Electrical safety

IMPORTANT: You must not allow anyone to repair electrical equipment other than a licensed electrician, and you must remove any faulty equipment and have it repaired or replaced immediately. This is for your own safety and the safety of the community. 

Electrical safety should receive high priority to avoid exposure to the risk of electric shock and the consequences of receiving an electric shock.  The main aim is to ensure that electrical equipment is safe to use. 

Community and recreation facilities are not considered a hostile environment, therefore electrical appliances and leads are not subject to regular testing.  However, before your group or volunteers use any electrical equipment, irrespective of the work environment, do a visual inspection, checking for obvious damage to leads etc. 

Do not use electrical equipment that shows signs of damage.  Get it repaired or replace it.  You must not allow anyone to repair electrical equipment including floodlighting, other than a licensed electrician. 

For all floodlighting repairs, contact Council who will provide contact details for a Council approved electrical contractor. 

To ensure the safety of your facility concerning electrical equipment, you should always check the three main areas, extension cords, power outlets, and wiring to appliances. 

Extension leads (cord extension sets) 

The requirement is that the extension leads must be:

• Restricted to temporary needs only
• Located where they are not likely to be damaged
• Located away from sinks, taps, or where there is potential exposure to liquids.

Conducting regular checks will greatly minimise exposure to electrical hazards. 

Power outlets 

Conduct a visual check with the power switched off, to ensure that:

• There are no cracks or physical damage
• There is no water penetration
• The socket is not loose. 

Wiring to appliances

• Conduct a visual inspection to ensure that:
• There are no cut cables: firstly unplug the cable and run your hand over the cable to feel for cuts
• Cords are not damaged by liquids, furniture, or pedestrian traffic
• There are no frayed cables
• There is no damage to the plug, for example burning
• There are no problems with the grommet (the plastic or rubber insert as the cable enters the appliance)
  • Is it in place
  • Does it feel loose?
  • Has it deteriorated with age?
• There are no joins in the cable or damage repaired in a temporary fashion, for example, electrical insulating tape
• The internal coloured wires of the cables are not visible at any point. The outer plastic sleeving must cover and protect the inner wires.

Repairs

• You must not allow anyone to repair electrical equipment other than a licensed electrician; and
• You must remove any faulty equipment and have it repaired or replaced immediately.

Page Last Updated: 12 Feb 2015