Repairing electrical equipment

• Hazard identification
• Risk assessment
• Control measures

This information is for those working on equipment, machinery or appliances where there is a risk of contact with exposed live electrical parts.

This may include:

• an appliance repairer replacing a mechanical part in an electrical appliance, such as a water hose in an electric dishwasher
• a maintenance worker repairing, replacing, adjusting or calibrating hydraulic components in industrial machinery.

This information may also be useful to electrical workers performing electrical work next to another exposed live electrical part.

Hazard identification

You should follow a basic risk management process as outlines in the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Risk Management (PDF File, 616.5 KB):

• Look at the site and identify any potential hazards
• assess the risk of injuring yourself and other workers
• Use appropriate control measures.

Examples of dangerous situations include:

• exposed live electrical parts
• restricted working space with difficult access to mechanical parts without going very near or touching exposed live electrical parts
• mechanical parts of the appliance moving resulting in accidental contact with exposed live parts.

Risk assessment

Where a hazard has been identified, a risk assessment must be conducted. Some factors to be considered include:

• the type of work being carried out and tools or equipment used
• proximity of the work to exposed live parts
• the conductive natures of the tools and equipment being used.

For a more information on these factors, read of the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts (PDF File, 789.0 KB).

Control measures

Use the preferred hierarchy of control measures when determining safe work practices:

1. Eliminate the hazard which could involve:
   • having the electricity supply to the equipment or situation isolated. When disconnecting equipment from supply by the plug or detachable connection, a method should be used to ensure the equipment is not reconnected while the work is done.
2. Substitute with a less hazardous process or equipment:
   • an example is using non-conductive or insulated tools to perform the work
   • replacing rather than repairing the faulty part could mean shorter downtime and not having to work live.
3. Isolate the hazard which could involve:
   • erecting a physical barrier to prevent direct or indirect contact with electrical hazards.
4. Redesign the equipment or work process which could involve:
   • designing and installing equipment that does not have live parts near the work area.
5. Use appropriate personal protective equipment which may mean using:
   • insulating gloves.

More information on the repair of electrical equipment is available in the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts (PDF File, 789.0 KB).