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Findings report: Electrical safety in construction 2024

Findings report: Electrical safety in construction 2024

Project timeframe: 13/05/2024 – 13/11/2024

Visits: 431

Summary and overview

Working with and around electricity is dangerous and can be fatal or cause serious injury.

Over the past 10 years, there have been over 500 major workers compensation claims recorded for incidents involving "contact with electricity," including 16 fatalities. The most common electrical risks included hitting overhead and underground powerlines, working on live equipment (cables and wiring), damaged equipment and arc flashes.

The 2024 Electrical Safety in Construction project ran from May-November 2024 with the objective of reducing contact with electricity within the NSW building and construction sector. SafeWork NSW Inspectors observed the need for continued focus on:

Safety when working close to overhead powerlines and underground assets.
Inspection and testing of wiring, switchboards, transportable structures and portable outlet assemblies.
Inspection and testing of flexible cords and power tools.
Checking for faulty equipment with observations of damaged flexible cords or damaged leads on power tools on sites.
Non-electrical workers being exposed to energised conductors or wiring with the main reason being, that pole filler gaps were not being filled.
Appropriate accreditation, consultation with electricity supply authority(s), and the use of spotters.
Hazard identification and risk management using apps, such as ‘Look up and Live’.

Key findings

Areas of non-compliance

48% PCBUs did not identify the voltage of powerlines they were working near to establish appropriate controls.
25% of construction switchboards were not compliant with AS/NZS 3012.
38% of buildings with a lift shaft, were not supplied from a separate final sub-circuit at the switchboard.
41% of flexible cords, power tools and portable outlets were not tested and tagged by a competent person.
24% of construction wiring, switchboards & transportable structures were not inspected and tested by a licensed electrician.

Areas of compliance

It was pleasing to note high compliance in the following areas:

Workers provided with information and instruction on how to work safely on or near electrical hazards.
Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) plans had been obtained where necessary
SWMS in place for working near overhead powerlines and/or underground electrical assets.

Education and awareness

SafeWork's 2024 awareness campaign focused on education prior to the program kicking off. SafeWork NSW delivered a TAFE Spotlight presentation to 53 groups (approximately 140 people), including classes of 2nd and 3rd year apprentices to raise awareness of electrical risks and adequate control measures.

Communications included a social media campaign on Facebook, and Electronic Direct Mail to 59,066 electrical licence holders and 44 peak bodies, training organisations and big business.

SWNSW Inspectors engaged with persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU’s), principal contractors, site supervisors and workers about safe temporary power installations, overhead and underground services, and electrical testing of power tools, leads, and other electrical equipment.

Inspectors also provided advice and education about common electrical safety concerns to prioritise electrical apprentices and other young workers understanding electrical standards and checking for faulty equipment.

Inspector proactive site visits

Inspectors visited 431 sites including:

94 commercial
5 demolition
221 house construction
57 infrastructure
35 mid-high rise
19 other*

*Other: civil, home renovation, school, aged care facility, amusement device and warehouse.

Notices and fines

Inspectors continue their zero-tolerance approach to workers being placed at risk from contact with electricity issuing 682 compliance notices, including more than $134,820 in on-the-spot fines for serious safety risks.

Inspector observations

Data was collected by SafeWork NSW Inspectors by completing a checklist on site. The checklist covered the key areas of managing electrical risk including planning, consultation and communication, overhead powerlines/ underground assets and consultation with electricity supply authority(s) plans, Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) and using the Look up and Live app.

Other risk areas included switchboards and energised wiring, testing and tagging, transportable buildings and electricians on site.

The data collected by SafeWork NSW Inspectors through the checklist indicated the following key findings.

Planning consultation and communication

Has a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) been developed for work on or near energised electrical installations for this site (other than for powerlines and underground assets), where required?

Yes 95%
No 5%

Have workers been consulted on the SWMS and/or safe systems of work, for work on or near electricity?

Yes 95%
No 5%

Have workers been provided information and instruction on how to work safely on or near electrical hazards?

Yes 93%
No 7%

Overhead powerlines/underground assets

Has a SWMS been developed for working near overhead powerlines and/or underground electrical assets, where required?

