Product Overview

Summary: This specialised SOP provides clear, practical guidance for working safely around high voltage systems in solar farms, wind farms, battery energy storage systems and associated infrastructure. It helps Australian renewable energy businesses control electrical risks, protect workers, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS law when operating, maintaining, testing or fault-finding on high voltage equipment.

High voltage infrastructure is at the heart of Australia’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector, from grid‑connected solar farms and wind farms to large‑scale battery storage and substations. With this growth comes a significant increase in electrical risk, particularly for technicians and contractors working on or near high voltage equipment such as transformers, switchgear, inverters, underground and overhead feeders, and BESS installations. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, step‑by‑step approach to planning, authorising and performing high voltage tasks in a way that minimises the risk of electric shock, arc flash, burns, falls from height linked to electrical faults, and catastrophic equipment failure.

The document translates complex WHS and electrical requirements into practical field procedures tailored to renewable energy sites. It covers high voltage isolation and lockout/tagout, switching programs, proving de‑energisation, earthing and bonding, safe approach distances, working on live parts only where absolutely necessary and legally permitted, and managing the interface between HV systems and DC/AC renewable plant. It also addresses the unique challenges of remote locations, multi‑employer sites, weather exposure, and integrating OEM instructions for wind turbines, solar inverters and BESS systems. By implementing this SOP, businesses can standardise high voltage work practices across projects, support competency‑based training, satisfy client and network operator expectations, and provide clear evidence of a robust electrical safety system should an incident or audit occur.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, best‑practice high voltage work methods across solar, wind and battery sites.
• Reduce the likelihood of electric shock, arc flash, burns and other serious electrical injuries.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant electrical standards during audits and client pre‑qualifications.
• Support competency development and authorisation of HV workers through clear roles, permits and step‑by‑step procedures.
• Minimise unplanned outages, equipment damage and project downtime caused by unsafe switching or isolation practices.

Who is this for?

• High Voltage (HV) Electricians
• Renewable Energy Technicians
• Wind Turbine Technicians
• Solar Farm Maintenance Technicians
• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Technicians
• High Voltage Switching Operators
• Electrical Engineers and Project Engineers
• Site Supervisors and Team Leaders
• WHS Managers and Safety Advisors
• Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Managers
• Authorised Persons (HV Systems)
• Construction Project Managers (Renewables)

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock and electrocution from contact with energised high voltage conductors or equipment
• Arc flash and arc blast resulting in burns, blast injuries and fire
• Inadvertent energisation due to inadequate isolation, locking and tagging
• Induced voltages and back‑feed from generators, inverters and battery energy storage systems
• Explosive failure of switchgear, transformers or high voltage cables
• Falls from height associated with electrical faults in wind turbines or elevated structures
• Fire and thermal hazards from high fault currents and equipment overheating
• Exposure to hazardous gases or oils from failed transformers and switchgear
• Vehicle and plant contact with overhead high voltage lines in and around renewable sites
• Psychological stress and fatigue‑related errors during complex HV switching operations

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (HV, BESS, O&M, Authorised Person, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Authorisation Levels
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Site Requirements
• 5.0 Competency, Training and Licensing Requirements for HV Work
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for High Voltage Tasks
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Arc‑Rated Clothing Requirements
• 8.0 Tools, Test Equipment and Inspection Requirements
• 9.0 High Voltage Isolation, Lockout/Tagout and Proving De‑energisation
• 10.0 High Voltage Switching Programs and Access Permits
• 11.0 Earthing, Bonding and Discharge Procedures for HV Equipment
• 12.0 Safe Approach Distances and No‑Go Zones (Including Overhead and Underground Assets)
• 13.0 Interface with Renewable Energy Systems (Solar, Wind, BESS and Inverters)
• 14.0 Working in Substations, Switchrooms and Control Rooms
• 15.0 Working on Wind Turbines and Elevated HV Equipment
• 16.0 Environmental and Remote Area Considerations (Weather, Isolation, Communications)
• 17.0 Emergency Response, Rescue and Incident Reporting for HV Events
• 18.0 Pre‑Start Checks, Job Planning and Toolbox Talks
• 19.0 Documentation, Records and Audit Requirements
• 20.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and State/Territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and State/Territory equivalents)
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS 2067: Substations and high voltage installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.
• AS/NZS 7000: Overhead line design – Detailed procedures
• AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment (referenced for principles and PPE selection, adapted for HV context)
• AS/NZS 61439 series: Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies (interface with HV systems)
• State and Territory Electrical Safety Acts and Regulations (e.g. Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld))
• Network service provider (DNSP/TSO) high voltage access and switching rules, where applicable