Electric vehicle guidance

PCBUs should consider the following when undertaking hazard identification, risk management and ensuring safe systems of work:

• hazard identification processes are conducted by trained staff (for both general hazards and electrical hazards)
• risk assessments of identified hazards are conducted by trained staff
• any processes, procedures, specifications, manuals or identified risks from the original equipment manufacturer are followed
• consideration is given to:
  • legislative requirements and codes of practice
  • relevant Australian Standards (such as AS 5732:2022 Electric vehicle operations — Maintenance and repair)
  • suitable industry standards
  • original equipment manufacturer work practices
  • relevant safe work practice/procedure.
• consideration is given to any associated tasks that may impact on electrical parts (such as welding or grinding)
• access permit processes (such as establishing exclusion zones), tag and lock out processes
• work location and environment (e.g., wet weather, access and evacuation in an emergency)
• isolating, de-powering and testing the electrical system to ensure the system is de-powered prior to undertaking work, and re-testing as necessary (e.g., after leaving and returning to the area)
• discharging components that may hold an electric charge before working on or near them
• tools and equipment are adequate for the work, including using non-conductive tools where possible (or electrically insulated for the voltages present as required), and that tools are properly checked and maintained (e.g., test and tag processes and inspection regime, and unsafe label processes for damaged or defective equipment)
• processes are in place to ensure electrical safety if work is left uncompleted for any period
• testing of work once completed to ensure the outcome of the work is electrically safe
• adequate documentation and records are kept and signed by appropriately authorised persons.

If work is performed while parts are energised (e.g., some commissioning, fault finding or testing activities), adequate risk mitigation processes should be in place, such as:

• authorisation for the work
• ensuring only persons who are appropriately trained perform the work (including being trained in access permit process)
• reduction of voltages or separation of energised parts occurs as much as possible
• ensuring access to the work area is limited by using signage and barriers and is clear of obstacles or obstructions (but with identified access for emergency rescue or evacuation if required)
• safety observers
• suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)
• the prohibition of metallic personal items (e.g., metal watchband or jewellery)
• consideration of physical working conditions (e.g., limited space, need to reach over other parts, awkward positions to perform the work, risks if tools slip or are dropped).

A PCBU must ensure workers are provided with information, training, instruction, or supervision that is necessary for them to safely perform their role.

Training can be provided in a variety of ways but needs to be relevant to the worker and structured in a way to assists them to learn and understand complex electrical theory and related risks. Training may be obtained from various sources such as relevant national units of competency, registered training organisation training courses, professional association training, in-house training, and original equipment manufacturer training.

For electrical safety, training needs to ensure the worker obtains a good understanding of:

• electrical theory
• electrical circuits and electrical components
• extra low voltage
• low voltage and high voltage electrical risks and hazards
• fault currents and shock paths
• earthing
• electrical insulation methodology and electrical protective devices
• actions to prevent electrical risk and hazards occurring
• understanding and use of electrical instruments
• understanding how to check for and identify defective or unsafe equipment (the equipment being worked on or electrical instruments used to perform the work)
• safe processes for fault finding, testing and verification processes.

PCBUs must ensure workers have the knowledge and skills required to work safely.

Workers must take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others in the workplace. Workers must also follow reasonable safety instructions and procedures.

Inexperienced workers may have limited knowledge of a PCBU’s practices and procedures. PCBUs should address a worker’s knowledge and skills during recruitment or as a part of their safety induction. Workers must be trained in the PCBU’s practices and procedures and should be mentored by more experienced workers if required.

When assessing competency, PCBUs should consider whether workers:

• perform tasks that are undertaken infrequently
• return from working in other roles within the business or from extended periods of leave.

As a minimum, PCBUs should consider a worker’s competency when:

• new technology or equipment is introduced that may require additional training
• new work practices or procedures are introduced
• new legislative requirements or standards are introduced.

Competency can be maintained through:

• regular refresher training for key safety tasks
• internal auditing programs
• accredited training to learn skills for new work or as a skills refresher
• training provided by original equipment manufacturers.

PCBUs need to make sure their workers follow safe work processes and procedures by ensuring there is adequate supervision, procedures are audited to ensure they are complied with, and procedures are regularly reviewed to identify if workers have the required skillsets to safely perform work.