The short answer: Queensland's Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 - Works is primarily about electricity entity assets. It covers electrical safety risks associated with earthing systems, underground cable systems and structures supporting overhead lines that form part of an electricity entity's works.
For builders, subcontractors, supervisors and tradies, it is particularly relevant when construction, excavation, plant movement or maintenance interfaces with network assets or other entity-controlled works. The Code does not provide the complete risk-management process for carrying out work on or associated with those assets, so the task must also be planned under the current requirements and guidance that apply to the actual activity.
Information current at 14 August 2026. Local requirements vary across Australia, so check current material from the regulator and electricity entity for the work location. National Model Codes provide useful general orientation but are not automatically applicable law in every jurisdiction.
Main hazards to consider
Electricity entity works can expose people to severe hazards, including:
- electric shock through direct contact, indirect contact, tracking or arcing
- burns caused by arcing, explosion or fire
- dangerous step-and-touch voltages around faults and earthing systems
- toxic gases or contaminants released by burning electrical equipment
- underground cable strikes during excavation, drilling or trenchless work
- contact between overhead lines and cranes, scaffolds, elevated plant or long materials
- damaged cables, supports, protective systems or exposed conductive parts
- unauthorised access to live equipment.
Conditions such as wet ground, confined spaces, damaged protection, ageing assets, design changes and poorly coordinated work can increase the risk.
What should be sorted before work starts
First, establish whether electricity entity works are present and who controls them. Contact the asset owner or electricity entity early enough to obtain plans, restrictions, access conditions and technical advice.
Before starting, the project team should usually:
- define the task, work sequence and possible interaction with electrical assets
- consult affected workers, subcontractors, plant operators and the asset controller
- obtain current service plans and as-installed cable records
- use suitable locating methods to positively identify underground cables
- inspect the area for poles, pits, pillars, markers, exposed equipment and changed ground conditions
- decide whether the hazard can be eliminated or the work relocated
- establish isolation, exclusion-zone, access, supervision and emergency arrangements
- confirm that workers have suitable information, training, instruction and supervision.
Training should reflect the work, the electrical risks and the controls being used. It also needs to be presented in a form workers can readily understand.
What good controls and documents usually cover
Good planning follows the hierarchy of control. Elimination provides the highest protection. Where elimination is not reasonably practicable, consider substitution, isolation and engineering controls before relying on administrative controls or personal protective equipment.
For example, a safer design or different route may remove an underground cable conflict. Isolation can separate workers from an electrical hazard. Engineering measures may protect cables or prevent plant from reaching overhead lines. Permits, exclusion zones, signs and PPE can then support the higher-order controls.
Useful site documents commonly record:
- identified assets, hazards and control measures
- responsibilities and consultation arrangements
- plans, alignments, cable depths and locating results
- isolation, access and permit requirements
- plant routes, exclusion zones and spotter arrangements
- inspection, testing and maintenance actions
- emergency response and reporting steps
- changes, approvals and evidence that controls were implemented.
Underground cable records should remain current and accessible. A plan that does not match visible markers, previous work or locating results is a reason to stop and investigate.
When a SWMS or another site document commonly applies
For construction work, check whether a safe work method statement is required under the current WHS or OHS rules for that jurisdiction. A SWMS commonly applies when the task is classified as high risk construction work, including relevant work on or near energised electrical installations or services.
The SWMS should reflect the real site, work sequence, plant, interfaces and controls. It should be communicated before work starts and reviewed when the method, location, asset information or site conditions change.
Depending on the task, supporting documents may include a risk assessment, excavation permit, service-location plan, isolation procedure, access authority, emergency plan, inspection record or asset-owner approval.
Practical warning signs
Pause work and reassess if:
- cables or overhead lines cannot be positively identified
- site conditions conflict with drawings or as-installed records
- markers, covers, pits, poles or protective equipment are damaged
- exclusion zones are unclear or being breached
- plant, materials or workers can enter an electrical danger area
- water, excavation or vibration may affect electrical assets
- the work has changed from the approved SWMS, permit or plan
- required consultation, competency or emergency arrangements are missing.
How Blue Safe can help
Blue Safe provides compliant WHS documents tailored to the client's activities, applicable Australian WHS/OHS requirements, jurisdiction and industry. These can include electrical risk assessments, SWMS, site safety plans, procedures and supporting records matched to the work being performed.
Blue Safe guarantees the document compliance of the WHS documents it provides, including eligible customer documents after Blue Safe has reviewed and upgraded them. Customers actively put the compliant documents into practice through controls, consultation, training, actions, records and evidence.