Electrical Safety Procedure 1.

Purpose This Procedure is performed as a means of ensuring that West Coast District Health Board (WCDHB) staff members adopt safe work practices relating to the use of electrical equipment.

2.

Application This Procedure is to be followed by all WCDHB staff members, contractors, patients and visitors.

3.

Definitions For the purposes of this Procedure: Electrical Appliance is taken to mean an electrical appliances (excluding medical equipment) that connects to a standard mains outlet via a flexible cord or plug directly into a mains outlet. (Medical Equipment is covered by the WCDHB Medical Equipment Users Procedure). Electrically Safe is taken to mean that there is no significant risk of injury or death to any person, or of damage to property (see Electricity Regulations Compilation (2003))

4.

Responsibilities For the purposes of this Procedure: WCDHB shall: - ensure the safety of its staff members, patients, visitors and contractors. Manager shall: - ensure staff members are aware of and follow safe work practices when using electrical equipment; - provide appropriate protective equipment for staff members; - regularly check all areas they are responsible for to ensure compliance with this procedure. OSH Advisor shall: - notify Ministry of Commerce of any serious accident involving electricity. Electricians shall: - check all new electrical equipment prior to its use or where applicable at frequent intervals not exceeding 12 months - check any patient/visitor owned electrical device.

5.

Resources Required This Procedure requires no specific resources.

6.

Process 1.00

Introduction

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Electrical Safety Procedure

1.01

All WCDHB staff members are required to abide by the following safety rules when using electrical equipment: i) undertake a visual check of the electrical equipment prior to using it; ii) ensure power supply is OFF before inserting plug into socket; iii) turn power supply OFF and remove plug when task is completed; iv) only use electrical equipment in dry conditions; v) be aware that multi-boxes are not safety shuttered unless otherwise indicated.

1.02

As part of the WCDHB Annual Mandatory Education programme, all staff members are required to participate in an Electrical Safety Programme.

1.03

Manager are responsible for ensuring that staff members they are responsible for are supplied with appropriated personal protective equipment in relation to electrical equipment where this is required by the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Electricity.

1.04

In Paediatrics areas of a WCDHB facility, all electrical outlets are to have safety plug covers in place.

1.05

To ensure compliance with this Procedure, the relevant Manager or designee will regularly check all areas they are responsible for.

1.06

Electrical equipment not required during the night should be switched off.

1.07

Areas around electrical switchboards must be kept clear for a distance of at least one metre.

1.08

A suitable fire extinguisher is to be located adjacent to all electrical switchboards.

2.00

Electrical Accidents/Incidents

2.01

Any accidents or incidents involving electrical equipment, or where staff have been noncompliant with regard to the safe use of electrical equipment, this is to be reported via the WCDHB Accident/incident Reporting Procedure.

2.02

If an accident involving electrical equipment resulted in injury, loss of life or fire damage, then this is to be reported to the Ministry of Commerce using the specific notification form. The notification is to be co-ordinated by the OSH Advisor.

3.00

Personal Electrical Equipment

3.01

Patient owned electric equipment is to be certified as electrically safe BEFORE it can be used in any WCDHB Facility, the Electricians will carry out these checks free of charge to the Patient.

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Electrical Safety Procedure 3.02

No patient/visitor owned electrical devices shall be used in the CCU. The use of all patient/visitor owned electrical devices in other areas is discouraged. However, should a patient insist on using a personal electrical device: i) the device may be used if the patient is judged by their nurse and doctor to be capable of using the item safely; ii) the device must be visually inspected by the patient's nurse to determine whether there are any obvious physical hazards present, (i.e., frayed cords, broken case) and if there are any hazards the device is not to be used.

3.03

If there is any question about the safe use of any patient/visitor owned electrical device, the Physical Resources helpdesk is to be contacted, and asked to determine if the device is safe to use.

3.04

In general, WCDHB staff member’s personal electrical devices should not be used in WCDHB facilities.

4.00

Extension Cords

4.01

The use of extension cords is approved in the following situations: i) with temporary equipment; ii) to allow extended range of cleaning equipment with short power cords; iii) in emergency situations where necessary and approved by the Manager in charge of the area.

4.02

Retail store purchased extension leads are not be used in areas where they will be subject to constant flexing. In such circumstances, the Trades Department will supply a purpose made lead.

4.03

All extension cords shall be in good repair.

4.04

No more than one extension cord may be used per piece of equipment.

4.05

When in use the extension cord is required to be positioned in such a way that they cannot become damaged, wet or become a trip hazard.

4.06

Where required, extension cords will be checked for signs of deterioration and defect at an interval of not less than annually. The Electricians will carry out these checks.

4.07

Tapon plugs and double adapters are not permitted to be used.

5.00

Electrical Repairs

5.01

Where an electrical fault is detected with electrical equipment it is to be immediately withdrawn from service, tagged “Out of Service” and reported to the Physical Resources Help Desk for repair.

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Electrical Safety Procedure 5.02

Unqualified staff members are not to attempt to repair electrical items. Physical Resource Help Desk will organise the repair of faulty equipment.

