In the realm of equipment safety, it's crucial to comprehend the term 'electrically safe' as outlined by Queensland laws.
For workers, understanding the essential safety criteria is vital. Legislation mandates standards for electrical equipment used, designed, manufactured, imported, and supplied in Australia to ensure it is 'electrically safe.' This responsibility falls on a person conducting a business or undertaking, emphasizing a primary duty to conduct operations in an 'electrically safe' manner.
According to Queensland legislation, 'electrically safe' signifies that all persons and property are free from electrical risk. If elimination of electrical risk is not reasonably practicable, minimizing the risk becomes imperative. The term 'reasonably practicable' entails considering factors like the likelihood and harm of the hazard, knowledge about the hazard, and the available means to minimize the risk.
The joint Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3820 plays a crucial role in this framework. It outlines essential safety requirements for electrical equipment, forming the basis for compliance. Suppliers are obligated to understand and fulfill their role in ensuring the electric safety of the equipment they provide.
Compliance with safety criteria, as described in AS/NZS 3820, is vital. However, it may not be recognized if there are shortcomings in the product standard, inappropriate application of the standard, or failure to comply with good engineering practices.
The relevant standard for electrical equipment is determined based on specific circumstances. It may involve a Standards Australia or joint Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand standard, an IEC standard, or AS/NZS 3820 itself.
Suppliers must maintain technical documentation demonstrating conformity to AS/NZS 3820 requirements. This documentation should cover various aspects, including a general description of the electrical equipment, conceptual design, manufacturing drawings, standards applied, design calculations, test reports, and routine tests.
It's crucial to note that these safety criteria apply universally to all electrical equipment, irrespective of the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS). Additional requirements come into play for in-scope electrical equipment, and ongoing responsibilities persist for suppliers once the compliance threshold is met.
For acquiring specific product safety standards, suppliers can refer to SAI Global. In essence, for workers dealing with electrical equipment, a comprehensive understanding of safety criteria, compliance standards, and ongoing responsibilities is paramount to ensuring electrically safe working conditions.