UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

SAFETY IN ELECTRICAL LABORATORY WORK

A CODE OF PRACTICE

OUTLINE
V 3.0

Purpose

To provide practical guidance for the reduction of risk in electrical laboratory work.

Context

Electrical safety is everybody's responsibility. We are required by law to comply with the
NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011. A summary of the provisions of the Act is attached
as Appendix A

The UTS Safety & Wellbeing policy requires all staff and students to take reasonable care of
their own health and safety and that of others affected by the work of the University.

Failure to comply with this code may result in a student being excluded from a laboratory
class under UTS rules: non academic misconduct or summary exclusion from classes.

An understanding of Safety & Wellbeing is essential for the Professional Engineer. Firstly,
because the NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011 states that manufacturers are responsible
for ensuring that their products are safe to operate when properly used. Secondly, employers
must ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. When you design and
manufacture products for sale to the public, you have a responsibility to ensure that the
product is safe to use and that the manufacturing process does not have an adverse affect
upon the employees.

Considering the widespread and increasing use of electricity in society, the annual death toll
from electrocution is low and gradually decreasing. Common causes are; striking overhead
conductors, say with a crane or boat mast; excavator contacting live cables; domestic wiring
by unlicensed persons; poor earth continuity or incorrect wiring of earthing systems.
Electricity workers might be expected to be high on the list but they are not because they
undergo rigorous training and follow strict codes of practice.

Training is the process of learning routine procedures for a given circumstance. The aim is to
make these actions almost second nature, such as an electrician checking that a circuit is dead
before working on it, even if it is understood to be dead because the supply has been
disconnected or it was dead before a lunch break. This is a survival mechanism.

We will endeavour to explain the principles of risk reduction and provide training in a safe
system of work.

Introduction

The Code has been subdivided into 3 categories as follows:-

Category A
Here you will be working with extra low voltage circuits. The wiring rules AS3000 does not
require that these conductors be protected from human contact. You are expected to follow
the requirements for Category A experiments and in so doing be trained in the prerequisite
procedures for Category B experiments. During your practical examination in Introduction to
Electrical Engineering you will be assessed for accreditation in Category A.

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Category B

These experiments are those where voltages up to 1000V AC or 1500V DC are used but all
live conductors are insulated. All supplies are protected with Residual Current Devices
(RCD) or have isolation transformers. Category A accreditation and compliance with its rules
are a prerequisite for Category B. Here you will learn about risk reduction methods which
will enable you to work on live exposed conductors in Category C.

Category C

Category A, B and compliance with their rules are prerequisite to this category which is
required for some Laboratory Project or Thesis work. In this Category the student must
explain to their supervisor why it is necessary to work on equipment with live exposed
conductors and outline what additional precautions have to be taken to reduce the risk of
electrocution before permission is granted for this work to be done.

Following the report of an accident, an investigation is carried out by UTS and/or the
Workcover Authority of N.S.W. to ensure that a safe system of work is in place, since the
University has an absolute responsibility under the Act to ensure the health and safety of all
workers. This may require a review of logs for equipment safety checks and details of our
training programme etc. If these measures are not found to be adequate, action may be taken
against individuals and/or the University by Work Cover. This does not preclude separate
action being taken by an injured worker under civil or criminal law.

An information sheet on electric shock is attached as Appendix B for information.

A Glossary of terms is attached as Appendix C.

Category

A Safe Practice for Category A Laboratory Work

at voltages of less than 50VRMS 50Hz or 120 VDC Ripple free (extra low voltage)

B Safe Practice for Category B Laboratory Work

at voltages up to 1000 VRMS 50 Hz or 1500 VDC, where
all energised connections are protected (low voltage)

C Safe Practice for Category C Laboratory and Project Work.

