Retailer's role in electrical safety
Your obligations as a supplier
As the supplier of electrical equipment you have a legal obligation under the Electrical Safety Act 2002to ensure that when the equipment leaves you, it is accompanied by information about its safe electrical use.
You must also comply with any electrical safety notifications issued by the chief executive, Department of Justice and Attorney-General that apply to you.
You must include information about safe use and installation with all electrical equipment you sell.
Display informative point of sale material
There are legislative requirements to display point of sale signs relating to electrical equipment, however, some additional ideas may include:
- Use the posters, brochures and warnings that often come with electrical goods to remind customers they are dealing with a potential electrical safety hazard.
- Display posters and brochures near displays of electrical accessories such as wall switches, electrical cables and socket outlets.
- Most Australian manufacturers put warnings on items about the need to use a licensed person to install the product. Make sure that warning is present. If it’s not, request suitable electrical safety information from the supplier.
- Use technology at point-of-sale to inform customers about electrical safety. Some technology prompts staff to pass information on to customers buying specific products. Other technology prints safety reminders on sales dockets.
Informing your customers
Some additional ways to promote safe use of electrical equipment may include:
- Correcting comments like these:
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- “It’s too expensive to employ an electrician, I’ll do it myself."
- “It’s easy. I can do it.”
- “It’s not dangerous."
- Reminding customers that electricity is dangerous and that’s why there are laws restricting who works with it. It's illegal to do electrical work in Queensland without an electrical licence.
- Advising customers they need a licensed electrical contractor to connect or install their electrical equipment.
- Ensuring your staff are trained and aware of the legal requirements so they can give accurate, responsible and electrically safe advice.