• Electrical contractor not licensed. 
• Inadequate consultation with relevant employees. 
• Contractor not experienced in the type of work undertaken. 
• Australian Standard AS/NZS 3012 not followed. 
• Improvisation using inappropriate wiring methods or electrical materials.  

Where applicable: 

•  Earth Leakage Switch not trip tested monthly. 
• Earth Leakage Switch not subject to a calibration test. 
•  Flexible extension leads, portable tools and electrical plant not inspected, tested and tagged three monthly. 

• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 
• Electrical equipment faulty. 
•  Extension lead faulty. 
• Lead severed by power tool blade. 
• Tool not double insulated – old metal type. 
• Tool placed in water or other liquid. 

• Wrong type of fire extinguisher available i.e. water not powder or CO2. 
• Person not trained in the use of fire fighting equipment. 
• Extinguisher positioned at fire source e.g. base of switchboard. 

• Underground services not located and/or isolated. 
• Drawings incorrect, services not in their expected location. 
• No excavation permit to dig system in place. 
• Cables not exposed by hand before digging using plant. 

• Power lines not isolated by the Supply Authority where possible.
• Power lines not covered or enclosed. 
• Machine operating too close to power lines. 
• Spotter not used to supervise machine operating near power lines. 
• Access positioned too close to power lines. 
•  Strong wind causes power lines to swing closer to work area. 

Entering the Danger Zone.

Operating distances for plant from a live overhead power line not observed

• Plant too close to overhead power lines:
  • is within 0.5 metres of a live insulated overhead power line or aerial bundled conductor line of a voltage of not more than 1000 volts;
  • is within 1.0 metres of a live uninsulated overhead power line of a voltage of not more than 1000 volts; 
  • is within 3.0 metres of a live overhead power line, whether insulated or not, of a voltage exceeding 1000 volts but not more than 33000 volts; or 
  • is within 6.0 metres of a live overhead power line, whether insulated or not, of a voltage exceeding 33000 volts; 
• Inspection of the work area not conducted prior to starting work. 
• Spotter not used to constantly observe the operation of the plant whilst working or travelling in the vicinity of the overhead power lines. 

• Faulty electrical appliance or equipment within shed. 
• Appliance or equipment not regularly inspected by a licensed electrician. 

• Lighting unprotected, e.g. no wire guard or diffuser. 
• Single lamp holders with bare light bulb used. 

• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 
• Electrical switchboard does not have lid and/or is not weatherproofed. 
• Electrical switchboard is not secured. 
• Electrical switchboard does not have bushed holes to prevent damage to leads. 
• Leads are damaged by the switchboard lid – not connected through bushed holes in the base. 

• No Isolation Permit system in place prior to demolition. 
• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 
• Licensed electrical contractor or authorised person not used to switch off/isolate power. 
• Power not isolated to prevent it being switched back on, e.g. remove main fuse or tag out method. 
• On site labour do not treat all power circuits as live. 
• Other power source from outside the site not identified and disconnected. 
• Irregular or unauthorised connections not identified and disconnected. 
• Temporary connections not identified, tagged and isolated. 
•  Water pipe electrified. 

• Electrical supply not provided within the maximum length allowable for the rating of the extension lead used
• Several extension leads connected together (in series). 
• Insulated hooks not used - leads wrapped around metal components, e.g., formwork. 
• Lead/s run between floors. 
• Lead severed by sharp edge. 
• Extension lead not secured above work area - lying in water or other liquid. 

• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 
• Insulation to old wiring frayed or easily damaged – e.g. brittle or old metal conduit. 
• Power not switched off. 
• Power not isolated to prevent it being switched back on, e.g. remove main fuse or tag out method. 

• Insulation to old wiring frayed or easily damaged – eg brittle or old metal conduit. 
• Work area too close to power lines 
• Tiger tails (insulation) not adequately boxed in when adjacent to scaffold or at risk of being penetrated by metal roofing materials with sharp edges. 
• Tiger tails (insulation) not extended to an appropriate distance past the boundary.

• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 
• Working too close to live power lines. 
• Tiger Tails (insulation) not in place on power lines or wet conditions make them ineffective. 
• High wind causes power lines to swing closer to work area. 
• Scaffold component strikes  and shatters unprotected light bulb. 

• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 
• Working too close to live power lines. 
• Tiger tails (insulation) not in place on power lines or wet conditions make them ineffective. 
• High wind causes power lines to swing closer to work area. 
• Scaffold component strikes and shatters unprotected light bulb. 

• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator. 
• Licensed electrical contractoror authorized person not used to switch off/isolate power.
• Power not isolated to prevent it being switched back on, e.g. remove main fuse or tag out method. 

• Electrical switchboard not locked outside work hours.
• Earth Leakage Switch not installed on mains supply or portable generator.
• Site not adequately fenced or guarded.