Where exposed metal may be energised at voltages up to
1000 VRMS 50 Hz or 1500 VDC (low voltage)

Subjects That Should Use This Standard

All subjects involving electrical laboratory work

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References

Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
Australian Standard™ Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control
and laboratory use— Part 1: General requirements (IEC 61010-1:2001 MOD)
Part 031: Safety requirements for hand- held probe assemblies for electrical measurement
and test (IEC 61010-031:2002 MOD)
Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace. Code of Practice
February 2016.
AS/NZS 3000:2007 (Incorporating Amendment Nos 1 and 2)
AS/NZS 3100:2009 General requirements for electrical equipment.

AS/NZS 60950:2000
(Incorporating Amendment No. 1) Australian/New Zealand Standard™
Safety of information technology equipment (IEC 60950:1999, MOD)

AS3108 - Approval and test specification - Particular requirements for isolating transformers
and safety isolating transformers.
AS3200.1 - Approval and test specification - Medical electrical equipment - Part 1: General
requirements for safety.
AS3250 - Approval and test specification - Mains operated electronic and related equipment for
household and similar use.
AS/NZS 60950:2000 Safety of information technology equipment (IEC 60950:1999,
MOD)
AS3300 - Approval and test specification - General requirements for household and similar
electrical appliances.
AS/NZS 60479 Effects of current on human beings and livestock Part 1: General aspects
AS/NZS 60479.2:2002 : Effects of current on human beings and livestock - Special aspects

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 Appendix A

A Summary of the NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Employers must ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees by:

- providing or maintaining equipment and systems of work that are safe and
without risk to health.

- providing the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure

the health and safety at work of employees.

- ensuring the health and safety of people visiting their place of work who are not
their employees.

Division 4 Duty of officers, workers and other persons

27 Duty of officers
(1) If a person conducting a business or undertaking has a duty or obligation under this
Act, an officer of the person conducting the business or undertaking must exercise
due diligence to ensure that the person conducting the business or undertaking
complies with that duty or obligation.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), the maximum penalty applicable under Division 5 of this
Part for an offence relating to the duty of an officer under this section is the maximum
penalty fixed for an officer of a person conducting a business or undertaking for that
offence.
(3) Despite anything to the contrary in section 33, if the duty or obligation of a person
conducting a business or undertaking was imposed under a provision other than a
provision of Division 2 or 3 of this Part or this Division, the maximum penalty under
section 33 for an offence by an officer under section 33 in relation to the duty or
obligation is the maximum penalty fixed under the provision creating the duty or
obligation for an individual who fails to comply with the duty or obligation.
(4) An officer of a person conducting a business or undertaking may be convicted or
found guilty of an offence under this Act relating to a duty under this section whether
or not the person conducting the business or undertaking has been convicted or found
guilty of an offence under this Act relating to the duty or obligation.
(5) In this section, due diligence includes taking reasonable steps:
(a) to acquire and keep up-to-date knowledge of work health and safety matters,
and
(b) to gain an understanding of the nature of the operations of the business or
undertaking of the person conducting the business or undertaking and
generally of the hazards and risks associated with those operations, and
(c) to ensure that the person conducting the business or undertaking has available
for use, and uses, appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise
risks to health and safety from work carried out as part of the conduct of the
business or undertaking, and
(d) to ensure that the person conducting the business or undertaking has
appropriate processes for receiving and considering information regarding
incidents, hazards and risks and responding in a timely way to that
information, and
(e) to ensure that the person conducting the business or undertaking has, and
implements, processes for complying with any duty or obligation of the person

