What is live work?
Live work means electrical work performed under circumstances in which the part of the electrical equipment that is the subject of the electrical work is energised.
Examples include:
- testing components of a television set that’s switched on to carry out a repair;
- testing to ensure correct connections (including polarity); or
- tightening the terminals of live circuit breakers.
Live work is dangerous
It may be necessary to do some live work to test equipment.
Working ‘live’ should only be performed when there is no reasonable alternative.
A ‘reasonable alternative’ does not mean not wanting to take the time to de-energise because you are in a hurry.
Live work may be considered if working de-energised poses greater safety risks.
In many circumstances, the risks associated with undertaking electrical work near exposed live parts can be equivalent to those associated with live electrical work.
Evaluation of the risks and development of controls as required in Section 12 ‘Requirements for performance of live work’of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 will provide assistance in developing safe work practices in such circumstances.
The following risk assessment model can be found in the Workplace Health and Safety Risk Management Code of Practice 2007 while the table below provides examples of applied risk assessment and control measures.
Risk assessment model
Example of a risk assessmment
| Electrical equipment | Hazard |
Risk |
Risk level |
Control measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Main switchboard |
If removed fuses have exposed live parts |
Electric shock and explosion |
Low |
Regular visual check Replace fuses by suitably trained person |
Workshop lighting is within arm’s reach |
If internal parts of light fittings are accessed |
Electric shock |
Low |
Regular visual check Have safety switch installed for lights Electrical maintenance work only by licensed electrical persons |
Poles, cross arms and overhead lines |
If damaged by vehicle or other incident |
Electric shock |
Medium |
Protect poles from vehicular damage by barricading or by administrative controls |
Refrigeration equipment |
May have moisture ingress |
Corrosion, electric shock risk |
Medium |
Regular inspection and maintenance Electrical maintenance work only by licensed electrical persons |
Socket outlets in workplace |
May have unsafe equipment plugged in, or outlets or wiring damaged |
Electric shock |
Medium |
Regular visual check Maintenance plan for plug in equipment and safety switch protection |
Live work is restricted
The Code of Practice - Electrical Work limits live work tasks to minimise dangers.
Breaching the code carries maximum penalties.
Last updated July 22, 2009
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