Product Overview

Summary: This Electrical Safety and Lockout Tagout Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step system for isolating, locking and tagging electrical plant and equipment before any work is carried out. Designed for Australian workplaces, it helps eliminate the risk of electric shock, arc flash and unexpected energisation while demonstrating due diligence under WHS legislation.

Electrical work and maintenance activities carry a high risk of serious injury or fatality if energy sources are not properly controlled. This Electrical Safety and Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, repeatable process for identifying all electrical energy sources, isolating them correctly, and applying locks and tags so that no one can accidentally re-energise equipment while work is in progress. It clearly defines who is authorised to isolate, how isolation points are verified, and what documentation and communication are required at every stage.

Tailored for Australian WHS requirements, the SOP supports businesses in meeting their duty of care under the model WHS Regulations and relevant electrical safety legislation. It addresses common problem areas such as informal isolation practices, inconsistent tagging, lack of personal locks, and poor shift handover. By implementing this procedure, organisations can significantly reduce the likelihood of electric shock, arc flash, burns, and other serious incidents, while also improving coordination between electrical and non-electrical workers. The result is safer maintenance, fewer unplanned outages, and a robust, auditable process that stands up to regulator and client scrutiny.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of electric shock, arc flash and unexpected energisation during electrical and maintenance work.
• Ensure consistent, documented lockout tagout practices across all sites, shifts and contractors.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS and electrical safety legislation through a clear, auditable procedure.
• Improve communication and coordination between electricians, operators and supervisors during isolations and handovers.
• Support faster onboarding and competency development with a clear, step-by-step process for safe isolation and re-energisation.

Who is this for?

• Electricians
• Maintenance Technicians
• Mechanical Fitters
• Site Supervisors
• WHS Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Engineering Managers
• Production Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock from contact with live electrical conductors or equipment
• Arc flash and arc blast resulting in burns, eye damage and blast injuries
• Unexpected start-up or movement of machinery during maintenance or cleaning
• Stored electrical energy in capacitors and other components
• Secondary energy sources such as backfeed, generators and UPS systems
• Contact with exposed live parts during testing and fault-finding
• Inadvertent removal of isolations due to poor communication or unclear tagging
• Fire and explosion risks from electrical faults in hazardous areas

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Isolation, Lockout, Tagout, Competent Person, Authorised Person)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre-Work Requirements and Risk Assessment (JSA/SWMS)
• 6.0 Identification of Electrical and Other Energy Sources
• 7.0 Lockout Tagout Equipment Requirements (Locks, Tags, Hasps, Devices)
• 8.0 Step-by-Step Procedure for Electrical Isolation and Lockout Tagout
• 9.0 Verification of Isolation and Testing for Dead
• 10.0 Control of Stored and Residual Energy
• 11.0 Group Lockout and Multiple Worker Coordination
• 12.0 Management of Contractors and Visitors During LOTO
• 13.0 Shift Handover, Transfer of Control and Removal of Locks/Tags
• 14.0 Re-energisation Procedure and Post-Work Checks
• 15.0 Emergency Situations and Deviation from Standard Process
• 16.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation Requirements
• 17.0 Inspection, Audit and Continuous Improvement of LOTO Practices
• 18.0 Recordkeeping and Documentation
• 19.0 Appendices (Sample LOTO Register, Isolation Point List, Checklists and Forms)

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Electrical Safety Acts and Regulations applicable in each state and territory