Electrical safety audits

The Electrical Safety Office checks (audits) businesses and individuals across industries to make sure that businesses are operating in an electrically safe way and are meeting their dutie.

Some of the types of businesses and licence holders that may be audited are listed in the following sections.

Electrical contractors

An electrical safety inspector may audit you if you are an electrical contractor. They will look at your safe work policies, work procedures and electrical work as required under the Electrical Safety Act 2002.

Your business will receive a letter or be contacted by an electrical safety inspector before the audit.

To help with the audit process, make sure you have any documentation about how you meet your obligations under the Act.

Queensland Building and Construction Commission licence holders

The electrical safety inspector may audit you if you are a Building Service Authority (BSA) licence holder if you do not hold an electrical contractor licence but your business carries out electrical work.

The inspector will look at whether you and your workers are working in a way that keeps you safe with electricity and make sure that your workplace procedures ensure that other people and property are free from electrical risk.

The audit is also an opportunity to educate you on your duties and requirements and to let you know where you may find useful information.

Employers who employ electrical workers

If you are an employer (other than an electrical contractor), who employs electrical workers (including apprentices) or engages electrical contractors, then you have an obligation under the Act to ensure that their business or undertaking when working with electricity is conducted in safe way.

The electrical safety inspector will look at whether you and your workers are working in a manner that is safe with electricity and protects other people and property from electrical risk. This audit can help to educate you on your duties and requirements as an employer and provide you with useful information.

Air conditioning industry

The electrical safety inspector may carry out an audit on you if you are an air conditioning installer who does not hold an electrical contractor licence. The inspector will make sure that you (and your workers) are working with electricity in a manner that is safe and that other people and property are free from electrical risk. The audit is an opportunity to educate you on your duties and requirements and let you know where you may find useful information.

Electrical repairers

The electrical safety inspector may audit you if you do not hold an electrical contractor licence but are a workplace whose business operations include repairing electrical equipment. The aim is to make sure that you and your workers are working with electricity in a manner that is safe and that other people and property are free from electrical risk. The inspector will make sure that you are fulfilling the licensing requirements and the safe systems of work in accordance with the Act.

Unlicensed electrical work

Electrical safety inspectors carry out audits to identify unlicensed people who perform electrical work. If you advertise that you perform electrical work you are required under the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld) to advertise the name of the licence holder (or registered business name) and your electrical contractor licence number.

Electrical licence register validation

Under the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld), if you are an employer or self-employed then you are required to keep a register of workers engaged to perform or supervise electrical work. The electrical safety inspector will not visit you to make sure that you have this information but instead the Electrical Safety Office will request a copy of this register.

Insulation installers

An electrical safety inspector may audit you if you are a ceiling insulation installer (commercial and domestic) to make sure you meet the requirements of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (Qld). The inspector will determine if you are aware of electrical safety risks related to the nature of your work and if you know how to address these risks. The inspection also focuses on whether you have procedures in place to address the risks associated with installing thermal insulation near electrical equipment in the ceiling.

Pool installers

If you are a business involved in the pool construction industry (including construction of pool fencing), then you may be audited to ensure that your business or undertaking is conducted in a way that is electrically safe.

New electrical equipment

Electric safety inspectors may conduct an audit if your business involves the selling of new electrical equipment. Retailers, wholesalers, internet, second-hand, auction sellers and market sellers are required to ensure the electrical products they supply are safe and meet the relevant standards. Sellers of new in-scope electrical equipment must also ensure that their products are linked to a registered responsible supplier.

Decorative lighting

Electrical safety inspectors may audit you if you sell Christmas lights (decorative lighting equipment) to ensure the electrical products you supply are safe and meet the relevant standards.

Also consider...

• Learn more about workplace inspections by Electrical Safety Office Inspectors.