BlueSafe
General Electrical Installation, Wiring and Switchboards Risk Assessment

General Electrical Installation, Wiring and Switchboards Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

General Electrical Installation, Wiring and Switchboards Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with General Electrical Installation, Wiring and Switchboards through a structured, management-level WHS Risk Management approach. This Risk Assessment supports compliance with the WHS Act, electrical safety obligations and standards, helping to demonstrate Due Diligence and protect your business from operational and legal liability.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance & Electrical Safety Management System: Assessment of policies, roles, responsibilities and consultation arrangements needed to manage electrical installation risks at an organisational level.
  • Electrical Design, Engineering & System Configuration: Management of design verification, fault level considerations, discrimination, earthing, and configuration of wiring and switchboards to minimise electrical and fire risk.
  • Procurement, Supplier Management & Equipment Selection: Controls for selecting compliant switchboards, cables, protection devices and components, including supplier approval, certification and lifecycle cost considerations.
  • Electrical Competency, Licensing, Training & Supervision: Protocols for ensuring only appropriately licensed electricians and competent workers perform electrical tasks, with adequate supervision, refresher training and competency verification.
  • Electrical Isolation, Lock-Out Tag-Out & Permit Systems: Assessment of isolation procedures, LOTO devices, access authorisation and permit-to-work systems for energised and high-risk electrical activities.
  • Installation, Construction & Modification Management: Management of installation works, temporary supplies, alterations and upgrades to wiring and switchboards, including change control, staging and inspection hold points.
  • Inspection, Testing, Verification & Commissioning: Requirements for pre-energisation checks, testing, verification against design, commissioning procedures and documentation of results before handover.
  • Operation, Maintenance & Periodic Inspection: Systems for safe operation of electrical installations and switchboards, preventative maintenance programs, thermographic inspections and defect rectification.
  • Demolition, Decommissioning & Removal of Electrical Systems: Risk controls for isolating, making safe, stripping out and disposing of redundant electrical equipment and cabling during refurbishments or demolitions.
  • Work Environment, Access & Physical Protection: Management of access to switchrooms and distribution boards, housekeeping, clearances, guarding, IP ratings and mechanical protection of cables and equipment.
  • Interface with Other Services, Trades & Building Systems: Coordination of electrical works with plumbing, HVAC, fire, data and structural trades, including clash detection and segregation of services.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Fault Response & Incident Management: Planning for electrical faults, arc-flash, fire, shock incidents and loss of supply, including isolation plans, emergency shutdown, first aid and investigation processes.
  • Documentation, Labelling, Drawings & Information Management: Controls for as-built drawings, single line diagrams, circuit schedules, labelling of boards and circuits, and retention of test, inspection and maintenance records.
  • Contractor Management & Site Access Control: Systems for prequalification, induction, supervision and performance monitoring of electrical contractors, and control of access to electrical areas and equipment.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Electrical Contractors, Project Managers, Facility Managers and Safety Officers responsible for planning, approving and overseeing General Electrical Installation, Wiring and Switchboard works across their organisation or projects.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Legal Compliance and Electrical Safety Management System
  • • Lack of documented WHS and electrical safety management system aligned with WHS Act 2011, WHS Regulations and AS/NZS 3000
  • • Unclear responsibilities between PCBUs, principal contractors, electrical contractors and subcontractors for electrical safety
  • • No formal process to monitor updates to legislation, standards and network operator requirements
  • • Inadequate consultation, cooperation and coordination between multiple duty holders on shared worksites
  • • Absence of an electrical safety policy addressing work on or near energised equipment, temporary power, demolition and maintenance activities
  • • Inconsistent application of safe design principles to electrical installations, switchboards and associated mechanical and plumbing interfaces
  • • Failure to integrate electrical risk management into overall WHS risk register and management reviews
2. Electrical Design, Engineering and System Configuration
  • • Inadequate system design leading to overloaded circuits, nuisance tripping or overheating of wiring and switchboards
  • • Incorrect selection or coordination of circuit breakers, fuses and residual current devices (RCDs) for the intended load and fault levels
  • • Poorly designed earthing, bonding and surge protection arrangements, including for rooftop equipment and lightning protection systems
