Safety at work
Energex is committed to protecting our customers, the community and electrical workers from the dangers associated with electricity and our distribution network.
It is worthwhile taking the time to read the following safety tips relating to electricity around our network and your resposnbilies when working near it.
Recognising the dangers of electricity and staying alert, could save your life.
Look up and live
Contact with overhead powerlines can be deadly, always Look up and live when your work takes you near overhead powerlines. Some simple precautions can prevent serious injury and costly repairs.
Dial before you dig
Avoid hitting underground power cables by checking with Dial Before You Dig.
Electrical safety
- How to report electric shocks and tingles.
- Responsibilities of business owners around electrical safety.
- Protecting equipment, appliances and yourself.
- Property poles and the responsibility of property owners.
- Things to consider when using private generators.
- Surges and spikes.
Responsibilities of business owners
As a business owner you have obligations under the Electrical Safety Act and Electrical Safety Regulation.
They set specific requirements about electrical equipment and installations to ensure safe use of electricity in the workplace.
The legislation outlines what you must do as a minimum, including:
- Inspecting, testing and tagging electrical equipment and extension cords on a regular basis
- Using safety switches in certain situations
- Removing defective equipment from service
- Removing safety switches from service if they are defective
- Only using power boards which incorporate a safety switch or overload protection device
- Having a licensed electrical contractor to install extra electricity outlets if necessary
- Protecting extension leads and flexible cables from damage, e.g., using a flexible cover to provide protection against crushing or other damage in pedestrian and vehicle traffic areas
Talk to your licensed electrical contractor or Energex to ensure the safe use of electricity in your workplace.
Protecting your equipment, appliances and yourself
The following types of surge protectors are available:
- Portable - a portable surge protector, such as
a surge protection power board, plugs into a power point and provides protection for those appliances connected to it. -
Power point - power point surge protectors replace a conventional power point to provide specific protection for key areas in your home or business.
All surge protectors must be installed by a licensed electrical contractor. - Main switchboard - a surge protector can be installed at your main switchboard by a licensed electrical contractor.
- If you notice dim or flickering lights ring 13 19 62 and never touch your switchboard, meter box, appliances or metal fixtures.
Tip: In the event of a severe storm, turn off and disconnect sensitive electronic equipment.
What to do in an emergency
In the event on an emergency, find out what Energex recommends you do.
More information
Fact sheets
- Look up and live - working near powerlines (major construction) (PDF 150.5 kb)
- Look up and live - working near powerlines (Tradesperson) (PDF 124.7 kb)
- Dial before you dig - working near power cables (PDF 201.5 kb)
- Working near Energex assets on construction sites (PDF 154.3 kb)
- A guide to working near the Energex network (PDF 0 bytes)
- Highload escorts - 1043: Notification to Transport by Road Under Electricity Authority Lines (PDF 36.4 kb)
- Highload escorts - 2129: Application for 12 Month Approval to Transport High Loads (PDF 29.3 kb)
- Highload escorts - 2133: High Load Escorts Summary (includes copy of 1043) (PDF 36.9 kb)
- Community Safety Plan (PDF 1.2 mb)
- Health and Safety Policy (PDF 161.8 kb)
Contact us
Phone:
13 12 53
Disclaimer
This is not an exhaustive list of all safety matters that need to be considered. Whilst care is taken in the preparation of this material, Energex does not guarantee, to the extend permitted by law, the accuracy and completeness of information.
To the extend permitted by law, Energex will not be responsible for any loss, damage or costs incurred as a result of any errors omissions or misrepresentations in relation to the material in this document or for any possible actions ensuing from information contained above.
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