Audit update

Rural workplaces audit

Audits were carried out on 42 rural properties from April to June this year in the wake of a spate of rural fatalities.

The audits concentrated on awareness and implementation of the Code of Practice – Electrical Equipment Rural Industry and how risks associated with overhead powerlines and other risk factors are being addressed to minimise risk.

Results will be analysed and the findings released later in the year.

Spotlight on the electrical contractors project

Last issue we reported the progressive findings for one of the two targeted groups in this project – employers or self employed people who hold an electrical contractor’s licence.

This issue we have some progressive findings for the other targeted groups – those people with a trade contractor’s licence under the Queensland Building Services Authority (BSA) Regulation 2003 who can perform electrical work while undertaking their operational work, i.e. refrigeration, air-conditioning and plumbing trade contractors. The target group of BSA licence holders are those businesses which do not hold an electrical contractor’s licence.

Areas requiring improvement already include:

• the need to issue a Certificate of Test
• obligation awareness
• understanding and implementation of live work provisions (note: testing is regarded as live work, e.g. the use of a voltmeter or test lamps.)
• use of safe systems for work around electrical parts
• availability of records and suitability of safety equipment and test instruments
• availability of a system for testing electrical equipment
• understanding in electrical installation testing
• effective management of workers
• availability and use of relevant information and how
  information is distributed, availability of documents,
  i.e. legislation, codes of practice, safety alerts,
  wiring rules and wiring rules FAQs (frequently asked
  questions), and how information is disseminated in
  business e.g. tool box talks.

Spotlight on the electrical repairers project

This project is based on a compliance audit of a random selection of workplaces whose business operations include the performance of repairing electrical equipment. The target group are those businesses which do not hold an electrical contractor’s licence.

Under the Act, businesses do not require an electrical contractor’s licence where the work performed is at the electrical repairer’s workshop and the repairer has systems in place to ensure the electrical safety of the workers and the product. However an electrical contractor’s licence would be required where the repairer performs electrical repair work at their client’s place.

Results are progressive but categories indentified for improvement are listed below.

Electrical repairers who perform repair work within their workshop

• awareness of obligation
• have a documented system to ensure work is done safely and competently
• have a system in written form that requires testing to ensure compliance with relevant standards
• ensure people not necessary for testing are safe

Electrical repairers who perform the repair work at their client’s workplace

• awareness of obligation
• have an electrical contractors license and ensure qualified and technical people are employees
• issue a Certificate of Test

The next issue of ESOutlook will highlight:

• employers (non electrical contractors) who employ electrical workers at production workplaces, hospital or resorts, and
• rural industry audit projects.