It’s important for any organisation to adhere to the electrical standards and regulations set by their local and state government. Throughout Queensland and the rest of Australia, there are multiple state government regulations outlining requirements for electrical work that must be followed. These Australian Standards are non-mandatory guidelines that provide technical specifications and procedures intended to ensure products, services, and systems are safe, reliable, and consistently perform as intended. They can be adopted into regulations, making them legally enforceable.
Commercial electrical contractors must stay up-to-date with the latest knowledge and training for these regulations for all commercial electrical services, ensuring your business’s safety, performance and legal compliance. But, what are these regulations and requirements? Today, we will dive into each one and how a commercial electrician in Brisbane will help you navigate them.
AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules
When it comes to electrical installations throughout Australia and New Zealand, the main standard to follow is the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules. These Wiring Rules outline the requirements for the design, construction and verification of electrical installations. There are two parts to this regulation to abide by:
Part 1: the minimum safety and performance standards for safe electrical installations.
Part 2: the work requirements (including earthing, safety protection, selection and installation) needed to comply with Part 1.
An experienced commercial electrical contractor will have complete knowledge of the Wiring Rules and understand their importance in every aspect of their work. By diligently following these regulations, commercial electricians can achieve the highest standards of safety, reliability, and professionalism, ensuring that all electrical installations and ongoing maintenance meet clients’ needs while prioritising the well-being of all stakeholders involved.
AS/NZS 3012 Electrical Installations
AS/NZS 3012 governs all electrical installation at construction and demolition sites, focusing on ensuring safety for all individuals in these potentially hazardous environments. This outlines the key requirements for testing and inspection routines, as well as special provisions for hostile operating environment equipment. AS/NZS 3012 regulations also cover temporary electrical installations, addressing the unique electrical challenges of construction and demolition sites.
An experienced commercial electrician must be present on construction and demolition sites to ensure all guidelines and safety measures are met with total compliance.
AS/NZS 3760:2022 In-Service Safety Inspection & Electrical Equipment Testing
These regulations describe the procedures and criteria for the regular safety inspection and testing of modern electrical equipment, particularly for workplace environments that use electrical appliances. To ensure compliance with electrical systems and ongoing safety for individuals during commercial electrical work, this regulation includes the testing of portable, moveable, and stationary electrical equipment, and residual current devices (RCDs).
Queensland Codes of Practice
Commercial electricians turn to the Queensland Codes of Practice for practical guidance on achieving the standards of health, safety, and welfare required under the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Act and Regulations and the Electrical Safety Act. While they are not law, they have a special legal status – if you comply with a Code of Practice, you are deemed to comply with the Act or Regulation it relates to.
Their specific areas of focus include managing workplace electrical risks and safe installation and maintenance practices, making them valuable resources for businesses to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
An electrical contractor will use these Codes of Practice in their day-to-day to identify any potential hazards, minimise risks and protect the well-being of commercial clients and members of the public.
Queensland Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Act & Regulations
The Workplace Health and Safety Act is the primary legislation providing the broad duties and responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace in Queensland. Whereas the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations are specific rules under the Act that detail requirements for compliance on various safety issues, hazards, and risk management processes. Though these also apply to business owners, commercial electricians have specific duties and obligations for electrical work and installation safety, as well as risk management processes to adhere to.
Commercial electricians play an important role in preserving the health and safety of the overall functionality and staff well-being on commercial premises by complying with WHS Act regulations. By adhering to the Act, commercial electricians help mitigate the risks associated with electrical work, ensuring a safe working environment for employees, customers, and visitors.
Compliance & Enrolment
What’s important to keep in mind, is that complying with your local government’s regulations isn’t just about avoiding legal issues – it’s about safeguarding the health and safety of an organisation’s workers and the general public. Queensland’s Electrical Safety Offices oversee and enforce compliance by offering resources and guidance for businesses to follow and promote a culture of safety.
Having a commercial electrician in Brisbane who not only understands the required regulations but also the importance of adhering to them is invaluable for ensuring the success and safety of your business.
Conclusion
At Haines Electrical, our commercial electricians have a deep knowledge and understanding of Brisbane’s local government regulations and guidelines in order to promote safety and avoid legal pitfalls during electrical installations. We provide regular training sessions to ensure all regulatory updates are communicated and our team is compliant. Industry organisations (such as Master Electricians) are utilised alongside employing full-time health, safety & environment managers to monitor changes within the commercial electrical industry. We have a full-time Health, Safety and Environment Manager who strives through internal education programs to ensure all Haines staff remain in the know with up-to-date knowledge.
Our commercial electrical team regularly assists local government facilities, meaning we not only comply but enforce these regulations.
Contact Us For Your Commercial Electrical Needs
If you require assistance with any commercial services, our commercial electricians are available to give you peace of mind. For a commercial electrician in Brisbane that you can trust, contact Haines Electrical today at 1300 084 303 or send us a message online about your electrical requirements.