1. Hazard identification

Now that we have examined the risk management process, over the next few pages we review some of the major woekplace hazards facing electricians

Everyday hazards in the workplace cause accidents. Hazards in a workplace can arise from a number of sources including:

• poor workplace design
  
• hazardous tasks being performed in the workplace
  
• poorly designed plant being introduced into the workplace
  
• incorrect installation, commissioning, use, inspection, maintenance, service, repair or alteration of plant in the workplace
  
• people being exposed to hazardous substances, processes or environment.

The hazard identification process can prevent accidents. Hazard identification is designed to identify all the possible situations where people may possibly be exposed to injury, illness and disease arising from all sources including the above. Further to this, by abiding by safety regulations, safety instructions and using common sense accidents can be avoided.

Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the Act) requires by law, an employer among other things to provide and maintain for employees a working environment that is safe and without risk to health and to provide and maintain plant and systems of work that are practicable, safe and without risk to health.

A Code of Practice is a document which gives practical guidance to an employer to help fulfil their obligations with regard to the Act.

The Code of Practice for Temporary Electrical Installations on Building and Construction Sites contains recommendations applying to fixed temporary wiring, fixed and/or portable electrical apparatus, tools, appliances and associated flexible cords used in connection with building or construction activities.

Codes of Practice for Safe Electrical Work are available from ESV and can be easily accessed from:

http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/ForElectricityProfessionals/Legislationandregulations/
Codesofpractice/tabid/191/Default.aspx

The following are Codes of Practice from Victoria, including:

• Victoria Code of Practice for Safe Electrical Work (PDF 122KB)
  
• Industry Standard for Electrical Installation Work on Construction Sites (PDF 48KB)
  
• Victorian Electricity Supply Industry Code of Practice (PDF 200KB)
  
• The Blue Book Code of Practice of Electrical Safety for Work On or Near High Voltage Electrical Apparatus 2005 (PDF 1.9MB)
  
• Victorian Electrolysis Code of Practice (PDF 256KB)
  
• Code of Practice for the Sale of Electrical Installation Products to the Public. (PDF 75KB)

Visit your state's Worksafe/ Safe Work/ Workcover site to get Regulations and Codes of Prctice for your state or etrritory.