Class specific work requirements
- Definitions
- Construction work requirements
- Manufacturing work requirements
- Service work and office work requirements
Definitions
Classes of work
There are six classes of work under the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 (PDF File, 1.02 MB) with different requirements for electrical safety management including testing and inspection of equipment and safety switch protection.
The six classes of work are:
- construction work
- manufacturing work
- service work
- office work
- amusement work
- rural industry work.
Specified electrical equipment
Amusement, manufacturing and rural industry specified electrical equipment is:
- equipment connected by a flexible cord and plug to low voltage supply
- has a current rating not exceeding 20 Amps.
An example is a bench grinder plugged in to a power point.
Service and office work specified electrical equipment is equipment that:
- is connected by a flexible cord and plug to low voltage supply
- has a current rating at or below 20 Amps
- is moved during its normal use for the purpose of its use.
Examples are handheld blow dryers, portable power saws or vacuum cleaners.
Specified electrical equipment includes extension leads or portable outlet devices such as powerboards.
Construction work requirements
Employers and self-employed people must ensure that all electrical equipment for the performance of work is in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations - Construction and demolition sites (non-Queensland Government link).
An employer or self employed person whose business or undertaking is done at a construction workplace and is the principal contractor for the construction workplace must ensure that all construction wiring at the workplace is in accordance with AS/NZS 3012.
Manufacturing work requirements
Employers and self-employed people must make sure:
- double adaptors and piggyback plugs are not used
- specified electrical equipment is inspected, tested and tagged by a competent person at prescribed intervals
- specified electrical equipment is connected to a type 1 or 2 safety switch. This must be an installed safety switch
- safety switches are tested at prescribed intervals
- any electrical equipment is immediately taken out of use if it is not safe
- safety switches are taken our of use if they are not working properly.
Service work and office work requirements
Employers and self-employed people must make sure:
- specified electrical equipment is inspected and tested by a competent person at prescribed intervals and immediately withdrawn from use if it is not safe to use
- or
- specified electrical equipment is connected to a type 1 or 2 safety switch. The safety switch must be tested at prescribed intervals and withdrawn from use if it is not working properly.