General electrical guidance

• All electrical incidents at UWA must be immediately reported via the UWA Incident Portal (Camms) and to the Campus Management Electrical Team Leader for investigation. Where a suspected electrical shock has occurred the UWA Electrical Incident Report Form must be completed by the affected person’s manager / supervisor and then by a CM Electrical Representative.
• Any person receiving a suspected electrical shock must immediately notify their manager / supervisor to present for medical assessment by a qualified medical practitioner.
• Learning Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) may help save a life, but do not touch anyone who may be in contact with electricity until the power has been switched off or disconnected.
• Wearing rubber or insulating soled footwear is a further precaution against electrocution.

• Extension leads should only be regarded as a temporary arrangement for power distribution.
• Run extension cords and power leads around the walls and around the backs of desks.
• Do not run cords across walk or trafficable areas, under chairs or furniture, under carpets or between rooms.
• Use heavy-duty extension cords outdoors and use a residual current device (RCD) for personal protection.
• Do not squash extension cords between furniture, walls, and windows.
• Keep cords away from hot or wet surfaces.
• Inspect cords to check that they are in good condition. Discolouration can indicate overheating due to overloading; this needs to be reported and checked to see if it is still safe to use.
• Extension leads and power cords are separate electrical items and need to be inspected separately.
• Even leads with moulded plugs and sockets may have manufacturing defects and should be checked for correct wiring.
• To help reduce subsequent testing costs, tested leads can be attached to a portable electrical appliance and tested as an integral part of the item, providing a visual inspection of the lead is still done.
• If a lead is cut or damaged it must be replaced unless it can be repaired by a suitably licensed person.

• Any new and unused electrical equipment being placed into service for the first time must be visually inspected using the Electrical Equipment Inspection Checklist and be fitted with a ‘new to service’ sticker which can be provided my Campus Management (CM).
• CM will do an annual inspection and tagging of electrical equipment. The ‘new to service’ sticker will be removed and replaced with a ‘tested and tagged’ sticker.
• All persons shall undertake a visual inspection of electrical equipment as prescribed in Electrical Equipment Inspection Checklist – Part A prior to use.
• The above do not apply to personal electrical equipment and appliances where the responsibility lies with the owner.
• Any overseas manufactured electrical equipment must comply with Australian Standards before being used for UWA work.
• Never use equipment if it is damaged, faulty or displays tags marked ‘Out of Service’ or ‘Danger’. Only qualified persons may carry out electrical repairs.
• Switch off and, if safe to do so, unplug any faulty or suspect electrical appliance; do not continue to use it, place a label on it showing it is faulty and report it so it can be tested, repaired or replaced.
• Do not use portable electrical appliances where they may become wet or have liquid spilt on or into them.
• Switch off and unplug any wet appliance or lead if safe to do so.
• Ensure that power plugs are pushed completely into the socket and are not placed under strain.
• Do not spray cleaning solutions onto power connections or electrical cables as they can cause damage to insulating plastics which could result in electric shock.
• Do not remove any fixed covers from portable electrical appliances as there is a high risk of electric shock occurring if the appliance is plugged in while the covers are removed.
• Only use portable electrical appliances for the task they were designed for.
• Avoid overloading powerpoints and power boards. As a guide, high wattage devices such as electric heaters and jugs should have their own powerpoint as they typically draw half to three-quarters the capacity of the powerpoint, so when used in conjunction with several other appliances, they could blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker or cause a fire.
• If an electrical appliance is moved into an area classified as electrically hostile, such as a laboratory or workshop, the appliance will have to be tested and tagged in accordance with AS/NZS 3760 before use.
• If an electrical appliance is faulty and has to be repaired, the appliance will have to be electrically tested and tagged, in accordance with AS/NZS 3760, before it can be returned to a hostile environment.

• No unsafe electrical equipment is to be used (see above section - Electrical appliances).
• Small equipment outlets are RCD protected (not including refrigerators which are not normally on RCD protected circuits).
• The length of electrical cords is limited such that the equipment cannot be immersed in water (for example a filled sink or running tap). Lead length can be adjusted either by rewiring (shortening the lead) by a competent person or by use of cable ties or similar cable management aids available from hardware stores and office suppliers.

• Halogen desk lamps are hot when operating and can become a fire risk if flammable materials come into contact with them, such as curtains or paper.
• Consider using a compact fluorescent as a cooler alternative to a halogen lamp. 
• Compact fluorescent lamps overheat if put in an enclosed light fitting, so ensure there is adequate ventilation.
• No persons shall use portable electrical heaters in air-conditioned spaces. Where a portable electric heater is used, the user shall ensure it is approved for use (in writing) by Campus Management.
• Never leave your office with appliances such as heaters operating.

• Be aware of overhead power lines and the risk they pose for work involving cranes, boat masts, height access equipment, and ladders.

Power boards should only be considered as a temporary solution and ideally all electrical devices should operate from individual power points for improved electrical safety. General guidelines for the use of power boards:

• All power boards used in UWA must have overload protection fitted and should also have built in on/off switches.
• They should have their own RCD protection if the supply outlet is not already RCD protected.
• Industrial power boards should be used in outdoor or trades areas.
• In cases where higher current drawing equipment is to be used, consideration should be given to installation of fixed sockets as an alternative to use of power boards.
• Place power boards in ventilated areas, keep them free of dust and dirt and off the floor wherever possible to stop liquid entry, and keep leads tidy.
• Multiple adaptors that do not contain an overcurrent protective device and Piggyback plugs shall not be used at UWA with the exception of University Theatres for theatrical lighting where, a load calculation has been undertaken.
• Travel adaptors may only be used whilst on UWA business, however these adapters must be purchased from recognised Australian suppliers/stores and be marked with the Regulatory Compliance Mark.

• Make sure that all powerpoints have earth leakage circuit breakers (ELCB) or safety switches fitted and are labelled to indicate what type of protection is in use and to which circuit the powerpoint is connected.
• Contact Campus Management to have power points labeled and residual current device or safety switch outlets tested.
• Make sure that plugs are pushed fully into the socket, so that no part of the pins are exposed.
• Report any damaged powerpoints so they can be repaired.
• To avoid a shock, switch off powerpoints before plugging and unplugging appliances.
• Remove appliances from the powerpoint by holding the plug, not by pulling the cord.