Product Overview

Summary: This Electric Vehicle Charging Station Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for safely operating, inspecting and maintaining EV chargers in Australian workplaces. It helps organisations manage electrical and fire risks, protect staff and visitors, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation as EV adoption accelerates.

As electric vehicles become common across Australian fleets, workplaces are rapidly installing EV charging stations in car parks, depots and loading areas. Without a clear procedure, businesses face increased risks around electrical safety, fire, vehicle movement, public access and interface with existing building services. This Electric Vehicle Charging Station Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, WHS-focused framework for how EV chargers are to be installed, used, monitored and maintained on site.

The SOP guides your organisation through safe operation from end to end: pre-use checks, user access control, safe connection and disconnection of vehicles, cable management, managing load and capacity, and clear response steps for faults, alarms or emergencies. It also addresses integration with your broader WHS systems, including risk assessment, training, signage, incident reporting and contractor management. By implementing this SOP, you create a consistent, defensible approach to managing the unique hazards associated with EV charging, while supporting your sustainability and fleet electrification goals.

Key Benefits

• Ensure EV charging activities comply with Australian WHS laws, electrical safety requirements and relevant Australian Standards.
• Reduce the risk of electric shock, arc flash, fire and vehicle collision incidents around charging areas.
• Standardise how staff, contractors and visitors safely access and use charging stations across all sites.
• Streamline inspection, testing and maintenance routines to minimise charger downtime and costly repairs.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, insurers and clients by documenting a clear, risk-based operating procedure.

Who is this for?

• Facilities Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Electrical Contractors
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Fleet Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Property and Asset Managers
• Sustainability and ESG Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Building Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock from damaged, wet or improperly used charging equipment
• Arc flash or electrical fault during connection, disconnection or fault conditions
• Fire risks associated with electrical faults, batteries or overloading of circuits
• Trip hazards from trailing charging cables in pedestrian and vehicle areas
• Vehicle–pedestrian collisions in shared charging zones and car parks
• Exposure to live parts during unauthorised access, vandalism or improper maintenance
• Weather-related hazards such as water ingress into equipment in outdoor installations
• Manual handling strains from moving portable chargers or heavy charging leads

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of EV Charging Equipment
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Risk Assessment and Planning for EV Charging Areas
• 6.0 Site Layout, Traffic Management and Signage Requirements
• 7.0 Pre-use Inspection and Start-up Checks
• 8.0 Safe Operating Procedure – Connecting and Disconnecting Vehicles
• 9.0 Cable Management and Housekeeping Controls
• 10.0 Managing Environmental Conditions (Outdoor and Covered Car Parks)
• 11.0 Access Control, Security and Public Use Considerations
• 12.0 Faults, Alarms and Out-of-Service Tagging Procedure
• 13.0 Inspection, Testing, Preventive Maintenance and Recordkeeping
• 14.0 Contractor and Electrician Management Requirements
• 15.0 Emergency Response – Electric Shock, Fire and Vehicle Incidents
• 16.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Information for Workers and Visitors
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3008: Electrical installations – Selection of cables
• AS/NZS 4777 series: Grid connection of energy systems via inverters (where applicable to integrated systems)
• AS/NZS 4763: Portable inverters for household and similar use (where relevant to portable EV supply equipment)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems
• Relevant state and territory Electrical Safety Acts and Regulations