The Electrical Safety Act 2002
Purpose of the Act
Who does the Act apply to?
Structure for consultation and administration of the Act
Purpose of the Act
The Electrical Safety Act 2002 (PDF, 788 KB) is the legislative framework for electrical safety in Queensland.
The purpose of this Act is to prevent people from being killed or injured and property from being destroyed or damaged by electricity. It establishes a framework that:
- imposes obligations on those who may affect the electrical safety of others
- establishes standards for industry and the public through regulations and codes of practice for working around electricity
- establishes safety management systems for electricity entities (including power authorities and Queensland Rail)
- provides a system of licensing for electrical workers and contractors
- provides penalties for breaches of the Act
- provides consumer protection against electrical work not being properly performed or completed
- establishes a consultative structure for industry, workers and the community to participate in improving electrical safety
The Act came into effect on 1 October 2002. In situations where the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB) and the Electrical Safety Act 2002 both apply, the Electrical Safety Act takes precedence.
Note that Part 16 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 covering electrical equipment and installations can now be found in the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 (PDF, 1 MB).
The Electrical Safety Act 2002 is supported by the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 and four codes of practice.
Who does the Act apply to?
The Electrical Safety Act 2002 applies to all:
- electricity entities
- employers
- self-employed persons
- designers of electrical equipment and electrical installations
- manufacturers of electrical equipment
- importers of electrical equipment
- suppliers of electrical equipment
- installers of electrical equipment and electrical installations
- repairers of electrical equipment and electrical installations
- persons in control of electrical equipment
- workers at places where electrical equipment is located
- other persons at places where electrical equipment is located
Section 26 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 also imposes electrical safety obligations on a range of people who may affect the electrical safety of others, including electricity entities, employers, self-employed contractors, workers, designers, manufacturers, importers, installers, repairers and suppliers.
Some provisions of the Act do not apply to:
- a coal mine under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (PDF, 859 KB)
- a mine under the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999(PDF, 711 KB)
- petroleum plant
- parts of railway installations
Structure for consultation and administration of the Act
The Electrical Safety Act 2002 establishes a consultative framework for industry, workers and the community, providing for:
- a Commissioner of Electrical Safety to advise the Minister on electrical safety matters (Section 68 of the Act)
- an Electrical Safety Board and three committees, with representatives of employers, workers and the community, to participate in:
- developing strategies for improving electrical safety
- developing requirements for the licensing and discipline of people who perform electrical work, and for the safety of electrical equipment
- promoting community awareness about electrical safety. (Section 76 of the Act)
- appointed inspectors to monitor and ensure compliance with the Act (Section 122 of the Act)
Last updated 21 July 2009
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