WHS duties

Everyone in the workplace has WHS duties under the model WHS Act. You have specific duties if you are: 

  • a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) 

  • a designer, manufacturer, importer, supplier and installer of plant, substances or structures 

  • an officer. 

The model WHS Regulations outline duties that apply to electrical safety. This includes specific requirements and ways to manage general electrical safety in workplaces and energised electrical work.  

As a PCBU, you must, so far as is reasonably practicable:  

  • ensure the health and safety of workers and others at your workplace  

  • consult with workers who carry out work for the business or undertaking and who are (or are likely to be) directly affected by a health and safety matter, and 

  • consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other relevant duty holders. 

You must eliminate electrical risks at the workplace, so far as is reasonably practicable. If this isn’t possible, you must minimise the risks, so far as is reasonably practicable. 

The model Code of practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace sets out the full legal requirements for businesses. 

Creating a safe workplace 

You must make sure electrical equipment is safe to use at your workplace. If electrical equipment is unsafe equipment, it must not be used, you must ensure it is disconnected from electricity until a competent person repairs or tests it and finds it safe. 

This includes for: 

  • anyone who manages, controls or installs electrical equipment 

  • workers, including contractors, who use electrical equipment. 

Even if you don’t own or didn’t supply the electrical equipment, this duty applies to all PCBUs. 

WHS duties in higher-risk workplaces 

Some workplaces are higher risk if conditions are likely to damage equipment or reduce its lifespan. 

If you work in a higher-risk workplace, you must also: 

  • regularly inspect, test and tag certain electrical equipment 

  • not use such equipment until tested, unless it’s new, unused and has no obvious damage 

  • use residual current devices (RCD). 

Inspecting and testing 

You must ensure a competent person regularly inspects and tests electrical equipment if it’s: 

  • powered through an electrical socket outlet  

  • normally used in a higher-risk workplace environment 

This will detect faults and damage you can’t see.  

Competent person for electrical inspections 

A competent person must perform electrical inspections and testing. They are usually a licensed or registered electrician or a licensed electrical inspector.  

The model work health and safety (WHS) laws do not specify the training or qualifications a competent person needs. 

Your WHS or electrical regulator in your state or territory has more information on competent people. 

When to inspect and test 

A competent person will determine the nature and frequency of inspection and testing. This will depend on the type of electrical equipment and how and where it’s used.  

Usually equipment in higher-risk workplaces need testing at least once every 12 months.  

See manufacturer’s recommendations or Australian Standards for more information, such as:  

  • AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment 

  • AS/NZS 5033:2014 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays. 

Regular inspection and testing is not required if your workplace is lower risk. However, less frequent testing and inspection may still be necessary to ensure it is safe. 

Hire equipment 

If you hire out electrical equipment, you must ensure a competent person inspects and tests it: 

  • before each hire 

  • every 3 months. 

Residual Current Devices 

Use RCDs – also known as safety switches and RCCBs – to protect workers using portable equipment. 

They detect harmful electrical leaks and switch off the electricity supply. 

You must use an RCD if the electrical equipment in your workplace is both: 

  • powered through an electrical socket outlet 

  • used in a high-risk workplace likely to damage or reduce its expected life span. 

Testing RCDs 

You must make sure a competent person regularly tests RCDs to check they’re working effectively. This includes non-portable (fixed) and portable RCDs.