL

Division 1 - Requirement for warning sign for sale of particular electrical equipment

188. Definition for div 1
189. Application of div 1
190. Requirement to display DIY warning sign

Division 2 - Prohibition on sale of electrical equipment

191. Sale of electrical equipment prohibited
192. Regulator may prohibit the sale or use of electrical equipment on safety grounds

Division 3 - Labelling and inspection of electrical equipment

193. Labelling faulty portable electrical equipment

Division 4 - Hire electrical equipment

194. Hiring electrical equipment

PART 9 - WORKS OF AN ELECTRICITY ENTITY

Division 1 - Compliance with part

195. Compliance with this part

Division 2 - Earthing and protection

196. Systems of earthing
197. Connection of high voltage circuit to earth
198. Performance and other requirements for works
199. Insulation of stay wire
200. Protection of earth conductors

Division 3 - Substations

201. Substation requirements

Division 4 - Electric lines and control cables

202. Application of div 4
203. Measurement of vertical and horizontal distances
204. Electric lines and control cables
205. Clearance from exposed conductive parts and separation of conductors in same circuit
206. Location of overhead circuit in relation to another overhead circuit
207. Clearance of overhead electric lines from ground
208. Clearance of overhead electric lines from structures
209. Building or adding to structure near electric line
210. Clearance of stay wires and control cables over road
211. Connection to consumer’s premises

Division 5 - Termination requirements for low voltage overhead service lines

212. Termination of low voltage overhead service line

Division 6 - Service lines generally

213. Fuses and disconnectors for service line
214. Disused service lines to be disconnected

Division 7 - Maintenance of works

215. Inspection and maintenance of integrity of insulation
216. Trimming of trees near overhead electric line

PART 10 - ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Division 1 - Connection to source of electricity

217. Electrical installation with serious defect not to be connected to electricity source
218. Electrical installation not to be connected to electricity source if work not tested
219. Electrical installation not to be initially connected to electricity source without examination and testing
220. Reconnection of electrical installation to electricity source
221. High voltage or hazardous area electrical installation not to be connected to electricity source without inspection
222. Compliance with Act and regulation
223. Disconnection and reconnection of low voltage electrical installation

Division 2 - Private generating plant

224. Generating plant for emergency supply
225. Generating plant for interconnection to works of electricity entity

Division 3 - Testing

226. Notice by licensed electrical contractor of test
227. Certificate of testing and compliance
228. Performance of examination or test
229. Reasons to be given for not connecting to source of electricity after examination
230. Keeping copy of report

Division 4 - Requests and advice to distribution entities

231. Request to distribution entity for examination of electrical work
232. Telling distribution entity of need for change to metering

PART 11 - SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Division 1 - Prescribed electricity entities

233. Prescribed electricity entities

Division 2 - Requirements for safety management systems

234. Safety management system requirements

PART 12 - ACCREDITED AUDITORS

235. Appointment
236. Refund of fees
237. Term of office as accredited auditor

PART 13 - CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Division 1 - Preliminary

238. Definitions for pt 13
239. Electrical terms apply for direct current
240. Exclusion from application

Division 2 - Installation and design

241. Installation of cathodic protection system only if preliminary steps taken
242. Correct design and installation of cathodic protection system

Division 3 - Operating requirements

243. Operation of cathodic protection system only on conditions

Division 4 - Testing requirements

244. Tests before registration or operation of system
245. Further tests during period of registration of system
246. Further tests during operation of system
247. Further tests of new foreign structure if required by the regulator
248. Records of tests to be kept
249. Testing by regulator

Division 5 - System requirements

250. Electrical limits
251. Maximum potential change
252. Tolerances
253. Identification of anode groundbed

Division 6 - Registration of registrable systems

254. Register
255. Application for registration of registrable system
256. Refund of fees
257. Registration of registrable system
258. Term of registration
259. Change of name and address
260. Cancellation of registration
261. Taking away or making a registered system inoperable
262. Change to registered system to be notified

PART 14 - INCIDENT NOTIFICATION AND REPORTING

263. Definitions for pt 14
264. Meaning of distribution entity for incident or event
265. Duty of person conducting a business or undertaking to notify of serious electrical incident or dangerous electrical event
266. Duty of distribution entity to notify of serious electrical incident or dangerous electrical event
267. Action required by distribution entity on report of electric shock
268. Report of incident records
269. Duty to preserve incident or event sites
270. Storage of electrical equipment after serious electrical incident
271. Requirement on distribution entity to take action in interests of electrical safety

PART 15 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Division 1 - Electrical safety contributions

272. Purpose of div 1
273. Definitions for div 1
274. Fixing electrical safety contribution for each distribution entity for financial year
275. Payment of electrical safety contribution by instalments

Division 2 - Mines, petroleum plants and prescribed workplaces

276. Application of regulation at mine or petroleum plant
277. Prescribed workplaces—Act, s 18(2)(d)

Division 3 - Other matters

278. Climbing poles of electricity entity prohibited
279. Duties of person conducting a business or undertaking about supervising training person
280. Electrical distribution entity may isolate powerlines in emergency
281. Inspection of entries in registers
282. Provision of information by retailer
283. Provision of information by Residential Tenancies Authority
284. Inspectors’ identity cards
285. Fees
285A. Prescribed Act—Act, s 193
285B. Prescribed person for delegation by regulator—Act, s 122B

PART 16 - REPEAL AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Division 1 - Repeal

286. Repeal of Electrical Safety Regulation 2002

Division 2 - Transitional provisions for Electrical Safety Regulation 2013

287. Definitions for div 2
288. Acts of chief executive under previous provision taken to be acts of regulator under corresponding provision
289. Acts of persons other than chief executive under previous provisions
290. Applications made before commencement
291. Electrical licences
292. Obligation to do thing indefinitely or within or for stated period
293. Eligibility for electrical jointer licence
294. Eligibility for electrical linesperson licence
295. Clearances for lines built before 1 January 1995
296. Termination of low voltage overhead service line built before 1 January 1995
297. Clearances for lines built between 1 January 1995 and 1 October 2002
298. Continued application of obligation to install approved safety switch
299. Continuation of approvals taken to be certificates of conformity
300. Continued application of provisions about marking of in-scope electrical equipment
301. References to repealed regulation

Division 3 - Transitional provisions for Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2018

302. Applications for issue of electrical contractor licences
303. Applications for renewal or reinstatement of electrical contractor licences
SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE 2
SCHEDULE 3
SCHEDULE 4
SCHEDULE 5
SCHEDULE 6
SCHEDULE 7
SCHEDULE 8
SCHEDULE 8A
SCHEDULE 9

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