Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out clear, practical steps to prevent electrical incidents when erecting, altering, using, and dismantling scaffolds in proximity to live electrical installations. It helps Australian businesses control the significant risks of electric shock, arcing and inadvertent contact with powerlines or services, while demonstrating robust compliance with WHS obligations on construction and maintenance sites.

Working at height on scaffolds near overhead powerlines, underground services, temporary power, and building electrical installations introduces a high potential for serious electrical incidents. This Electrical Hazard Prevention on Scaffolds SOP provides a structured, step‑by‑step process for planning, erecting, using and dismantling scaffolding where electrical risks are present or may reasonably arise. It focuses on practical controls such as exclusion zones, isolation and de‑energisation, scaffold material selection, tagging and signage, and coordination with electrical workers and network operators.

The document is designed for the Australian regulatory environment and aligns with WHS legislation, relevant Australian Standards and industry guidance. It helps organisations translate legal requirements into day‑to‑day site practices that workers can actually follow. By implementing this SOP, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of electric shock, arcing, fires and unplanned outages, while also improving communication between scaffolders, electricians, principal contractors and PCBUs. It supports consistent training, defensible risk management and a clear audit trail when regulators or clients review your electrical safety systems on scaffolds.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of electric shock, arcing and electrical burns for workers on or near scaffolds.
• Ensure scaffolding activities comply with Australian WHS legislation, electrical safety requirements and network operator rules.
• Standardise planning, consultation and permit processes between scaffolders, electricians and principal contractors.
• Improve hazard identification around overhead and underground electrical assets before work starts.
• Provide clear, documented procedures that support worker training, toolbox talks and incident investigations.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Scaffolding Supervisors
• Licensed Scaffolders
• Electricians and Electrical Contractors
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Principal Contractors
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers
• Civil and Infrastructure Supervisors
• Rail and Utilities Project Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Contact with overhead powerlines by scaffold components, tools or materials
• Contact with live building electrical installations (e.g. exposed cables, switchboards, temporary power)
• Electric shock from damaged or poorly protected extension leads and portable electrical equipment used on scaffolds
• Arcing and flashover from scaffolds erected within unsafe approach distances to energised conductors
• Induced voltages on metal scaffolds near high‑voltage lines
• Fire ignition from electrical faults near scaffold platforms or access ways
• Trip and fall hazards created by poorly managed electrical leads on scaffold decks
• Uncontrolled energisation during erection, alteration or dismantling works

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Principal Contractor, Supervisor, Scaffolder, Electrician, Worker)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Planning and Pre‑Start Requirements
• 5.1 Site Assessment for Electrical Hazards
• 5.2 Consultation with Network Operators and Electricians
• 5.3 Permits, Authorisations and Isolation Requirements
• 6.0 Electrical Hazard Identification on and Around Scaffolds
• 6.1 Overhead Powerlines and Service Drops
• 6.2 Underground Electrical Services and Locating Requirements
• 6.3 Building Installations, Temporary Power and Switchboards
• 7.0 Risk Assessment and Control Measures
• 7.1 Establishing and Maintaining Exclusion and Approach Distances
• 7.2 Isolation, De‑energisation and Lockout/Tagout Requirements
• 7.3 Selection of Scaffold Materials and Components Near Electrical Sources
• 7.4 Use of Barriers, Insulation, Signage and Physical Protections
• 8.0 Safe Work Method – Erecting Scaffolds Near Electrical Installations
• 8.1 Pre‑Erection Checks and Briefings
• 8.2 Erection Sequence with Electrical Controls in Place
• 8.3 Working Within Approved Zones and Under Permits
• 9.0 Safe Use of Scaffolds in Electrically Hazardous Areas
• 9.1 Housekeeping and Management of Electrical Leads on Scaffolds
• 9.2 Use of Portable Electrical Equipment on Scaffolds
• 9.3 Weather Conditions, Wet Environments and Additional Precautions
• 10.0 Alteration and Dismantling of Scaffolds Near Electrical Hazards
• 11.0 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Requirements
• 11.1 Pre‑Use and Periodic Scaffold Inspections
• 11.2 Electrical Equipment Inspection and Tagging on Construction Sites
• 12.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 13.0 Communication, Signage and Consultation with Workers
• 14.0 Emergency Response and Incident Management
• 14.1 Response to Electric Shock or Arc Flash
• 14.2 Rescue from Height Involving Electrical Hazards
• 15.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the SOP
• 16.0 Document Control and Recordkeeping

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant state/territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (particularly provisions relating to electrical safety and construction work)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS/NZS 1576 series: Scaffolding
• AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment
• Electrical safety legislation and network operator requirements applicable in the relevant state or territory