• Updated guidance on management of high-voltage electrical installations
• Publication issued by Building & Energy and endorsed by WorkSafe
• Revised version aligns with current regulations including new WHS Act

Owners and managers of premises with high-voltage electrical installations can now access updated guidance from WA’s energy and workplace safety regulators.

Facilities such as large shopping centres, industrial complexes, apartment buildings and mine sites are likely to have high-voltage infrastructure, defined as 1,000 volts AC or more.

Building & Energy and WorkSafe collaborated on the high-voltage electrical installation guidelines to ensure they reflect WA’s current regulatory framework, including electrical safety legislation and the Work Health and Safety Act 2020. The publication is issued by WA’s Director of Energy Safety and endorsed by the WorkSafe Commissioner.

“High-voltage risks must be effectively managed because a fault can release significant energy with potentially catastrophic results,” Director of Energy Safety Saj Abdoolakhan said.

“A person conducting a business or undertaking at a premises with a high-voltage electrical installation is responsible for managing its design, construction, operation, maintenance and electrical safety.

“This includes submitting design proposals to the network operator for assessment and maintaining comprehensive electrical safety management plans and safe operating procedures. All electrical work must be carried out by a suitably qualified and licensed electrical contractor.”

Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said the revised guidelines aligned with provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and associated regulations.

“Persons conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace are responsible for the safety of people and property in relation to the management and conduct of undertakings at those premises,” Ms North said.

“For workplaces with high-voltage installations, consideration should also be given to requirements such as overhead and underground electric lines, duties for plant, incident notifications and high-voltage requirements on mines, such as statutory positions and vicinity permits.”

The Guidelines for the safe management of high-voltage electrical installations are available at the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website (dmirs.wa.gov.au).

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Media contact: BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au

WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh (left) and WA's Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan.