Findings Report: Electrical Safety in Construction 2022-23

A findings report into the Electrical Safety in Construction Compliance project which ran from February - June 2023.

Project timeframe: 06/02/2023 - 01/06/2023

Sites: 269

Summary and overview

In line with the outcomes detailed in the SafeWork NSW WHS Roadmap 2022 to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in the key focus area of the Construction Sector, SafeWork NSW focused on Electrical Safety in Construction. The SafeWork NSW Building and Construction Sector Plan identified contact with electricity as a targeted harm based on the construction industry workers compensation claims.

To tackle this issue, the Electrical Safety in Construction Compliance project was launched in February 2023 and concluded in June 2023.  The main aim of this project was to improve compliance with electrical safety regulations and raise awareness about the primary causes of electrical incidents in the construction industry, as well as ways to prevent them.

Types of sites

Inspectors visited 269 sites:

  • commercial - 47
  • demolition - 2
  • house construction - 141
  • infrastructure - 39
  • mid-high rise - 30
  • other, such as facade remediation (heritage building), mixed purpose commercial and residential, house renovation, roof replacement, restoration work, civil and low-rise unit complex - 10

Notices and fines

  • Notices - 401
  • Fines - $41,472.00

Inspector observations

The results below are from Inspectors observations and interactions with businesses during the project. Inspectors completed a checklist throughout the project which focused on  the main risk areas in the electrical industry. Site inspections focused on ensuring workers remained safe and maintained appropriate distances from overhead powerlines and were implementing the required safety controls in accordance with the energy provider and NSW regulations.

Overhead/underground powerlines

Is work, people, plant, or thing associated with the construction site at risk of coming within an unsafe distance of overhead or underground powerlines?

  • yes 37%
  • no 63%

Has the PCBU consulted with and implemented any specific control measures identified by the relevant electricity supply authority(s) acknowledging notification of the work near the powerlines?

  • yes 90%
  • no 10%

Have plant operators and spotters undertaken accredited training "Working safely near live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker"?

  • yes 97%
  • no 3%

Are current and relevant Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) plans available where required?

  • yes 98%
  • no 2%

Has a SWMS been developed for working near live power, where required?

  • yes 95%
  • no 5%

Temporary site power

Are all distribution board's in good order and constructed of robust material capable of withstanding mechanical damage?

  • yes 91%
  • no 9%

Are energised (live) parts in the distribution board's effectively protected at all times against contact by workers? E.g. pole fillers

  • yes 92%
  • no 8%

Are all distribution boards adequately and legibly labelled, including DB number (if more than 1 on site), point of origin of supply, and signage warning of live equipment within switchboard?

  • yes 80%
  • no 20%

Is each switchboard provided with a marked isolating switch which will isolate supply to all sub-circuits and sub-mains originating from the switchboard, including socket outlets on the switchboard?

  • yes 95%
  • no 5%

Are all appliances, luminaires, and other electrical equipment supplied from an RCD protected circuit that is fixed at the switchboard or incorporated into a GPO or portable GPO assembly?

  • yes 97%
  • no 3%

Leads and power tools

Are power leads, cables, plugs, sockets & tools commercial grade, in good working order with no visible damage and tagged & tested, in date with records kept?

  • yes 63%
  • no 37%

Transportable Buildings, lift shafts

Are site/amenities sheds, etc. supplied from a sub-main or final sub-circuit originating at a circuit breaker on a construction wiring switchboard?

  • yes 94%
  • no 6%

If the building has a lift shaft, is construction wiring dedicated to the installation of lift shaft equipment fed from a separate final sub-circuit at the switchboard and protected by 30mA RCD?

  • yes 95%
  • no 5%

Inspection, testing, and record keeping

Are construction wiring, switchboards & transportable structures inspected & tested by a licensed electrician on installation & at least six monthly?

  • yes 70%
  • no 30%

Are apprentices carrying out electrical work adequately supervised?

  • yes 55%
  • no 45%

What’s not working and requires improvement:

  • safe working distance from underground and overhead power
  • adequate safety signage on distribution boards
  • supervision of apprentices
  • power cables, leads, sockets and tools with visible damage and not tagged & tested
  • inspection and testing of construction wiring, switchboards & transportable structures.

Conclusion

During the 2022-23 project, inspectors observed the need for continued focus on safety when working with live electrical equipment, both overhead and underground power, testing and tagging of power leads, cables, and power tools. Regular inspections by a licensed electrician were also required for construction wiring, switchboards, and transportable structures.

Young workers, especially those between 15-24 years old, are at a higher risk of accidents due to their lack of experience in the workplace, particularly on busy construction sites. Electrical services accounted for 15% of accidents for this age group in the construction industry between 2020-23.1 Inspectors found that apprentices on construction sites were not being properly supervised, and SafeWork will prioritise this during the next round of compliance visits in 2024.

The compliance level was high for relevant Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) plans, Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for working near live power, accredited training, switchboard, distribution board, appliances, luminaires, and other electrical equipment. The project aimed to address on-site electricity safety risks and target the most at-risk occupations through webinars, a media campaign, and the promotion of new penalties relating to electrical safety.

SafeWork will continue to work with major industry stakeholders through its state-wide dedicated construction teams to increase awareness, education, and improve overall safety standards and commitment to on-site electricity safety risks.

SafeWork NSW will now focus on the following areas for the next electrical safety compliance visits:

  • electrical apprentices and other young workers
  • understanding the requirement for effective Lockout Tagout (LOTO) which are used to ensure that equipment or systems are shut down, inoperable, and (where relevant) de-energized prior to any maintenance or repair work
  • testing for dead
  • compliance with AS/NZS 3012 Standard – Electrical installations - Construction and demolition sites
  • powerlines – plant (e.g., excavator) operators and transport
  • electricians leaving unfinished work unsafe
  • checking for underground services
  • faulty equipment
  • sub floor and ceiling space – isolation and other hazards e.g., other works
  • electrical mains from street
  • water and electricity – hazardous environments.

Useful resources

Codes of practice

[1] All State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) reportable claims entered between 1 January 2020 - 30 June 2023 by Industry, where the claimant’s age when the injury occurred or when the disease was first reported to the employer is between 15-24 years.

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