Electrical Equipment Risk Assessment

Background
The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Electrical Equipment) Regulation 2006 amends the previous legislative provisions contained
in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (the Regulation). The amending regulation specifically identifies working environments
where testing and tagging of electrical equipment is required, such as electrical equipment used for construction work (as defined in the
Regulation) and electrical equipment used in other ‘hostile operating environments’.

Furthermore, the OHS Regulations also outline requirements for all electrical hazards to be risk assessed and controls identified (including for
any electrical equipment identified as not being operated in a hostile environment).

Purpose
The purpose of the CSU Risk Electrical Equipment Risk Assessment is to assist managers to undertake and record a risk assessment on
electrical equipment used within their workplace and to assist managers to identify any such electrical items that are classified as being
operated and a ‘hostile environment’ and as such require electrical testing and tagging in accordance with AS3760.

Instructions for completing the risk assessment:

1. In the table below, fill in the details for each column for any plug-in type electrical equipment used in the workplace.
2. Identify any possible hazards associated with the normal use of that equipment and determine a risk score for each hazard using the
CSU ‘Risk Score’ (attachment 1).
3. Identify the operating environment of your equipment (hostile or non-hostile) using the guidance material provided and therefore any
need for electrical testing and tagging in accordance with AS3760.
4. For equipment that has been assessed as being used in a ‘hostile operating environment’ inspection and testing in accordance with
AS/NZS 3760 MUST be arranged and the test results recorded and maintained.
5. List controls (other than testing and tagging) to be used to manage the electrical hazards identified. Where required, hazard controls
should be identified for equipment in both hostile and non-hostile operating environments.
6. You should review this risk assessment and inspection record if there is a change in equipment use / location or if an electrical incident
occurs.

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Additional Information:
 Hostile environment - a hostile operating environment means an operating environment at a place of work where an electrical article is
in its normal use subjected to operating conditions that are likely to result in damage to the article, and, for example, includes an
operating environment that may:
a) Cause mechanical damage to the article, or
b) Expose the article to moisture, heat, vibration, corrosive substances or dust that is likely to result in damage to the article.’

 New equipment - In Australia, when the equipment is new, the supplier is deemed responsible for the initial electrical safety of the new
equipment. New equipment need not be inspected or tested. The owner or Responsible Person shall regard it as compliant and, if
assessed as being operated in a hostile environment, ensure it is appropriately tagged (see next point for advice on what constitutes
appropriate tagging).

 Compliant equipment shall be fitted with a durable, non-reusable, non metallic tag or other indicator. Special equipment shall not be
required to identify the equipment (note: This shall not preclude tags from also bearing a code to facilitate electronic data collection).
The tag, which may be colour coded to identify the period in which the test was performed, shall include:
a) The name of the person or company who performed the tests; and
b) The test or inspection date, and may also include a re-test date.

 Records of maintenance, including (but not limited to) inspections and tests, should be kept throughout the working life of the electrical
equipment.

 Equipment not operated in a ‘Hostile Environment’ - NSW OHS Regulations requires employers to ensure that any risk of injury from
electricity at a place of work is eliminated or, if elimination is not reasonably practicable, the risk is controlled. A risk assessment must
therefore still be carried out on electrical equipment not identified as being used on a hostile environment. After the risk assessment,
although testing and tagging will not be required, you can still implement a range of control measures to manage the safe operation of
this electrical equipment that is used in the workplace.

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 Electrical Equipment Risk Assessment Form

Date Risk Assessment completed: Location/Area Risk Assessment:

Complete By (list names of all those present):

1.
2.
3.
4…….

Risk Score (see attached)

Equipment Equipment Potential hazards
Description location (provide a Is the environment a “hostile environment” List controls other than testing and
brief description or is the power cord subject to frequent tagging to be used to manage electrical
of operating flexing/extending when in normal use? hazards (e.g. routine visual checks,
environment) training on safe use, use of fixed or
(*see below table for additional information) portable residual current devices (RCDs)
more commonly known as safety
List any Testing and tagging Switches, etc)
environmental factors required?
that could cause the YES / NO Controls must be identified for “Non-
environment to be (NB – if any aspects of hostile environments” (in accordance
classified as ‘hostile’ the environment are with Clause 64(1) of the OHS Regulation.
or comments about ‘hostile’ or the cord is
power cord flexed/extended in
flex/extension. normal use, equipment
requires test and tag)
If none, write ‘Nil’
(if YES, arrange testing
and tagging in
accordance with
AS3760 and records
results)

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 sider Likelihood and Consequence of event occurring from hazards you identified.

E.g. Kettle Kitchenette,  Electrocution Moderate risk  Moisture 1. RCDs to be installed

next to sink and  Damaged  Heat
microwave cord  Cord is Yes
subject to
flexing and
extending
E.g. Desk Desk top of  Electrocution Acceptable  Nil No 1. RCDs to be installed

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Printer office risk  Cord not 2. Routine visual inspection as part
extending in of normal workplace inspections
normal use.


* What is a Hostile Environment?

Is the electrical equipment, when used in normal operation, exposed to any of the following items that might result in damage to the equipment
or reduction in its expected life span:
 Mechanical damage?
 Moisture?
 Heat?
 Vibration?
 Corrosive substances?
 Dust?

If ‘YES’ to any of the above, the environment is considered ‘hostile’ according to AS/NZS 3760 and testing/tagging of the electrical equipment
will be required.

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 Attachment 1

RISK SCORE

2. What is the likelihood of the risk occurring?

1. What is the
severity of the Very likely Likely Unlikely Very unlikely
outcome for this Could happen Could happen Could happen, Could happen,
type of risk any time sometime but very rarely but probably never will
(consequence)?
Kill or cause
permanent
disability Very High Risk Very High Risk High Risk Substantial Risk

Long term illness

or serious injury
Very High Risk High Risk Substantial Risk Moderate Risk
Medical attention
and several days
off work High Risk Substantial Risk Moderate Risk Acceptable Risk

First Aid needed

Substantial Risk Moderate Risk Acceptable Risk Low Risk

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