Electrical Safety in the Workplace Self-Assessment Tool
The Office of Industrial Relations – Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has devised a workplace self-assessment tool to assist businesses in determining if their workplace has any operations that contain installation in a hazardous area.
Following recent assessment, the Office of Industrial Relations has identified both the spray booth and petrol station industries as potentially possessing numerous ‘hazardous areas’ that had not previously been classified. This means it is possible that the suitability of electrical equipment installed in these areas was not assessed and may not be compliant with the hazardous area classification.
Installing the incorrect type of electrical equipment in a hazardous area may cause a fire or explosion.
A hazardous area is where there is a danger of an explosion or fire occurring wherever flammable or combustible substances in the form of gas, vapour, dust, fibres or particles are located. The person conducting a business or undertaking must assess the risk of fire and explosion and have hazardous areas classified by a competent person.
When managing hazardous areas, it is essential that the possibility of an ignition source is eliminated or limited, this includes electrical equipment as an ignition source. Electrical equipment associated with a hazardous area must be a suitable type and installed and maintained correctly.
