Electrical Equipment Work Environment

This procedure has been developed to assist UWA employees in carrying out an inspection of their workplace to determine the risk of damage to electrical equipment in their normal working environment and the subsequent possibility of harm to users of the electrical equipment. The risk assessment requires a knowledge of the potential risks of a work process and good judgement to remove or manage risks.

It is essential to involve the workplace occupants in the development of the risk assessment and workplace inspection as they may be aware of hazards and risks that are not evident to the casual observer.

The outcome of the process of carrying out a workplace inspection and risk assessment will be the determination that the workplace is either a Non Hostile Environment or a Hostile Environment for electrical equipment. If the work environment is assessed as Non Hostile, then tagging  and regular visual inspections are required. If it is assessed as being a Hostile Environment, then regular testing and tagging to AS/NZS 3760:2003 is required.

This Risk Assessment must be kept on file as part of your safety records as a requirement of AS/NZS 3760:2003 and WorkSafe WA.

A Non Hostile Environment is a workplace that is dry, clean, well organised and free of operating conditions that is less likely to result in damage to electrical equipment or the flexible supply cord.

A Hostile Environment is one wherein the equipment or appliance is normally subject to events or operating conditions that are more likely to result in damage to the equipment or a reduction in its expected lifespan. This includes but is not limited to physical abuse, exposure to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive chemicals, and dust.

A walk through inspection of a workplace needs to be carried out at regular intervals, the frequency being determined by the hazards associated with the work area. These visual inspections are normally carried out by the local Safety Officer, Safety and Health Representative and the occupants of the area in order to have local involvement of the safety process. When done in conjunction with a suitable checklist, these regular  inspections provide a proactive approach to workplace safety.
The UWA Electrical Safety pamphlet describes what electrical hazards to look for and how to prevent them occurring.

As a guide, Non Hostile Environment areas such as offices should be visually inspected at least annually, low hazard areas such as student laboratories and workshops should be inspected six monthly and hazardous locations such as construction sites and high risk laboratories should be visually inspected every three months.

A record of inspection must be kept showing the results of the visual inspection, any hazards identified, any deficiencies or faulty equipment and corrective action taken to reduce risks and replace or repair faulty equipment.