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conducting the business or undertaking under this Act, and
Example. For the purposes of paragraph (e), the duties or obligations under this Act of
a person conducting a business or undertaking may include:
• reporting notifiable incidents,
• consulting with workers,
• ensuring compliance with notices issued under this Act,
• ensuring the provision of training and instruction to workers about work health and safety,
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• ensuring that health and safety representatives receive their entitlements to
training.
(f) to verify the provision and use of the resources and processes referred to in
paragraphs (c)–(e).
28 Duties of workers
While at work, a worker must:
(a) take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety, and
(b) take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect
the health and safety of other persons, and
(c) comply, so far as the worker is reasonably able, with any reasonable
instruction that is given by the person conducting the business or undertaking
to allow the person to comply with this Act, and
(d) co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure of the person conducting
the business or undertaking relating to health or safety at the workplace that
has been notified to workers.
29 Duties of other persons at the workplace
A person at a workplace (whether or not the person has another duty under this Part)
must:
(a) take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety, and
(b) take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect
the health and safety of other persons, and
(c) comply, so far as the person is reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction
that is given by the person conducting the business or undertaking to allow the
person conducting the business or undertaking to comply with this Act.
Division 5 Offences and penalties
30 Health and safety duty
In this Division, health and safety duty means a duty imposed under Division 2, 3 or
4 of this Part.
31 Reckless conduct—Category 1
(1) A person commits a Category 1 offence if:
(a) the person has a health and safety duty, and
(b) the person, without reasonable excuse, engages in conduct that exposes an
individual to whom that duty is owed to a risk of death or serious injury or
illness, and
(c) the person is reckless as to the risk to an individual of death or serious injury
or illness.
Maximum penalty:
(a) in the case of an offence committed by an individual (other than as a person
conducting a business or undertaking or as an officer of a person conducting a
business or undertaking)—$300,000 or 5 years imprisonment or both, or
(b) in the case of an offence committed by an individual as a person conducting a
business or undertaking or as an officer of a person conducting a business or
undertaking—$600,000 or 5 years imprisonment or both, or
(c) in the case of an offence committed by a body corporate—$3,000,000.
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(2) The prosecution bears the burden of proving that the conduct was engaged in without
reasonable excuse.
32 Failure to comply with health and safety duty—Category 2
A person commits a Category 2 offence if:
(a) the person has a health and safety duty, and

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(b) the person fails to comply with that duty, and
(c) the failure exposes an individual to a risk of death or serious injury or illness.
Maximum penalty:
(a) in the case of an offence committed by an individual (other than as a person
conducting a business or undertaking or as an officer of a person conducting a
business or undertaking)—$150,000, or
(b) in the case of an offence committed by an individual as a person conducting a
business or undertaking or as an officer of a person conducting a business or
undertaking—$300,000, or
(c) in the case of an offence committed by a body corporate—$1,500,000.
33 Failure to comply with health and safety duty—Category 3
A person commits a Category 3 offence if:
(a) the person has a health and safety duty, and
(b) the person fails to comply with that duty.
Maximum penalty:
(a) in the case of an offence committed by an individual (other than as a person
conducting a business or undertaking or as an officer of a person conducting a
business or undertaking)—$50,000, or
(b) in the case of an offence committed by an individual as a person conducting a
business or undertaking or as an officer of a person conducting a business or
undertaking—$100,000, or
(c) in the case of an offence committed by a body corporate—$500,000.

Appendix B

Electric Shock

Electric shock is the effect produced on the body and in particular the nervous system by
current passing through it. eg involuntary muscle contraction; tissue damage;
internal/external burns; boiling of the blood.

The effect varies with the magnitude, duration, path, frequency, waveform and timing, (with
respect to the cardiac rhythm), of the current.

If the current path is through the heart region and is within a certain range, the normal
rhythm of the heart may be interrupted. This is known as ventricular fibrillation and is rapid
uncoordinated ventricular muscle contractions. If allowed to continue in this state unaided,
death results in a few minutes. De-fibrillation is achieved by application of a controlled
more severe shock to restore regular muscle contractions. This must be done by trained
medical staff.

Ventricular fibrillation is the most common cause of electrocution. Death may also be caused

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by asphyxia, due to loss of control of the lungs, or involuntary muscular reaction, say in a
limb, causing a fall.

