Working de-energised
It’s safer to work de-energised.
Work de-energised unless there is no reasonable alternative and all regulatory requirements for safety have been met.
No reasonable alternative means that there is a greater safety risk a situation is de energised.
Working de-energised also applies to all electrical equipment from appliances and cables to switchboards and electrical accessories.
It means isolating and disconnecting power supply and proving that the parts are de-energised before carrying out further work.
Safe isolation
- All sources of electrical voltage will need to be de-energised. This may involve more than one isolation point.
- Remove hazards from other sources of energy, such as spring tension or hydraulic pressure.
- Prominently tag parts that have been de-energised with a warning or safety sign.
- Prove parts are de-energised.
- Remember that you may be working near other exposed live parts.
Refer to Part 3 of the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Electrical Work (PDF File, 740.7 KB) for more details on isolating and disconnecting.