1. What must be done to ensure electrical safety in schools? 2 ...

The following activities are not electrical work and do not have to be undertaken by a licensed electrician or
electrical contractor:
Some electrical equipment requires maintenance or servicing that is unrelated to its electrical
components; for example changing blades or fittings on manual arts equipment. Be sure to turn off the
power and, if possible, unplug the equipment prior to undertaking these activities. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for these activities.
As with other general maintenance procedures, the power must be turned off prior to changing light
bulbs, tubes and starters. If the switch is some distance, or out of sight, post a sign or tape the switch in
some way to ensure it is not inadvertently switched on while the bulb is being changed.
For electrical work involving computers please refer to the Safety Alert - Electrical Incident – Computer Work.
10. Record Keeping
Records are essential to review how your own systems are working and to monitor compliance with
departmental and legislative requirements. In the event of an electrical incident records will be checked to
determine if these requirements were fulfilled. Without records it will be difficult to demonstrate that systems
were in place to ensure compliance. Departmental Senior Audit Officers may also ask to check these
records. The Australian/New Zealand Standard 3760 states that documentation must be kept for seven
years.
Keep records of the following;
1. Electrical Equipment - a register (list) of all electrical equipment
For example:
a spreadsheet that tracks the item and location
School Management System (SMS) can be used to create a register
2. Specified electrical equipment – identify items and frequency of testing and tagging dates (if required)
For example:
Can be incorporated with list above
Note: SMS does not have accurate time frames for testing and tagging; enter your own timeframes
according to the information in this guide e.g. see Part 1: Schedule or Part 2: Quick Reference Table
3. Safety switches
For example:
Record push button tests of safety switch (e.g. initial and date)
Record tests by competent person (e.g. date and contractor)
The record can be as simple as a card in the switch board with date, name and signature
As best practice – a record of the location of all safety switches and circuits they cover
4. Repair or maintenance work
For example:
A log or register where staff can identify repair work required for electrical equipment
Details of service or maintenance work for specific items – an example form is available at:
http://education.qld.gov.au/health/docs/healthsafety/blower-vacuum-elecal.doc . The first page of this
example document could be modified to use with items of electrical equipment that require regular
checks or servicing.
5. Any risk assessments related to the use of electrical equipment
example: testing register on sticker in switch board
Organisational Health Unit November 2008 16