Yes 95%
No 5%

Has the PCBU obtained current Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) plans, where required?

Yes 95%
No 5%

Has the PCBU used the Look up and Live app to identify the voltage of powerlines?

Yes 52%
No 48%

Has the PCBU consulted with electricity supply authority(s) for work near overhead powerlines and/or underground electrical assets, where required?

Yes 85%
No 15%

If the electricity supply authority has recommended specific controls for work near overhead powerlines and/ or underground electrical assets, are they in place?

Yes 84%
No 16%

Are spotters/ safety observers being used when working near overhead powerlines?

Yes 77%
No 23%

Are all spotters/ safety observers appropriately trained? (Must have undertaken "Working safely near live apparatus" training)

Yes 82%
No 18%

For any worker working within the accredited person zone of the overhead powerlines, do they hold the appropriate accreditation? (As per the supply authority requirements)

Yes 76%
No 24%

Are delivery vehicles and plant operating at a safe distance from overhead powerlines? (Including when items are being transported, loaded or unloaded from the vehicle)

Yes 95%
No 5%

Construction switchboards and wiring

Are all switchboards constructed of robust material capable of withstanding mechanical damage and readily accessible?

Yes 97%
No 3%

Are all construction switchboards compliant with AS/NZS 3012?

Yes 75%
No 25%

Is construction wiring protected against damage?

Yes 93%
No 7%

Exposure to energised wiring (other than powerlines and underground assets)

Do all work areas have a safe system of work that prevents re-energisation of electricity, where required?

Yes 97%
No 3%

If no, what were the deficiencies in their system that wouldn't prevent re-energisation of electricity to the work areas?

The main deficiencies within energised systems were pole filler gaps, open covers on the main switch board, no lock out / tag out and gaps in relation to bus bars.

Are non-electrical workers at risk of coming into contact with exposed energised conductors/ wiring?

Yes 7%
No 93%

If yes, what were the circumstances that placed non-electrical workers at risk of coming into contact with exposed energised conductors/ wiring?

The main circumstances were pole filler gaps, mains switch board open or with missing covers, no lock out / tag out and wiring.

Testing and tagging

Are construction wiring, switchboards & transportable structures inspected and tested by a licensed electrician following the initial installation and in a period not exceeding six months?

Yes 76%
No 24%

Are all flexible cords, plugs, sockets & tools commercial grade?

Yes 94%
No 6%

Are all flexible cords, power tools and portable outlet assemblies tested and tagged by a competent person, in date with records kept?

Yes 59%
No 41%

Did you identify damaged flexible cords or damaged leads on power tools that were in use on site?

Yes 13%
No 87%

Transportable buildings and lift shafts

Is the supply of power to transportable buildings compliant with AS/NZS 3012?

Yes 90%
No 10%

If the building has a lift shaft, is it supplied from a separate final sub-circuit at the switchboard?

Yes 62%
No 38%

Electricians on site

Are all electricians using the appropriate electrical trade tools?

Yes 100%

Are all electricians using appropriate PPE when working on or near exposed energised conductors?

Yes 100%

Are all electrical workers appropriately licenced to undertake the work they are doing?

Yes 100%

Are all apprentices who are carrying out electrical work adequately supervised?

Yes 99%
No 1%

Were any of the electricians working on or near exposed energised conductors/wiring?

Yes 14%
No 86%

If they were working on or near exposed energised conductors/ wiring, why did they tell you it was necessary to do so?

The main reasons were limited access to parts of the building and not relocating work despite consultation with the service provider.

Conclusion

Working with electricity is high-risk work. SafeWork NSW is urging industry to undertake adequate risk assessments when working around overhead powerlines/underground assets, and ensure construction wiring switchboards, flexible cords, power tools or portable outlet assemblies are inspected and tested in accordance with AS/NZS 3012.

There should be improved focus by PCBUs to utilise available resources such as the Look up and Live app and working with the electricity supply authorities to develop safe systems of work.

Focus also needs to be improved for ensuring the following:

Construction switchboard compliance.
Separate sub-circuit at the switchboard for buildings with a lift shaft.
Flexible cords, power tools and portable outlets are inspected and tested.
Construction wiring, switchboards and transportable structures are inspected by a licensed electrician.