The magnitude of the current passing through the body for a given voltage depends on the
impedance of the body. This is made up of two components; the skin impedance and the
impedance of the flesh (internal impedance).

The impedance of the skin can be considered as a network of resistances and capacitances. Its
structure is made up of a semi-insulating layer and small conductive elements (pores). The
skin impedance is very variable and depends on the voltage, frequency, duration of the
current, surface area of contact, temperature, pressure of contact, degree of moisture and
possible skin contamination. In the range 50 - 100 V, the skin impedance decreases
considerably and becomes negligible when the skin breaks down. The skin impedance is
slightly capacitive, varying with area of contact. At the moment when contact is made with
the skin, the capacitance is not charged and therefore the current is only limited by the
internal resistance of the body. Skin resistance is considerably reduced by conducting fluids
or in the region of wedding rings and metal watch bands, due to the absorption of metal
particles into the skin.

The flesh or internal impedance of the body is mostly resistive, its value depending mainly
on the path and to a lesser extent area of contact. A value of 500 ohms could be considered as
a minimum initial value, taken from hand to hand or hand to foot for a large area of contact.

The effect on the body of 50Hz current can be summarised as follows:

0.5 mA - can be felt

10 mA - muscle contraction. Hard or impossible to let go.

40 mA - for ·l second, ventricular fibrillation.

5 A and above - heart muscle clamp; tissue burns.

From the above it can be seen that NO voltage can be taken as absolutely safe.

The circumstances must be taken into account, eg if the skin is broken and if a resistance of
500 ohms is taken as a minimum impedance, then a current of 40 mA will be produced by a
voltage of (.04 x 500) = 20 volts. If present for more than one second, electrocution may
follow. Shorter paths closer to the heart require even less voltage.

Under normal circumstances, with a person in good health, it is statistically considered safe
to work at voltages up to 50VRMS 50 Hz and 120 ripple free VDC.

For further information relating to higher frequencies and other waveforms refer to AS3859 -
1991 Effects of current passing through the human body.

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 Appendix C

GLOSSARY

ACTIVE - see MAINS ACTIVE

ALIVE/DEAD - Applies to a device or circuit to indicate that a VOLTAGE is/is not applied. (Generally with
respect to GROUND)
BREAKDOWN VOLTAGE - The VOLTAGE level at which an insulator or DIELECTRIC permits a
disruptive discharge to occur either through (BULK INSULATION FAILURE) or over the surface
(TRACKING)
BULK INSULATION FAILURE - Failure of solid DIELECTRIC by conduction through the material
CHASSIS - Where equipment is constructed with a metal supporting structure or FRAME. This is sometimes
referred to as the CHASSIS or FRAME. If the equipment is powered from the MAINS, the CHASSIS must be
connected to EARTH GROUND. This is done by connecting the CHASSIS to the EARTH pin in the power
plug. Hence, the name CHASSIS GROUND, because it is at the same potential as EARTH GROUND.
CONTACTOR - A special purpose RELAY that is designed to establish and interrupt the power flow of high
current electric circuits
CREEPAGE DISTANCE - The shortest distance along the surface of insulation material between two
conducting paths. Practically this relates to the path a disruptive discharge may take when the insulation
system fails. Commonly barriers are used to increase path length. Surface pollution can assist failure.
CRO - Cathode Ray Oscilloscope.

