Leaving a decommissioned area safe
It is so important that any electrical installation in the process of being decommissioned or fully decommissioned – as in the case of a demolition site – remains safe and does not present any avoidable shock hazards during the deconstruction process.
It is so important that any electrical installation in the process of being decommissioned or fully decommissioned - as in the case of a demolition site - remains safe and does not present any avoidable shock hazards during the deconstruction process.
Parts of buildings undergoing alterations, deconstruction, or full/partial demolition often need to be provided with a temporary power supply. These circumstances present added danger and greater risk to any person working in those areas. Care must be taken to ensure these risks are identified and the appropriate controls are put in place.
Control measures may include:
- testing
- isolation or lockout procedures
- identification, labelling
- removing out of service equipment and cables
An important reminder that there are provisions under regulation 13(external link) of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations which state that when a person does any prescribed electrical work on an installation, they must ensure the installation is left electrically safe, and no other part of the installation has been detrimentally affected. Additionally, while carrying out work, all person(s) and property must be protected from dangers arising as a result of that work.
Further guidance on available control measures and how to apply them is in standard AS/NZS 4836; which is freely available for all licensed electrical workers from the Board’s portal.
Regulation 13 – Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010(external link) — New Zealand Legislation