COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Emergency Preparedness & Response in Electrical Projects course. This program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to effectively plan for, respond to, and recover from emergencies that may arise during electrical installation and maintenance works.
Electrical sites present unique risks that require a proactive, structured approach to safety and compliance. This course begins with an overview of emergency preparedness, defining the importance of planning ahead to prevent injury, damage, and regulatory breaches. This section explores the types of emergencies most commonly encountered in electrical work—such as electric shock, arc flash, fires, and equipment failures—and outlines the legal and moral obligations of all workplace parties under Australian WHS legislation.
A strong understanding of the WHS Act, Regulations, and applicable Codes of Practice is essential for compliance. This section unpacks the responsibilities of persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), site supervisors, and workers in maintaining an environment prepared for emergency response, supported by Safe Work Australia’s guidance.
Next, we identify potential emergency scenarios specific to electrical projects, including high-voltage incidents, fire hazards, equipment explosions, and environmental emergencies such as chemical spills or extreme weather conditions. Recognising these risks early is critical to building an effective response framework.
An Emergency Management Plan (EMP) is a core document for every electrical project. This section outlines the essential components of an EMP, from evacuation maps to contact lists, and explains the importance of assigning and training emergency roles, such as fire wardens and first aid officers.
Emergency preparedness must begin with a thorough site-specific risk assessment. This section focuses on identifying high-risk electrical tasks, assessing the likelihood and impact of emergencies, and applying appropriate control measures to reduce risk across all phases of a project.
Clear and accessible evacuation procedures save lives. You’ll learn how to plan and document safe evacuation routes, establish muster points, and ensure all personnel—regardless of ability—can exit the site efficiently in the event of an emergency.
Clear delegation of emergency roles is essential. This section discusses how to assign, train, and verify competence for individuals taking on key emergency responsibilities, while ensuring communication and decision-making chains are clearly understood by everyone on site.
Electrical incidents require fast, informed action. We explore first aid response protocols for electric shock, arc burns, and cardiac arrest, with instruction on CPR, the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and the care of traumatised workers during and after an incident.
Arc flash and electrical fires require specialist knowledge to manage safely. This section provides guidance on recognising arc flash hazards, isolating power sources, safely operating extinguishers, and following fire response protocols aligned with industry standards.
Every site must be equipped with functional emergency gear. Here, you’ll learn how to inspect, store, and maintain equipment such as fire extinguishers, AEDs, spill kits, and first aid supplies, in accordance with WHS and electrical safety legislation.
Communication is critical during emergencies. This section outlines systems for internal and external communication, including radio protocols, mobile alerts, and escalation procedures, ensuring emergency information is shared promptly and clearly.
Collaboration with emergency services is vital to effective incident management. You’ll learn how to liaise with fire, ambulance, and police units by providing clear access information, site maps, and technical briefings during response activities.
Environmental emergencies require specialised responses. This section details how to manage chemical spills from batteries or fuels, prevent electrical contamination of stormwater systems, and comply with EPA and local environmental reporting standards.
Practice makes perfect. Here, we cover how to plan and conduct emergency drills and simulations on-site, evaluate team performance, and document the results for continuous improvement and regulatory record-keeping.
In the aftermath of an emergency, thorough incident reporting and investigation are crucial. You’ll learn how to collect facts, document accounts, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence, all within required WHS timeframes.
Supporting your team post-incident is just as important. This section addresses the importance of debriefing, psychological first aid, and ensuring workers feel supported as they return to duties, alongside reviewing and updating the emergency management plan as needed.
We conclude by focusing on the continuous improvement of emergency systems. This includes staying alert to trends in incident types, updating emergency response plans and contact lists regularly, and fostering a culture of preparedness and safety leadership throughout every level of the electrical project team.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge to develop, implement, and lead emergency preparedness and response strategies in electrical worksites, helping to create safer, more resilient project environments that protect both people and property.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Emergency Preparedness in Electrical Work
- Definition and importance of emergency planning
- Common emergencies in electrical projects
- Legal and moral obligations under WHS legislation
2. WHS Legislation and Regulatory Compliance
- WHS Act and Regulation
- Duty of care for PCBUs, supervisors, and workers
- Safe Work Australia codes of practice on emergency response
3. Identifying Emergency Scenarios in Electrical Projects
- Electric shock and arc flash incidents
- Fire, explosion, and equipment failure
- Environmental emergencies and site evacuations
4. Developing an Emergency Management Plan (EMP)
- Components of an effective EMP for electrical sites
- Roles and responsibilities of key personnel
- Ensuring EMP compliance with WHS requirements
5. Site-Specific Emergency Risk Assessment
- Identifying potential hazards and high-risk tasks
- Assessing likelihood and severity of emergencies
- Implementing controls and mitigation measures
6. Establishing Emergency Evacuation Procedures
- Evacuation routes, muster points, and signage
- Procedures for partial and full site evacuations
- Ensuring accessibility for all workers
7. Emergency Response Roles and Responsibilities
- Appointing first aiders, fire wardens, and emergency coordinators
- Training responsibilities and competence verification
- Chain of command and communication flow during emergencies
8. First Aid Response for Electrical Injuries
- Immediate response to electric shock and burns
- Performing CPR and using AEDs
- Managing unconscious or traumatised individuals
9. Arc Flash and Electrical Fire Response Procedures
- Recognising arc flash symptoms and causes
- Safe use of fire extinguishers on energised systems
- Isolating power sources and raising alarms
10. Use and Maintenance of Emergency Equipment
- Fire extinguishers, spill kits, AEDs, and first aid kits
- Inspection, tagging, and servicing schedules
- Safe and legal storage of emergency supplies
11. Communication Systems for Emergency Response
- Emergency contact numbers and escalation procedures
- Radios, alarms, and mobile alerts
- Keeping communication devices functional and accessible
12. Coordinating with Emergency Services
- Notifying emergency services
- Providing site layout and access information
- Cooperating during fire, ambulance, or police response
13. Responding to Environmental Emergencies
- Managing chemical spills
- Preventing electrical runoff into waterways
- Complying with EPA reporting requirements
14. Conducting Emergency Drills and Simulations
- Planning and running realistic site-based emergency drills
- Evaluating participation and effectiveness
- Documenting outcomes and areas for improvement
15. Incident Reporting and Investigation After an Emergency
- Immediate documentation and notification procedures
- Collecting witness accounts and evidence
- Identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions
16. Post-Emergency Support and Recovery
- Supporting injured or affected workers
- Returning to work and psychological first aid
- Reviewing and revising emergency plans as required
17. Continuous Improvement of Emergency Systems
- Monitoring trends and lessons learned
- Updating EMPs, contact lists, and site procedures
- Promoting a safety and preparedness culture
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.