  • • Failure to consider power factor correction design, capacitor locations and protection, leading to fire or equipment damage
  • • Improper integration of low voltage power supply with backup power systems, temporary power and mechanical services
  • • Underspecified or incorrect cable types, insulation ratings or protective coatings for wet areas, corrosive environments or rooftop exposures
  • • Insufficient segregation of control wiring, communications and public address system cabling from power circuits
  • • Poor design of access for future maintenance of switchboards, transformers and distribution equipment
3. Procurement, Supplier Management and Equipment Selection
  • • Procurement of non‑compliant switchboards, distribution equipment or components not suitable for Australian conditions or voltage systems
  • • Use of low‑quality or counterfeit circuit breakers, fuses, power factor correction capacitors and surge protection devices
  • • Selection of wiring, coatings, fittings and enclosures not rated for wet, corrosive, high‑temperature or rooftop environments
  • • Inadequate specification of lightning protection, earthing components and bonding hardware in purchase documents
  • • Backup power systems, transformers and PA systems sourced without appropriate certification and documentation
  • • Lack of compatibility between new components and existing installations, creating fault, arcing or overheating risks
  • • Failure to procure lockable isolation devices, labelled isolators and test equipment to support safe systems of work
4. Electrical Competency, Licensing, Training and Supervision
  • • Unlicensed or inadequately licensed persons performing electrical installation, demolition, repair or reconnection work
  • • Insufficient training in WHS obligations, electrical risk control, lock‑out tag‑out (LOTO) and permit systems
  • • Lack of competency in specialised tasks such as mechanical services switchboard work, PFC capacitor replacement, transformer installation, grounding operations and lightning protection works
  • • Poor understanding of risks associated with exposed wiring in wet environments, rooftop electrical work and plumbing interfaces
  • • Inadequate supervision of apprentices, trade assistants and contractors performing electrical work on machines and distribution equipment
  • • Failure to train workers in correct use of test equipment and verification of isolation before drilling, cutting or demolition near electrical services
5. Electrical Isolation, Lock-Out Tag-Out and Permit Systems
  • • Failure to properly isolate circuits before maintenance, demolition, drilling or corrections to faulty or overloaded wiring
  • • Inadequate verification of de‑energisation leading to contact with live wires in walls, ceilings, switchboards or plant
  • • Unclear isolation points for backup power supplies, generators, UPS systems and low voltage power distribution
  • • Back‑feed from temporary power systems, transformers or interconnected boards during work on electrical systems
  • • Inadequate control of isolation during disconnect/reconnect of hardware and removal of old wiring systems
  • • Absence of formal permits to work for complex isolations, rooftop systems and critical plant
6. Installation, Construction and Modification Management
  • • Uncontrolled changes to electrical layouts, wiring routes, bonding, grounding and circuit loading during construction
  • • Inadequate management of temporary power supplies, leading to exposed live parts, poor earthing or overloading
  • • Poor coordination between electrical works and other trades, causing damage to cables, incorrect penetrations or contact with live circuits while drilling or fixing
  • • Improper application of protective coatings, cable supports and segregation leading to insulation damage, moisture ingress or mechanical damage
  • • Inconsistent standards for terminating, labelling and dressing wiring in switchboards and junction boxes
  • • Work on live or partially energised systems due to schedule pressures or poor planning
7. Inspection, Testing, Verification and Commissioning
  • • Failure to identify incorrect wiring, polarity, earthing defects or circuit overloads prior to energisation
  • • Inadequate testing of RCDs, surge protection, power factor correction systems and backup power interfaces
  • • Insufficient insulation resistance, continuity and earth fault loop impedance testing on new and modified circuits
  • • Lack of verification of bonding and grounding for mechanical services, plumbing connections and metallic building components
  • • Commissioning of PA systems, lightning protection and low voltage power supplies without integrated system testing
  • • No documented evidence of test results, inspections or defects prior to handover
8. Operation, Maintenance and Inspection of Electrical Installations and Switchboards
  • • Lack of planned maintenance for circuit breakers, RCDs, fuses, power factor correction capacitors and surge protection devices
  • • Switchboards and distribution equipment operating with undetected damage, contamination or loose connections
  • • Inadequate inspection of rooftop, external and wet‑area installations leading to corrosion, insulation breakdown or water ingress
  • • Failure to identify and correct overloaded circuits, faulty wiring or recurring blown fuses and tripped breakers
  • • Unmanaged deterioration of backup power systems, transformers, PA systems and central heating wiring
