Comments sought on new electricity code of practice for WA workplaces

```html

Comments Sought on New Electricity Code of Practice for WA Workplaces

Western Australia's Work Health and Safety Commission has opened public consultation on a proposed new code of practice for managing electrical risks in WA workplaces. Employers, workers and safety professionals now have opportunity to provide feedback before finalisation.

This new code of practice aims to help employers and workers manage risks tied to electrical work, offering practical guidance for maintaining compliance with WHS legislation across WA workplaces.

Who Does This Code of Practice Apply To?

WHSC states the code "applies to all workplaces where a PCBU has management or control of electrical equipment, including electrical installations." This scope covers a broad range of businesses, from construction sites to manufacturing facilities and healthcare services relying on electrical systems daily.

What Guidance Does the Electricity Code Cover?

According to the Commission, the electricity code "provides guidance on the risk management process, specific electrical hazards and controls, working de-energised, working near energised electrical parts, working in roof spaces, tools and equipment, high voltage electrical work and electricity in mines."

Key areas addressed include:

• Risk management processes for electrical hazards
• Controls for working near energised electrical parts
• Safety requirements for roof space work
• Tools, equipment and high voltage electrical work standards
• Electricity-related risks specific to mining operations

These provisions align closely with WHS legislation and support PCBUs in meeting their obligations under health and safety regulations governing electrical services.

How Can Stakeholders Provide Feedback?

Submissions on the proposed electricity code remain open until Friday, November 3, 2023. Businesses providing electrical services, workers and industry groups are encouraged to review the draft guidance and submit comments before this deadline.

Public notice of the consultation period gives stakeholders adequate time to assess how the code might affect existing safety practices and compliance obligations.

Where to Access More Information

Additional information about the consultation process, along with access to supporting documents, is available on the WorkSafe WA website. Interested parties can access relevant materials and background details on how the code fits within broader WA WHS legislation.

For organisations seeking to strengthen their approach to workplace health and safety more broadly, reviewing related codes of practice can provide valuable context. SafetyDocs has covered several recent developments, including the new WHS Code of Practice addressing sexual harassment in Commonwealth workplaces and the new Code of Practice for tower cranes approved in the Northern Territory.

Why This Matters for Health and Safety Compliance

Electrical hazards remain among the most serious risks in workplaces handling electrical installations, tools and high voltage systems. A clear, practical code of practice supports safety outcomes by giving PCBUs consistent guidance on managing these risks.

Businesses that provide electrical services or rely on electrical equipment should monitor this consultation closely, as the final code will likely shape compliance expectations across WA workplaces once adopted.

Organisations wanting to stay ahead of similar regulatory changes may also find it useful to review the Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice update, which addresses related equipment safety obligations relevant to many of the same worksites.

```