Owners and managers of premises with high-voltage electrical installations can now access updated guidance from WA’s energy and workplace safety regulators.

Facilities such as large shopping centres, industrial complexes, apartment buildings and mine sites are likely to have the high-voltage infrastructure, defined as 1,000V AC or more.

Building & Energy and WorkSafe collaborated on the high-voltage electrical installation guidelines to ensure they reflect WA’s current regulatory framework, including electrical safety legislation and the Work Health and Safety Act 2020. The publication is issued by WA’s director of energy safety and endorsed by the WorkSafe Commissioner.

“High-voltage risks must be effectively managed because a fault can release significant energy with potentially catastrophic results,” Director of Energy Safety Saj Abdoolakhan says.

“A person conducting a business or undertaking at a premises with a high-voltage electrical installation is responsible for managing its design, construction, operation, maintenance and electrical safety.

He adds that this includes submitting design proposals to the network operator for assessment and maintaining comprehensive electrical safety management plans and safe operating procedures.

Acting WorkSafe commissioner, Sally North, says the revised guidelines aligned with provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and associated regulations.

“Persons conducting a business or undertaking at a workplace are responsible for the safety of people and property in relation to the management and conduct of undertakings at those premises,” she says.

“For workplaces with high-voltage installations, consideration should also be given to requirements such as overhead and underground electric lines, duties for plant, incident notifications and high-voltage requirements on mines, such as statutory positions and vicinity permits.”