Product Overview

Summary: This Remote Area Power Systems Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step‑by‑step framework for safely planning, operating and maintaining off‑grid and hybrid power systems in remote Australian locations. It helps your team manage electrical, fuel, environmental and access risks while keeping critical power supplies reliable and compliant with WHS and electrical safety legislation.

Remote area power systems – whether solar‑battery, diesel‑hybrid or standalone generation – are often installed in harsh, isolated environments where help is hours away and power supply is business‑critical. This Safe Operating Procedure sets out a practical, defensible method for planning work, isolating and energising equipment, conducting inspections and maintenance, refuelling generators, and responding to faults and emergencies. It is written for Australian conditions, with a focus on electrical safety, remote work risks, and the realities of operating in heat, dust, storms and limited communications coverage.

By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence under WHS law, standardise how remote power assets are managed, and significantly reduce the likelihood of electrical incidents, fuel‑related fires, environmental spills and unplanned outages. The document clarifies roles and responsibilities, embeds pre‑start and shutdown checklists, and sets out clear escalation and communication pathways when things go wrong. It is particularly valuable for businesses that rely on remote power for mining and exploration camps, telecommunications towers, water and wastewater assets, pastoral operations, defence facilities and emergency services infrastructure, where a structured, safety‑led approach to power system operation is essential.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe operation, isolation and maintenance of remote area power systems in line with Australian WHS and electrical safety requirements.
• Reduce the risk of electrical shock, arc flash, fuel fires and environmental incidents at remote and unattended sites.
• Standardise work practices across multiple locations and contractors, improving reliability and asset performance.
• Support compliance with remote and isolated work procedures, including communication, journey management and emergency response.
• Minimise unplanned outages and costly call‑outs by embedding routine inspection, testing and preventative maintenance processes.

Who is this for?

• Remote Site Managers
• Electrical Engineers
• Electricians
• WHS Managers
• Field Technicians
• Operations and Maintenance Supervisors
• Mining and Resources Project Managers
• Telecommunications Infrastructure Managers
• Local Government Asset Managers
• Defence and Emergency Services Logistics Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock and electrocution from live electrical components and exposed conductors
• Arc flash and arc blast during switching, fault finding or incorrect isolation
• Fire and explosion from diesel fuel, LPG, battery off‑gassing or inverter faults
• Battery hazards including chemical exposure, thermal runaway and short circuits
• Falls, slips and trips around generators, solar arrays, cable runs and uneven terrain
• Heat stress, dehydration and environmental exposure for workers in remote, hot conditions
• Manual handling injuries from lifting batteries, fuel containers and heavy components
• Vehicle and mobile plant incidents during site access, refuelling and equipment transport
• Environmental contamination from fuel, oil and coolant spills at remote sites
• Lone and remote work risks, including delayed emergency response and communication failure

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and System Overview
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Remote Work and Site Access Requirements
• 6.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for Remote Power Systems
• 7.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Tools
• 8.0 Pre‑Start Checks and Site Inspection
• 9.0 Electrical Isolation, Lockout and Tagout Procedure
• 10.0 Normal Operating Procedures for Remote Area Power Systems
• 11.0 Solar, Battery and Inverter Specific Safety Requirements
• 12.0 Generator Operation, Refuelling and Fuel Storage Controls
• 13.0 Routine Inspection, Testing and Preventative Maintenance
• 14.0 Environmental Protection and Spill Response
• 15.0 Lone and Remote Work Communication and Check‑in Protocols
• 16.0 Fault Diagnosis, Troubleshooting and Escalation
• 17.0 Emergency Response, Fire and Electrical Incident Procedures
• 18.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 19.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 20.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and relevant state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations
• Electrical Safety Act and Regulations (state and territory specific, e.g. Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld))
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 4509 Series: Stand-alone power systems
• AS/NZS 5033:2021 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
• AS/NZS 3010:2017 Electrical installations – Generating sets
• AS/NZS 3760:2022 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
• AS/NZS 60079 Series: Explosive atmospheres (where applicable to fuel storage and hazardous areas)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems