Construction is an industry with several safety issues and dangers. One of the most prevalent causes of injury and death is contact with electricity. Construction work frequently involves dangerous tasks like installing or maintaining electrical wiring, working near overhead and underground powerlines, and working with extension leads, switchboards, and portable electrical outlet devices. The most common hazards of electrical work are shock, arc flashes, and arc blasts, and since 2020, SafeWork NSW has recorded more than 1000 incidents and 600 injuries.
As a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), you have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of workers, visitors, and volunteers as much as practically possible. One of the most important factors to consider is construction electrical safety. That’s where electrical spotters come into the picture.
As a team with decades of combined experience, trusted by some of Australia’s largest construction companies, SSTC knows a lot about electrical hazards and safety on your construction site. Here is our guide to electrical safety in the construction industry and how electrical spotters can help.
Electrical hazards on construction sites take numerous forms, including:
Working near powerlines is hazardous, as accidentally touching them or even straying into their “exclusion zone” can be fatal or cause serious electric shock. Make sure you locate and plan around power lines before you begin the job, keep yourself and all equipment at least 10 feet away from them, and take precautions by using equipment like ladders and rolling scaffolds.
Damage to tools, cords, and equipment on construction sites can be fatal, with something as minor as a frayed cable or exposed wire causing a spark. A qualified person should regularly examine all tools, switches, cables, and cords on a construction site and replace them when necessary.
Unfortunately, many small things can go wrong on a construction site, from wiring problems to poorly functioning circuit breakers. To reduce the risk, maintain proper grounding and ensure all wiring comes from a reputable source and doesn’t exceed capacity.
Never operate electrical equipment outside in wet conditions. If a piece of electrical equipment has gotten wet, have a qualified electrician make sure it’s safe to use before you operate it again.
Electrical spotters, sometimes known as safety observers, are workers who have one job: to observe the work in progress and ensure it’s carried out according to proper safety procedures. A dedicated construction electrical spotter focuses solely on construction electrical safety, not dividing their attention with any other task while the high-voltage live work (HVLW) is happening. The electrical spotter maintains communication with other team members at all times to ensure everybody onsite is following the highest levels of safety standards.
Some practical ways that electrical spotters help maintain safety on a construction site include:
A safety observer is trained to spot risks such as overloaded circuits, exposed wires, and faulty equipment before they become problems.
Spotters can guarantee all electrical work complies with the relevant safety standards and regulations.
Spotters monitor safe work procedures and ensure that necessary practices, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are carried out.
Spotters can check electrical equipment and tools to make sure they’re in good working order, and that maintenance is regularly performed.
While having an electrical spotter is essential for proper construction electrical safety, it’s not the only way to improve electrical safety on a construction site. Here are some steps you can take for better electrical safety in your own workplace:
Regularly surveying your working area and assessing the risks of electrical hazards can help prevent accidents. Project management software makes it easier to stay on top of potential risks. Make sure all workers are aware of the exact location of the risks and how to avoid them.
Use the right power testing equipment and check any wiring on your construction site to ensure it isn’t grounded, dead, or in need of additional safety measures. Your construction electrical safety plan should involve acquiring high-quality devices such as clamp meters and voltage detectors.
One of the most crucial parts of reducing electrical safety risks is just making sure you have the right tools, parts and pieces of equipment for the job. This may include voltage regulators, circuit breakers, cord protectors and more.
Make sure all workers on your site are adequately trained in electrical safety and emergency procedures and have access to personal protective equipment. Anyone who is working in close proximity to electricity should always have access to a face shield, fire-resistant helmet, and other forms of ear and eye protection.
Working with electrical equipment in the rain significantly increases your chance of an electrical shock, especially if your equipment is poorly insulated. Your construction electrical safety plan should always be designed to avoid wet conditions, and a qualified electrician should always inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet to make sure it’s still safe to use.
Mark all electrical panels, outlets and junction boxes clearly and legibly and use warning signs to warn workers in areas where they are present.
Lockout and tagout procedures ensure that all electrical circuits are shut off properly and can’t be activated while electrical work is in progress.
Familiarise yourself and your team with all the standards, rules, and notes for conducting electrical work in NSW, including the most recent updates and changes.
An electrical spotter has to meet strict training requirements and be inducted into all site safety procedures, including the relevant Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). SSTC’s electrical spotters are level two accredited and first aid certified. They familiarise themselves with your safety protocol and take a rigorous, comprehensive approach to safety standards. Our spotters are trained in emergency procedures and communicate clearly to ensure all rules and regulations are followed.
Having the right plans in place and clearing them with the authorities is an essential aspect of ensuring construction site safety. SSTC can also provide this service. Our plans and permits can manage licences and grants, traffic and site establishment, and other issues, as well as ensure proper rule and regulation compliance.
The SSTC team has more than 25 years of combined experience, competitive rates and G10 / RMS accreditation, making them a reliable choice for safety services in Sydney. If you want to minimise the risk of electrical hazards and ensure the safety of your construction site, get your free quote from SSTC today.