Regulations and Controls Governing Electrical Work at UWA

Preamble

The joint holders of the Electrical Contractor's Licence for the University are the Senior Technical Officer Electrical and the Electrical Supervisor in the Maintenance Workshop of Facilities Management or others as designated by the Director, Facilities Management.

They are jointly responsible for electrical safety of University properties and for the quality of electrical work carried out on University properties.

Both persons are in possession of an A Grade Electrical Workers' Licence and hold the Western Power High Voltage Switching Certificate for the campus and are together responsible for the operation and maintenance of the bulk transmission of power to University buildings.

Policy

1. To ensure that a common high standard of safe electrical workmanship is maintained throughout University properties, and that all electrical installations include adequate protective devices, all electrical work on the in-built electrical installation of University buildings shall be carried out by either :
• licensed electrical contractors under the direct supervision and control of the Senior Technical Officer (Electrical) 
• licensed electrical contractors and staff under the control of the Electrical Supervisor of the Maintenance workshop of Facilities Management
• licensed electrical contractors under a department's control must enter in the Electrical Log Book at the Maintenance Workshop of Facilities Management, the numbers of the Minor Electrical Works Notice or Preliminary/Completion Notice and the description of the works.
• a sketch or drawing is to be submitted within two weeks of completion of the works to the Planning and Design section of Facilities Management. The licensed electrical contractors are restricted to installing additional or alter existing circuits of lighting or power from the local distribution boards.
   
2. The provisions of paragraph (1) apply to all the electrical installations from the incoming supply right through the system, including all distribution boards and control panels to and including terminal sockets, and include :
• lighting, the light switch and light fittings
• power, up to the general purpose outlets (GPO’s)
• permanently wired equipment, wall isolating switches and cable connections up to the terminals of the equipment
• electrical appliances issued or installed by Facilities Management and which that Office is responsible for under the annual maintenance budget. These include portable electrical fans and heaters, cleaning equipment, room air conditioners and drinking fountains.
3. The requirements of paragraph (1) do not apply with respect to departmental laboratory equipment, either of the type normally plugged into power outlets, or to major items of equipment fixed-wired as described in paragraph 1 c) above. It is the responsibility of the Head of a department to ensure that all extension leads, fixed laboratory or specialized equipment and portable appliances are maintained in a safe manner as per AS3760.
4. A department or section of the University intending to carry out electrical work on equipment should ensure that it has an electrical worker on the staff who is appropriately licensed in accordance with paragraph 1. To comply with the Electricity Act 1945 Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991, it is necessary that the University records all personnel employed who are licensed to carry out electrical work. Facilities Management, Senior Technical Officer Electrical or the Electrical Supervisor Maintenance Workshop, must be notified of the names, addresses, type of licence and license number for all licensed electrical staff. Changes in the electrical staff members must be advised as they occur.
5. Failure to comply with the Electricity Act and Regulations could involve the University and/or staff members in a fine or, in a serious case, forfeiture of the Electrical Contractor's licence. Loss of this licence would mean that all electrical work on University properties would have to be carried out by outside contractors, with serious financial repercussions.
6. Where a licensed electrical worker employed by the University does not comply with this policy or any of the rules laid down by the Electricity Act and Regulations, they shall be liable to have their name removed from the list of licensed electrical workers on the University Electrical Contractor's licence and from that date will be debarred from carrying out electrical work on any property of the University.
7. Electrical contractors are to operate in accordance with the safety and health requirements of the University of Western Australia, the Western Australian Electrical Requirements, Australian Standard 3000 – Wiring Rules, Facilities Management Manual and any other relevant legislation. This is to ensure that work performed by them is conducted in a manner that is not hazardous to themselves or others.
8. Where a contractor has been given legal possession of a site on University property, the contractor is responsible under the Electricity Act for the site, not the University.
   

Procedures

All electrical work must be carried out by electrical workers licensed as described hereunder:

Installation of plugs, flexible cords and plug sockets

Wiring of designated pieces of laboratory electrical equipment and fitting of plugs and cords

Extensive work involving fabrication or assembly of electrical equipment

Accidents involving shock