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CURRENT CARRYING CAPACITY - The maximum amount of current a conductor can carry without
heating beyond a predetermined safe limit
DEAD - see ALIVE/DEAD
DIELECTRIC - A non conducting insulating medium
DIFFERENTIAL VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT - The measurement of VOLTAGE difference between
two points neither of which are at GROUND potential. Conventional oscilloscope inputs are referenced to
GROUND and are not suitable for this type of measurement.
DISRUPTIVE DISCHARGE - The sudden burst of high current flow through a DIELECTRIC exposed to
intense electrostatic stress. The DIELECTRIC may be solid, liquid or gaseous. Lightning is an example of
breakdown of air.
DMM - Digital Multimeter
DOUBLE INSULATION - An insulation system where live parts are INSULATED by two layers of
insulating material or its equivalent. The layer of insulation adjacent to the live parts is referred to as “basic
insulation” and the second layer is referred to as “supplementary insulation”. A single layer equivalent to two
layers of insulation called reinforced insulation may be used (previously called functional and protective
layers) The principle underlying the use of DOUBLE INSULATION relates to the lower probability of
simultaneous failure of two equal layers of insulation. Double INSULATED appliances do not have
EXPOSED METAL and therefore do not require a connection to EARTH. A common cause of electrocution
in the past has been a result of a failure of the EARTHING SYSTEM to protect personnel against
electrocution. The failures have generally been due to work carried out by unqualified personnel, eg handy
people making extension leads, on both fixed wiring or appliances. A power cord is an example of double
insulation.
DRAIN WIRE - An uninsulated wire, usually placed directly beneath and in electrical contact with a
SHIELD. It is used for making SHIELD connections between SHIELDED CABLES and GROUND. Drain is
used in the context of draining the electric charge to GROUND.
DSO - Digital Storage Oscilloscope
EARTH FREE ZONE - A zone where there is no reasonable chance of a person contacting a conducting
medium through which a circuit may be completed to EARTH. If the earthing medium is greater than 2.5
metres away from a person, they are regarded as being in an EARTH FREE ZONE.
EARTH - The general mass of the Earth. Commonly taken as zero potential reference. Most supply systems
are referenced to GROUND for safety purposes. Domestically the connection to the mass of Earth is normally
made by metal stakes approximately 1200mm long. For energy supply earthing see SOLIDLY EARTHED
EARTHED - A connection to the general mass of EARTH. This is commonly achieved in portable equipment
by connection to the EARTH conductor in a power cord.

EARTHED SITUATION - A situation where there is a reasonable chance of a person touching EXPOSED
METAL and, at the same time, coming into contact with EARTH or any metal or conducting medium (eg wet
concrete) through which a circuit may be completed to EARTH. If the earthing medium is within 2.5 metres
of a person, they are regarded as being in an EARTHED SITUATION.
EARTHING SYSTEM - All wiring and conducting materials used to maintain EXPOSED METAL at
EARTH potential.
ENCLOSURE - A surrounding case designed to provide a degree of protection for equipment against a
specified environment and to protect personnel against electrocution, burns or fire.
EXPOSED METAL - All metal of electrical equipment which can be touched with the standard TEST
FINGER, as specified in AS3100, and which may become live due to equipment failure.
FLOATING - Refers to the fact that the object has no fixed reference potential. For safety reasons most
devices are referenced to GROUND. The dangerous practice of removing the connection to the EARTH pin in
a power cord allows the CHASSIS of the appliance to Float. The protection against internal failure is no
longer provided and the CHASSIS can assume a dangerous VOLTAGE.
FRAME - see CHASSIS
FUSE - A device for protecting circuit conductors or components against excessive currents caused by a
malfunction. By protecting the equipment or cabling from overcurrent, personnel are protected from possible
electrocution as a result of insulation failure, injury due to explosion or burns due to excessive temperature.
GENERAL PURPOSE OUTLET (GPO) - A low VOLTAGE socket outlet having a rating of 10/15A and
which is designed to accommodate a 10A three pin flat pin plug complying with AS 3112. Generally referred
to as a power point.
GROUND - see EARTH

