Product Overview

Summary: This Safety Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical controls for working on and around high voltage (HV) electrical systems in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses manage extreme electrical risks, protect workers, and demonstrate due diligence under WHS legislation when installing, operating, testing, maintaining, or fault-finding HV equipment.

High voltage systems present some of the most severe risks found in Australian workplaces, including arc flash, electrocution and catastrophic equipment failure. This Safety Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach to planning, isolating, testing, operating and maintaining HV assets such as switchgear, transformers, substations and underground/overhead distribution systems. It focuses on safe work methods, authorisation controls and verification steps that are often missed when work is rushed or poorly coordinated.

Designed for organisations that own, operate or work near HV installations, the procedure helps convert complex technical requirements and legal obligations into clear, repeatable work practices. It supports businesses to control high‑consequence risks, coordinate multiple contractors, and provide robust evidence of compliance with WHS duties, electrical safety regulations and relevant Australian Standards. By implementing this SOP, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of serious electrical incidents while improving system reliability and worker confidence around HV infrastructure.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of electric shock, arc flash and arc blast incidents when working on or near high voltage systems.
• Ensure consistent application of isolation, lockout and test-for-dead practices across all HV tasks and sites.
• Demonstrate compliance with WHS legislation, electrical safety regulations and key Australian Standards for high voltage work.
• Improve coordination and communication between authorised HV operators, contractors and site management.
• Strengthen training, competency assessment and authorisation processes for personnel involved in HV operations.

Who is this for?

• High Voltage Electricians
• Electrical Engineers
• WHS Managers
• Electrical Supervisors
• Maintenance Managers
• Facility Managers
• High Voltage Switching Operators
• Construction Project Managers
• Asset and Infrastructure Managers
• Authorised Electrical Persons (HV)

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock and electrocution from contact with live high voltage conductors or equipment
• Arc flash and arc blast resulting in severe burns, blast injuries and hearing damage
• Uncontrolled release of stored electrical energy in capacitors and cables
• Inadvertent energisation due to inadequate isolation, lockout or tagging
• Explosions or fires in switchgear, transformers and HV enclosures
• Induced voltages and step/touch potentials around earthing systems and faulted equipment
• Equipment failure due to incorrect switching sequences or operating beyond ratings
• Falls and dropped objects when accessing overhead lines or elevated HV equipment
• Exposure to hazardous atmospheres in confined or restricted HV spaces (e.g. cable pits, substations)
• Vehicle and plant contact with overhead or underground HV assets

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and High Voltage System Overview
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Authorisation Levels
• 4.0 Competency, Training and Licensing Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Work Planning and Risk Assessment (SWMS/JSA)
• 6.0 High Voltage Isolation, Lockout and Tagout Procedures
• 7.0 Test-for-Dead and Verification of De-energisation
• 8.0 Earthing, Bonding and Induced Voltage Controls
• 9.0 Safe High Voltage Switching and Operating Sequences
• 10.0 Working On or Near Energised High Voltage Equipment (Exceptional Circumstances)
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Arc Flash Protection
• 12.0 Working Around Overhead and Underground HV Assets
• 13.0 Management of Contractors and Permit-to-Work Systems
• 14.0 Emergency Response, Rescue and Incident Reporting
• 15.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Testing of HV Equipment
• 16.0 Documentation, Records and Review of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and state/territory Electrical Safety Regulations
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS 2067: Substations and high voltage installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.
• AS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage and extra-low voltage electrical installations and equipment (used for complementary safe work principles around electrical systems)
• AS/NZS 7000: Overhead line design – Detailed procedures
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace
• State and territory Electrical Safety Codes of Practice and HV switching guidelines (e.g. Energy network HV access rules where applicable)