  • • Ad hoc replacement of fuses, circuit breakers or components without root cause analysis or compliance checks
9. Demolition, Decommissioning and Removal of Electrical Systems
  • • Live circuits remaining energised during electrical demolition or removal of old wiring and equipment
  • • Inaccurate or outdated drawings leading to contact with live conductors while cutting, drilling or removing services
  • • Uncontrolled abandonment of cables, bonding and earthing conductors in walls, ceilings or underground
  • • Failure to isolate and make safe power factor correction capacitors, transformers, backup power systems and mechanical services controls prior to demolition
  • • Exposure to damaged insulation, unprotected terminations and energised circuits in partially demolished areas
  • • Inadequate coordination between demolition contractors, plumbers and electricians regarding shared services
10. Work Environment, Access, Housekeeping and Physical Protection of Electrical Installations
  • • Obstructed access to switchboards, isolators and distribution equipment hindering emergency isolation or maintenance
  • • Water ingress, condensation and wet environments causing deterioration of exposed wiring, junction boxes and terminations
  • • Unprotected rooftop work areas exposing electrical installations to physical damage, UV, wind and lightning
  • • Mechanical impact on cables and conduits from other trades, materials handling equipment or building movements
  • • Poor housekeeping leading to combustible materials near switchboards and electrical equipment
  • • Inadequate guarding or enclosure of live parts in plant rooms, ceiling spaces or service risers accessible to non‑electrical workers
11. Interface with Other Services, Trades and Building Systems
  • • Electrical wiring and components installed too close to plumbing, gas, HVAC ducting or other services, creating cross‑risk of electric shock, fire or flooding
  • • Damage to electrical wiring during plumbing works, drilling, sawing or installation of mechanical services
  • • Inadequate bonding between metallic plumbing, mechanical systems and electrical earthing
  • • Poorly managed integration of electrical controls with central heating, mechanical plant, PA systems and automation
  • • Lack of coordinated shut‑down procedures affecting electrical systems when other services are isolated or modified
12. Emergency Preparedness, Fault Response and Incident Management
  • • Delayed or ineffective response to electrical faults, fires, shocks or arc incidents involving wiring, switchboards or machines
  • • Workers resetting circuit breakers or replacing fuses repeatedly without fault diagnosis, leading to escalation of hazards
  • • Inadequate procedures for managing failures of backup power systems, transformers, PA systems and mechanical services switchboards during emergencies
  • • Lack of clear instructions for isolating electrical systems in the event of flooding, roof leaks or water ingress into electrical areas
  • • Poor reporting and investigation of electrical near misses, minor shocks or equipment failures
13. Documentation, Labelling, Drawings and Information Management
  • • Outdated or inaccurate single line diagrams, circuit schedules and as‑installed drawings for switchboards and wiring systems
  • • Inadequate labelling of circuits, isolators, earthing points, PFC units, surge devices and temporary power equipment
  • • Loss or poor control of test records, certificates of compliance and maintenance histories
  • • Lack of readily available information for workers about underground services, rooftop circuits and mechanical services wiring
  • • Misidentification of circuits during repair, modification or demolition activities
14. Contractor Management and Site Access Control for Electrical Works
  • • Use of unvetted electrical contractors with unknown competency, safety performance or compliance with legislation
  • • Contractors performing electrical demolition, temporary power set‑up or switchboard modifications without following site ESMS requirements
  • • Inadequate site induction and communication regarding unique electrical hazards such as exposed wiring in wet areas or rooftop installations
  • • Uncontrolled after‑hours access to switchrooms, plant rooms and roof areas by contractors
  • • Poor coordination between multiple electrical contractors working on interconnected systems, leading to conflicting isolations or re‑energisation

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules): Electrical installations — Requirements for design, construction and verification of electrical installations.
  • AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations — Construction and demolition sites.
  • AS/NZS 61439 (Series): Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Requirements for design, construction and verification of switchboards.
  • AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment.
  • AS/NZS 3760: In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
  • AS 2067: Substations and high-voltage installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.
  • Safe Work Australia Codes of Practice: Including Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace and Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces, as applicable.
  • AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018: Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

$79.5

Safe Work Australia Aligned