COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Planning Safe Work Activities in Electrotechnology Projects course. This training program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools to systematically plan safe work activities in line with legal obligations and best practice standards. Effective planning is the foundation of safety in electrical projects, helping to reduce risk, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance with work health and safety legislation.
This course begins by exploring the importance of planning in electrotechnology environments, highlighting how proactive safety planning contributes to hazard prevention, legal compliance, and the wellbeing of all site personnel. The section also discusses the roles and responsibilities of Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs), supervisors, and workers in meeting WHS and Electrical Safety legislative duties.
Understanding regulatory requirements is essential for lawful and safe electrical work. This section outlines the key obligations under the WHS Act, Electrical Safety Regulations, and relevant Codes of Practice, offering practical guidance on how to align work practices with Safe Work Australia recommendations and licensing conditions.
Every safe electrical project begins with clearly defining the scope of work. In this section, you’ll learn how to review electrical plans, interpret job documentation, identify stages of the project, and clarify the inclusions, exclusions, and limitations that impact planning and safety.
Before work starts on site, inductions and pre-start planning must be completed. This section covers the importance of site-specific inductions, how to communicate safety protocols to workers, and how to ensure everyone signs onto Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and understands their responsibilities.
Effective risk assessment is a core component of safety planning. This section explains how to identify task-specific electrical hazards—such as electric shock, arc flash, and fire—evaluate the severity and likelihood of those risks, and apply the hierarchy of control to minimise danger.
Safe Work Method Statements are legally required for many electrical tasks. This section teaches how to develop, structure, and implement SWMS that outline task steps, associated risks, and control measures. You’ll also learn the importance of consultation, signatures, and regular review of these documents.
Job Safety Analysis (JSA) helps break down complex tasks into manageable steps. This section explores how to identify hazards at each stage of the task, apply appropriate controls, and ensure that the work is logically sequenced and understood by everyone involved.
Electrotechnology worksites often involve multiple trades. In this section, you’ll learn how to coordinate activities with plumbers, HVAC technicians, carpenters, and others—avoiding service clashes, managing shared spaces, and ensuring safe sequencing of installation, testing, and commissioning.
All equipment and protective gear must be ready for safe use. This section focuses on selecting the correct PPE for electrical work, inspecting and tagging tools and testing instruments, and ensuring compliance with Australian standards for safety equipment.
Electrical isolation must be planned and executed correctly to avoid deadly risks. This section provides step-by-step guidance on lockout/tagout procedures, including planning isolation points, applying physical locks and tags, and verifying de-energisation before work begins.
Working at heights and in confined spaces requires specific planning. Here, you’ll learn how to identify elevated and restricted work zones, implement fall protection measures, and prepare for confined space entry through permits, gas testing, and emergency rescue planning.
Temporary power is often required during construction. This section explains how to safely set up site power boards, install RCD protection, manage lighting circuits, and ensure temporary systems are maintained to prevent overloads, trip hazards, and electrical fires.
Materials and equipment must be staged with access and safety in mind. This section discusses how to plan the layout of materials, reduce manual handling injuries using aids and trolleys, and ensure walkways and work zones remain clear and hazard-free.
Planning also involves considering the environmental impact of your work. You’ll learn how to minimise dust, noise, and runoff, manage hazardous materials and electrical waste responsibly, and comply with local environmental protection guidelines.
Emergency preparedness is essential. This section teaches how to identify emergency risks specific to electrical work, such as arc flash or fire, develop appropriate response plans, and ensure that all workers know evacuation procedures, muster points, and roles in an emergency.
Once work begins, effective supervision is required to ensure safety plans are followed. This section covers how to assign tasks based on competency, monitor compliance in real-time, and take corrective action when unsafe behaviours or conditions are observed.
Documentation plays a key role in safety planning and accountability. This section outlines how to maintain current versions of SWMS, permits, and risk assessments, record toolbox meetings and inspections, and organise documents for internal and external audits.
Finally, all planning should be subject to review and improvement. This section guides you through conducting post-job reviews, analysing incidents or near misses for lessons learned, and updating safety planning processes to continuously improve outcomes on future projects.
By the end of this course, you will have the skills and understanding required to plan safe, compliant, and efficient electrical work activities—contributing to a safer worksite and a stronger culture of risk prevention in electrotechnology projects.
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 Safe Work Planning in Electrotechnology
- The importance of planning for safety in electrical projects
- Legal obligations under WHS and Electrical Safety laws
- Benefits of proactive planning for risk reduction and efficiency
2. Understanding Legal and Regulatory Requirements
- WHS Act and Regulation responsibilities
- Electrical Safety Regulations and licensing conditions
- Codes of Practice and Safe Work Australia guidance
3. Defining the Scope of Electrical Work Activities
- Reviewing project documents and electrical plans
- Identifying work stages and expected outcomes
- Clarifying inclusions, exclusions, and limitations
4. Site Induction and Pre-Start Planning
- Site-specific induction requirements
- Communicating hazards and safety protocols to all personnel
- Signing onto SWMS and other required documentation
5. Conducting Risk Assessments for Electrical Tasks
- Identifying task-specific hazards
- Assessing likelihood and consequence of risks
- Implementing controls using the hierarchy of control
6. Developing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
- When and why SWMS are required in electrical work
- Structuring SWMS with task steps, risks, and controls
- Ensuring SWMS are understood, signed, and followed
7. Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and Task Breakdown
- Breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps
- Identifying potential hazards at each stage
- Determining appropriate control measures
8. Coordinating Work with Other Trades
- Managing shared work zones and schedules
- Communicating clearly to avoid service clashes
- Planning sequencing for installation, testing, and commissioning
9. Ensuring PPE and Equipment Readiness
- Selecting suitable PPE based on task risk
- Inspecting tools, testing equipment, and safety devices
- Ensuring all equipment is tagged and compliant
10. Managing Electrical Isolation and Lockout Procedures
- Planning for safe isolation of circuits and systems
- Using lockout/tagout devices correctly
- Verifying isolation before beginning energised work
11. Safe Planning for Working at Heights and in Confined Spaces
- Identifying elevated and restricted access areas
- Ensuring fall protection systems are in place
- Preparing confined space entry permits and rescue plans
12. Planning for Temporary Electrical Supply and Lighting
- Installing site power boards and RCD protection
- Ensuring safe use of leads, extension cords, and lighting
- Managing power usage to avoid overloads and hazards
13. Material and Resource Planning for Safe Access
- Staging cable drums, switchboards, and conduit safely
- Preventing manual handling injuries through mechanical aids
- Keeping walkways and work zones clear
14. Environmental Considerations in Work Planning
- Planning to reduce dust, noise, and runoff
- Managing hazardous waste and e-waste responsibly
- Complying with environmental protection guidelines
15. Emergency Planning for Electrical Worksites
- Identifying site-specific emergency risks
- Planning for fire, electric shock, and arc flash response
- Communicating emergency procedures and muster points
16. Supervising and Monitoring Safe Work Activities
- Assigning tasks based on worker competencies
- Monitoring for compliance with safety procedures
- Intervening and correcting unsafe behaviours
17. Documentation and Record-Keeping Requirements
- Maintaining up-to-date SWMS, risk assessments, and permits
- Recording toolbox talks, inspections, and sign-on sheets
- Storing safety documentation for regulatory audits
18. Reviewing and Improving Work Planning Practices
- Conducting post-job reviews and debriefings
- Analysing incidents or near misses for learning
- Updating planning processes to improve safety outcomes
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”.