COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Hazard Prevention & Control in Electrical Installations course. This training is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to identify, manage, and eliminate electrical hazards across various installation environments.
This course aligns with Australian WHS legislation and relevant industry standards, supporting a proactive safety culture and reducing the likelihood of injury, fire, or electrocution on worksites.
We begin by exploring the importance of electrical safety and the legal responsibilities of both workers and Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs). This section introduces common hazards in electrical work—such as arc flash, shock, and faulty wiring—and outlines the critical need for preventive controls in every installation task.
Understanding the types of hazards is fundamental to effective risk management. This section identifies key electrical risks, including electric shock, fire from overheating or poor terminations, and trip hazards from trailing cords, reinforcing the need for hazard awareness at all stages of a job.
Compliance is central to electrical safety. This section provides an overview of AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules), the Electrical Safety Act, and applicable Codes of Practice, while also detailing when Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) must be used for high-risk electrical activities.
Conducting thorough risk assessments is a legal requirement and practical necessity. This section guides you through identifying high-risk environments, assessing task-specific risks, and determining the likelihood and severity of potential incidents.
SWMS are mandatory for many electrical tasks. This section covers how to structure a SWMS that outlines each task, hazard, and corresponding control, and highlights the importance of worker consultation during its development and on-site implementation.
Lockout and tagout (LOTO) procedures protect lives. This section explains how to isolate electrical sources using lockout devices and danger tags, and outlines the step-by-step process for verifying zero energy before any electrical work begins.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is your last line of defence. This section describes the correct selection, use, and maintenance of insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing, face shields, and other PPE appropriate for various electrical tasks, especially during fault finding and live testing.
Working near live components introduces additional dangers. This section details the conditions under which live work is permitted, how to establish exclusion zones, and the proper use of insulated tools and physical barriers to prevent accidental contact.
Tools and equipment must be safe and compliant. This section explains how to inspect leads, plugs, and RCDs; apply the correct tagging protocols; and avoid unsafe practices involving extension cords and portable powerboards on busy sites.
Electrical testing is an essential activity that carries inherent risk. This section focuses on safe testing techniques using multimeters and other instruments, and covers mandatory testing procedures outlined in AS/NZS 3017 for verifying that circuits are de-energised.
Earthing and bonding systems protect workers and equipment. This section explains the role of earthing in preventing electrical faults and ensures learners understand the importance of bonding exposed metal parts and maintaining earthing continuity throughout installations.
Switchboard safety is critical to operational integrity. This section outlines proper mounting, circuit labelling, clearance requirements, and safe internal layout practices to reduce the risk of short circuits, overloads, and future maintenance hazards.
Cables must be installed without compromise. This section covers how to avoid damaging cable sheathing during routing, protect cables from abrasion and heat, and use compliant conduits, trays, and fixings in accordance with installation standards.
Height and confined space tasks present unique risks. This section addresses safe access methods using ladders or scaffolding, identifies hazards in ceiling spaces and risers, and covers confined space entry procedures including air testing and ventilation.
Fire risks must be considered during all phases of electrical work. This section details how to select appropriate fire extinguishers for electrical fires, plan for emergency shutdowns, and implement reporting systems for incident response and site evacuation.
Construction sites present electrocution risks due to their dynamic nature. This section reinforces the need for site induction training, highlights procedures for identifying overhead and underground services, and promotes the use of clear signage and physical separation from electrical hazards.
Coordination with other trades is essential. This section explains how to communicate work activities, prevent service clashes, and manage shared spaces to avoid unintentional energisation or interference with live systems during multi-trade operations.
Effective safety is not static—it requires ongoing monitoring. This final section guides learners through the process of conducting routine inspections, supervisory audits, and procedural updates following incidents or near misses, ensuring continuous improvement and legal compliance.
By the end of this course, you will have the confidence and competence to apply best-practice hazard control strategies in electrical installations, contributing to safer workplaces, compliant operations, and the protection of all personnel involved in electrical tasks.
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 Electrical Safety and Hazard Control
- Importance of hazard prevention in electrical work
- Common electrical installation risks
- Legal duties of workers and PCBUs under WHS laws
2. Understanding Types of Electrical Hazards
- Electric shock and arc flash
- Fire hazards from overheating or faulty connections
- Trip and entanglement risks from cords and tools
3. Relevant Australian Standards and Regulatory Compliance
- AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Wiring Rules) overview
- Electrical Safety Act and associated codes
- Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) requirements
4. Risk Assessment for Electrical Installations
- Conducting site-specific risk assessments
- Identifying high-risk tasks and environments
- Determining likelihood and consequence
5. Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for Electrical Work
- When SWMS are legally required
- Structuring SWMS with task, hazard, and control measures
- Consulting workers during development and implementation
6. Lockout and Tagout Procedures (LOTO)
- Purpose of isolation in electrical work
- Lockout devices, padlocks, and danger tags
- Steps for verifying zero energy before starting work
7. Selection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Insulated gloves, arc-rated clothing, and face shields
- PPE for testing and fault-finding tasks
- Maintenance and replacement of safety gear
8. Working Near Live Electrical Parts
- Requirements for energised work under WHS laws
- Using insulated tools and barriers
- Safe approach distances and exclusion zones
9. Safe Use of Tools and Equipment
- Inspecting leads, plugs, and power tools
- RCD protection and tagging requirements
- Preventing misuse of extension leads and powerboards
10. Electrical Testing and Verification Safety
- Using multimeters and test instruments safely
- Verifying de-energisation before touching conductors
- Compliance with testing requirements under AS/NZS 3017
11. Earthing and Bonding for Electrical Safety
- Function and importance of earthing systems
- Ensuring continuity of earthing connections
- Bonding of exposed metal parts and equipment
12. Safe Installation of Switchboards and Distribution Boards
- Secure mounting and appropriate clearances
- Identifying main switch and circuit labelling
- Preventing overcrowding and short circuits
13. Hazard Prevention in Cable Installation
- Avoiding damage to cables during pulling and routing
- Ensuring protection from sharp edges and heat sources
- Using compliant conduits, trays, and fixings
14. Working at Heights and in Confined Spaces
- Ladder and scaffold safety for electrical tasks
- Hazards in ceiling voids and risers
- Atmospheric testing and ventilation in confined areas
15. Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Fire extinguisher types for electrical fires
- Emergency shutdown procedures
- Incident reporting and emergency contact systems
16. Preventing Electrocution on Construction Sites
- Site induction and worker awareness training
- Overhead and underground service identification
- Use of signage and physical barriers
17. Coordination with Other Trades and Site Personnel
- Communicating work activities and hazards
- Avoiding service clashes and unintentional energisation
- Managing shared spaces and cross-trade risks
18. Monitoring and Reviewing Control Measures
- Routine inspections of installation safety
- Supervisory checks and audits
- Updating procedures based on incident reports
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”.