Queensland Consolidated Regulations

ELECTRICAL SAFETY REGULATION 2013 - REG 17

17 Licensed electrical worker to take precautions to prevent de-energised equipment from being inadvertently re-energised

(1) This section applies if—

(a) a licensed electrical worker is performing electrical work; and

(b) to perform the work, the worker has de-energised, or otherwise isolated from electricity, an item of electrical equipment that is the subject of the electrical work or that is near where the electrical work is being performed; and

(c) to de-energise, or otherwise isolate, the item of electrical equipment, the licensed electrical worker has operated a device; and

(d) while the worker is performing the work, the worker does not have the device under the worker’s sole effective control.

(2) The licensed electrical worker must ensure both of the following—

(a) there is attached to the device, in a prominent position, a warning sign that is suitable in the circumstances, having regard to AS 1319 (Safety signs for the occupational environment);

(b) the device—

(i) when in the open position, is locked; or

Examples for subparagraph (i)—

• using a personal lock to lock an air-conditioner isolator in the open position

• using a locking device that stops a miniature circuit breaker from being closed

• placing a lockable shroud on the male inlet plug of electrical equipment

(ii) is prevented from being accidentally closed.

Examples for subparagraph (ii)—

• disengaging a circuit breaker so that the circuit breaker is separated from the busbars

• removing circuit cables from the fuse or circuit breaker

• insertion of a mechanical restriction

Penalty—

Maximum penalty—40 penalty units.

(3) In this section—

"device" means a circuit breaker, disconnection point, fuse or switch.