Quick Clean-Up Tips

Hazard Alert Notification

HAZARD ALERT DETAILS

Hazard Alert No LFAIT_01

Electrical hazards including Hazard Alert solar and alternate power Title sources

Who should be LAA Contractors under Contract aware of this No. 1500755, located hazard throughout NSW

Loose-fill Asbestos Issued by Implementation Taskforce (LFAIT)

Division NSW Fair Trading

For more information contact Employee Safety and Wellbeing at [email protected].

Document No: WHSMS 4.002A (March 2014) Page 2

The purpose of this hazard alert is to inform LAA’s of other potential electrical risks when entering ceiling spaces. Under The Services agreement for contract no. 1500755 LAA’s are required to ensure electrical safety, disconnect main power to the house and advise the home owner that power has been disconnected.

Hazards to be alert for when disconnecting power  Safe access to the switch board - a site hazard assessment will help identify this eg. excess vegetation/location/presence of animals and suitable controls should be initiated by the LAA  Metal surrounds of switchboard are live due to electrical faults - a proximity tester/volt stick may be used to check the metal surround before opening the main switch board  The power is inadvertently turned back on - in addition to advising the home Description of owner controls may include tagging and locking out the mains switch Hazard Alert  The power is not isolated – this may be identified by turning on an electrical device/light switch before isolating the power then checking the appliance/light after to check for the presence of power  Electrical appliances such as water have a separate switch – this could be managed by turning off all switches and circuit breakers on the main switch board

The above is not exhaustive and LAA’s should be alert for additional electrical hazards. Where these are observed LAA’s should initiate suitable risk management strategies and notify the Principal.

If you are not able to safely access the ceiling cavity do not proceed. Advise the Principle and await further instructions.

For more information contact ESW at [email protected].

Document No: OHSMS 4.002A (February 2010) Version 2.2 Page 3

Additional power sources LAA’s should be aware that turning off the power at the mains may not remove all risk. Some circuits may still be live. Additional sources of power may include:  Solar power; Where solar panels are installed the wiring from the solar panels to the inverter unit at ground level will be live when solar panels are generating electricity. Care should be taken to avoid contact with any wiring. Roof penetration points may be observed to indicate where wiring may be located. Solar wires are not easily identified and cannot be tested for electricity using a proximity tester so  Back-up power such as solar battery or generator The pre-visit checklist and/or on-site risk assessment may help to identify all power sources. There should also be a sign on the main switch board although Description of LAA’s should not rely on this. Hazard Alert Discussion with the home owner as well as observance of on-site signage may (continued) assist with isolation. “Read and Heed” any instructions or signs for isolating the alternate power source before proceeding into the ceiling space.  Live service lines from the street Turing off the power at the switch board does not isolate power from the street to the property. Incoming wires to the house will still be live.  Faults with wiring leading to live conductive parts eg metal battens, aluminium sarking, roof sheeting - proximity testers / volt stick may help to identify live conductive parts LAA’s should avoid contact with exposed metal parts All wiring should be approached with the view that it is potentially live and in addition to existing control strategies general exclusion zones observed eg 1 meter for general wires and 3 meters for incoming service lines. If you are not able to safely access the ceiling cavity do not proceed. Advise the Principle and await further instructions.

 Faulty wiring – wires not safely terminated such as this example provided by Ben Williams

Additional potential electrical hazards  Presence of Infinity or Olsent Wiring – this wiring has been recalled by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission due to risk of electrocution and fires from faulty cables. If you see white wiring stamped with ‘Infinity’ please advise the home owner and ensure you maintain a reasonable exclusion zone.

Document No: OHSMS 4.002A (February 2010) Version 2.2 Page 4

 Proximity testers / volt meters do not identify live wires from solar sources.  Additional control strategies – non-conductive tools and equipment; exclusion Notes zones

If you are not able to safely access the ceiling cavity do not proceed. Advise the Principle and await further instructions. SafeWork NSW electrical safety alert:

 http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safety-alert/electrical-safety

Workcover Queensland program, “Turn off down here to stay safe up there”:

 https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/staysaferswitchoff/a-little-reminder-that-could- save-a-life

 https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/staysaferswitchoff

NSW Rural Fire Service

Resources and  Safety Alert 2010/3 Safe Isolation of Solar Electrical Systems Further Information NECA eAlert: Electrocution of an electrician

Codes of Practice:

 SafeWork NSW, Managing Electrical Risks in the workplace code of practice

 NSW Department of Industry, Code for safe installation of direct-connected electricity metering in NSW (pg 5):

Please continue to forward all hazards and near miss incidents to us so we can share your experiences and ensure everyone is managing the risks effectively.

Suzanne Reid, Contact Person WHS Advisor, Phone Number 0434 609 795 LFAIT

APPROVAL Name Signature Date

Requestor Suzanne Reid 23 September 2016

Manager

COPIES TO BE DISTRIBUTED / DISPLAYED IN THE WORKPLACE

Document No: OHSMS 4.002A (February 2010) Version 2.2