Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the high-level hazards, risk controls, and safe work procedures for High Voltage Electrical Installations on Australian worksites, helping your business maintain strong WHS compliance. It is a comprehensive document that covers multiple aspects of high voltage installation, operation, and testing activities so you can manage both low and high voltage systems with confidence.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Installation of high voltage switchgear, including isolation, earthing, and verification of de-energised equipment
• Safe operation of high voltage switchgear, including switching sequences, interlocks, and lock-out/tag-out procedures
• High voltage testing procedures, including insulation resistance, pressure testing, and functional testing of protection systems
• Management of combined low and high voltage systems, including segregation, labelling, and interface controls
• Selection and inspection of high voltage-rated personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, and test instruments
• Establishment of exclusion zones, barricades, and signage around live or potentially live high voltage equipment
• Safe access to and work within high voltage substations, switch rooms, and restricted electrical areas
• Control of induced voltages, step and touch potentials, and earthing/ bonding arrangements
• Emergency response planning for electrical incidents, including electric shock, arc flash, and equipment failure
• Coordination of permits to work, isolation registers, and authorisation of competent electrical workers
• Management of testing and commissioning activities, including staged energisation and verification of safety systems
• Housekeeping, cable management, and prevention of trip, fire, and mechanical damage risks around high voltage installations

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for high voltage electricians, electrical contractors, transmission and distribution crews, industrial maintenance teams, and site supervisors overseeing high voltage electrical installation and operation work.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling risks associated with electrical work and electrical equipment
• Safe Work Australia – Construction Work Code of Practice: Requirements for planning and managing construction work, including electrical installations
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Applicable where access to high voltage equipment involves work at height
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules): Key requirements for the design and installation of electrical installations
• AS/NZS 3017 Electrical Installations – Verification Guidelines: Guidance on inspection and testing of electrical installations
• AS 2067 Substations and High Voltage Installations Exceeding 1 kV a.c.: Requirements for the design, construction, and operation of high voltage substations and installations