Update on audits

The Electrical Safety Office is currently implementing an audit program that supports the Electrical Safety Plan for Queensland.

The 2007–08 statewide audit program targets priority areas for improvement in electrical safety to reduce electrical incidents and subsequent fatalities, serious injuries and property damage.

Audits are currently continuing on:

• electrical contractors
• operators of cathodic protection systems
• construction sites and availability of electrical work
  licences
• people advertising the performance of electrical work
• licence and supervision validation audit of visa
  workers
• electrical licence application compliance
• the sale of new electrical equipment products
• second hand retail businesses
• businesses installing thermal insulation in roof space
• electrical repairers who do not hold an electrical
  contractor’s licence
• caravan manufacturers and
• non-electrical contractors who employ electrical
  workers (production workplaces, hospital and
  resorts).

Results of the 2006–07 campaign

Electrical repairers audit project

This compliance audit covered a random selection of workplaces whose business operations included the
performance of repairing electrical equipment. Under the Act these businesses do not require an electrical contractor’s licence.

Opportunities for improvement included:

• obligation awareness
• having a documented system to ensure work is done
  safely and competently
• having a system in written form that requires testing
  to ensure compliance with relevant standards.
  

Employers (production workplaces, hospital and resorts) audit project

This project was based on a compliance audit of
employers, other than electrical contractors such as
factories, hospitals and resorts, who employ electrical
workers, including electrical apprentices.

Opportunites for improvement included:

• obligation awareness
• contents of a safe system of work in relation to live work
• employees awareness of the safe system for live work
• use of safe systems for work around electrical parts
• understanding safety tag and log out requirements
• availability of a system for testing electrical equipment
• awareness of electrical installation testing procedures
• availability and use of relevant information e.g. standards or codes of practice
• availability of records and suitability of safety equipment and test instruments
• understanding high voltage isolation and access requirements
• understanding legislative requirements for high voltage or hazardous electrical installation.

Electrical contractors audit project

The main aim of this audit was to ascertain whether systems/measures were in place that ensure electrical contractors and their workers are working in a manner which keeps them electrically safe and ensures other persons and property are free from electrical risk.

Opportunities for improvement included:

• understanding required circumstances/decision for performance of live work
• understanding requirements for performance of live work
• contents of a safe system of work for live work including employees awareness of the safe system of work
• availability of records and suitability of safety equipment and test instruments
• availability and use of relevant information (how information is distributed, availability of documents i.e. legislation, codes of practice, safety alerts, wiring rules and wiring rules frequently asked questions (FAQs), and how information is disseminated in business e.g. tool box talks).