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HOT, HOT WIRE - see MAINS ACTIVE
INSTALLATION - All the electric wiring, accessories, fittings, and appliances installed between the Energy
authority supply terminal and the GENERAL PURPOSE OUTLET (GPO). Sometimes referred to as fixed
wiring or permanent wiring.
INSULATED - Separated from other conducting medium by a non-conducting substance or airspace
providing high resistance to the passage of current, either through or over the surface of the material or
airspace. Various standards specify the required materials, LEAKAGE CURRENT OR CREEPAGE distance
required for satisfactory prevention of electrocution by failure of the insulating medium due to TRACKING,
or DISRUPTIVE DISCHARGE. Refer AS 3100 for general requirements.
ISOLATE - To disconnect completely a device or circuit from other devices or circuits.
ISOLATED FROM ... - Not connected to ...
MAIN EARTHING CONDUCTOR - The conductor which is connected between an electrode driven into
the GROUND and the earthing terminal back at the main switch board. In the MEN system it is also
connected to the incoming MAINS NEUTRAL
MAINS ACTIVE - Refers to the conductor/s whose potential is above (greater than) the NEUTRAL
conductor of the MAINS SUPPLY. In a three phase system there are three ACTIVE conductors. In a system
without a NEUTRAL, all conductors are considered to be ACTIVE
MAINS NEUTRAL - The conductor which is connected to the NEUTRAL point of the MAINS SUPPLY.
See NEUTRAL
MAINS POWER/MAINS SUPPLY - Power derived from an electricity supply company
METAL OXIDE VARISTOR (MOV) - A variable resistor used for spikes, transient protection and
overvoltage protection. They have VOLTAGE dependent resistance, such that at normal operating
VOLTAGE the current is very low, above the operating potential there is a sharp decrease in their resistance.
MULTIPLE EARTHED NEUTRAL (MEN) SYSTEM - A System of earthing in which the MAIN
EARTHING CONDUCTOR is connected to the MAINS NEUTRAL conductor at the main switch board of
each INSTALLATION. Hence the NEUTRAL is multiply EARTHED by these connections. The intention is
to keep the MAIN NEUTRAL near EARTH potential. It is important to understand that this connection is for
safety purposes and that the EARTH wire should only carry current due to faults. For this reason the MEN
connection must only be made by authorised personnel at the main switch board. NO other such connection
should be made in the INSTALLATION.
NEUTRAL - The conductor of a three wire or multi-wire system which is maintained at an intermediate and
approximately uniform potential in respect of the ACTIVE conductors. It is usually connected to the star point
of the supply transformer which is also solidly earthed in the MEN system.

RELAY - An electromagnetically operated switch which provides isolation between a control circuit (usually
low power) and a high current circuit.
RESIDUAL CURRENT DEVICE (RCD) - A device intended to ISOLATE supply to protected circuits in
the event of a current flow to EARTH which exceeds a predetermined value, commonly 30mA. Formally
called Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) or Core Balance Protection.
SHIELD - Any barrier to the passing of interference causing electrostatic or electromagnetic fields. An
electrostatic SHIELD is formed by a conductive layer (usually foil or braid) surrounding a cable core. An
electromagnetic SHIELD is a ferrous metal enclosure or conduit. Electrostatic SHIELDS are usually
EARTHED (at one end to avoid EARTH loop currents).
SIGNAL GROUND - The reference potential for a small signal circuit.
SOLIDLY EARTHED - At the source of supply of a multiphase system, the star point or NEUTRAL is
connected to a complex array of earth electrodes and a buried grid of conductors or earth matt. The
connection to this earthing system is referred to as SOLIDLY EARTHED.
TRACKING - Takes place when an insulator fails due to current flow over the surface causing carbonising of
the insulator forming a low resistance path.
VARIAC - Trade name for a variable auto transformer. These devices are generally capable of providing a
variable AC VOLTAGE between 0 and 110% of the supply VOLTAGE. NOTE: Because they are auto
transformers, the output is not ISOLATED FROM the supply.
VOLTAGE - The difference of potential normally existing between conductors and between conductors and
earth. In relation to the utility supply the following designation is used:
Extra Low Voltage - not exceeding 50VAC or 120V ripple free DC
Low Voltage - exceeding extra low voltage but less than 1000V AC or 1500V DC

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High Voltage - above low voltage.

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