Electrical safety

Just follow some simple rules to avoid the dangers of electrical accidents and fire.

Our safety tips under these headings may be a helpful start:

Water

  • Never touch anything electrical with wet hands or feet
  • Never use any electrical appliance near water
  • Do not use portable heaters in bathroom areas. Instead, install a strip heater or ceiling unit by a registered contractor.


Electric shocks

Electric shocks are not always fatal. They may stop the heart, cause burns, force muscles to contract and paralyse breathing. Often shock victims cannot let go of the appliance that is passing the current to the body.

If you witness an electric shock:
  • Switch off the power and pull out the plug, so long as there is no danger of you also being electrocuted
  • If you cannot turn the appliance off, use heavy duty insulating gloves or something made of rubber, dry cloth or cured dry wood to free the shock victim (do not use wet or recently sawn wood as this can contain sap that will conduct electricity). It may be safe to use their clothing but only if it is dry
  • Protect yourself and any bystanders from the possibility of further shocks
  • Don’t touch the shock victim’s skin until they are free of the current
  • Seek immediate medical assistance for the victim
  • If you are trained in resuscitation techniques, and choose to attempt resuscitating the victim ensure that you do so as soon as when they are no longer in contact with the electrical current
  • Never attempt to rescue a person where a high voltage electrical current is involved.

Underground cables and pipes

Before any of your employees or contractors start excavating, you must:
  • Always comply with laws and regulations when conducting works
  • Identify and locate the position of all gas, electricity, water and other underground services (such as telephone) to and within the property
  • Record and keep details of where the services are located
  • Use a registered electrical contractor to help you locate electrical cables if necessary.


Contact Before You Dig  on 1100, it’s a free service across Australia that can help identify and locate underground networks at your site.