Electricity toolbox talk
Read it out at the pre-start or a toolbox meeting, talk through the questions, and have everyone sign on. It's built from our electricity page and the 450 SafetyDocs templates that cover it.
- Site
- Date
- Presented by
What it is
Contact with live electrical installations, leads, tools or services, causing electric shock, electrocution, burns or fire.
Controls to check, most effective first
- De-energise, isolate, lock out and test circuits as dead before work, and only let licensed electricians do electrical work.
- Locate underground services through Before You Dig Australia, and confirm their position before digging or drilling.
- Protect portable tools and leads with residual current devices, and keep leads off the ground and away from water.
- Inspect, test and tag portable electrical equipment at the intervals required for the work environment.
- Withdraw damaged leads, plugs and tools from use immediately, and tag them out of service.
- Where live work is permitted under WHS laws, use rated insulated tools, arc-rated clothing and a safety observer.
Where it comes up on the job
Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with electricity:
- Emergency response if co-worker suffers electric shockRespond to a co-worker who suffers an electric shockFrom Plumbing Electrical Safety
- PlanningPlan for overhead power lines and liaise with the electricity supply authorityFrom Waterfed Pole System
- Working with powered & non-powered toolsUse powered and non-powered tools safely to prevent electrocution, injury, fire and asphyxiation.From Site Establishment Shop Fit-out
- Ceiling installationInstall the ceiling from safe trestles and ladders, controlling electricity, falling objects, cuts and silica dustFrom Suspended Grid System Ceiling Installation
- Electrical (equipment and/or installations)Electric shock, electrocutionFrom Hoarder Cleaning Plan
Questions for the crew
- Where could electricity come up on this job today?
- Is any of this work on today's job: Emergency response if co-worker suffers electric shock?
- The most effective control is: “De-energise, isolate, lock out and test circuits as dead before work, and only let licensed electricians do electrical work”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
- Which controls for electricity are missing or not working on this site?
- When would you stop work because of electricity, and who would you tell?
- How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?
Sign-on record
Everyone who attended signs below. Keep it with your toolbox talk records.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
A starting point for a talk, not a SWMS or a risk assessment. Add what's particular to your site and crew.