6.00

Electrical Appliance Testing

6.01

The “Electricity Regulations Compilation 2003” January 2003 Part 5, Regulation 69(1) states that “Works, electrical installations, fittings, electrical appliances, and associated equipment must be designed, constructed, maintained, installed, and used so that they are electrically safe.” “Regulation 76 states that a “fitting or electrical appliance that is in-service complies if it has been tested, inspected and tagged according to AS/NZS3760 In-Service Safety Inspection And Testing Of Electrical Equipment.

6.02

To comply with this Regulation, WCDHB will perform regular electrical safety checks on some electrical appliances equipment. The type of testing is defined within AS/NZS3760 In-Service Safety Inspection And Testing Of Electrical Equipment.

6.03

AS/NZS3760 (2010) states that: i) Electrical equipment shall be inspected, tested and tagged on entry to service. (1.2.1.2) ii) Electrical equipment already in-service shall (if required) be inspected and tested at specified intervals. (1.2.2) iii) Fixed or stationary electrical equipment connected by fixed cable or flexible cord which is not flexed in normal use or exposed to damage; nor is in a hostile environment, is not normally considered to represent a hazard sufficient to warrant routine in-service electrical safety testing. Accordingly, the testing of such equipment is not required by this Standard. (1.2.3) iv) Where the flexible cable or cord is flexed on equipment which is moved for restocking, maintenance, cleaning, etc is considered to require in-service testing. (1.2.3)

6.04

Accordingly, the WCDHB will test all new electrical equipment before it enters service within any of its facilities.

6.05

The following equipment will not be subject to routine in-service testing unless it is flexed in normal use or exposed to damage, and/or is in a hostile environment: AM/FM/Radio Cassette/CD Players, Answer Phones, Battery Chargers (excluding wheelchair chargers), Bedside Lamps, Cafe Bars, Calculators, Cellphone Chargers, Clock Radios, Clothes Driers, Clothes Irons, Coffee Makers, Cordless Phones, Data Projectors, Desk Lamps, Dish Washers, Dust Busters, DVD Players, EFT POS Terminals, Electric Whiteboards, Eye Charts, Fax Machines, Food Blenders, Franking machines, Freezers, Fry pans, Intercoms, Kettles, Laminators, Microwave Ovens, Multiboxes, O/H projectors, Ovens, Paper Shredders, Photocopiers, Power Adapters, Scales, Timers, Toasters, Toasted Sandwich Makers, Transcribers, Televisions, Videos Players, Video Recorders, Washing Machines, Water Boilers, X-Ray Viewing Boxes. IT Equipment (Computers, Label Printers, Laptop Computer Chargers, Modems, Monitors, Printers, Servers), Laboratory Equipment.

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Electrical Safety Procedure

7.

6.06

Electrical safety checks of appliances where required will be undertaken by the Electricians.

6.07

When an electrical appliance has been tested, this will be indicated by the presence of an electrical safety test sticker on the equipment or a tag on the cable.

6.08

All IT equipment will be subject to testing at its point of entry to service. Except for specific items, no further testing is required unless the equipment has been subject to repair.

7.00

Purchasing Electrical Equipment

7.01

The WCDHB is required to test all new electrical equipment before it enters service within any of its facilities.

7.02

All purchases of electrical equipment must be made via the Stores/Physical Resources Help Desk.

7.03

Stores/Physical Resources Help Desk are to place the order with the relevant supplier.

7.04

Upon the arrival of the new electrical equipment, the Stores/Physical Resources Help Desk are to notify the Electricians who will undertake testing of the new electrical equipment.

7.05

Once the new electrical equipment has been tested by the Electricians (who has deemed it suitable for use) the new electrical equipment is to be delivered to the area that ordered it.

7.06

Any new electrical equipment that is found to be faulty will be returned to the supplier, and will not be distributed for use.

Precautions and Considerations  All staff members are required to participate in Electrical Safety Education Programme  All staff members are to undertake a visual check of the electrical equipment prior to using it  All accidents and incidents involving electrical equipment and devices is to be reported  All new electrical equipment is to be tested by the Electricians prior to its use

8.

References Guidelines for the Provision of Facilities and General Safety and Health in the Healthcare Industry – Worksafe NZ 2015. Energy Safety - Worksafe NZ 2015.

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Electrical Safety Procedure

1993 New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Installations, The Safe Use of Electricity in Medical Locations and Associated Areas - NZECP 12: Ministry of Commerce, Energy Inspection Group, Wellington. 1993 New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Inspection and Testing of Low Voltage Installations for Certification Purposes - NZECP II: Ministry of Commerce, Energy Inspection Group, Wellington. Legal Buying Group Opinion #58 – Testing of Electrical Appliances. The Electricity Act (1992) – Part II, Section 16. Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 2500: 2004 Guide to safe Use of Electricity in Patient Care. Australian/New Zealand Standards AS/NZS 3760: 2010 In-service Safety Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. 9.

Related Documents WCDHB Accident/Incident Reporting Procedure. WCDHB Personal Protective Equipment Procedure.

Revision History

Version: Developed By: Authorised By: Date Authorised: Date Last Reviewed: Date Of Next Review:

7 OSH Advisor General Manager – Corporate Services April 2000 June 2016 June 2018

Electrical Safety Procedure Page 6 of 6 Document Owner: Health, Safety & Wellbeing Advisor WCDHB-H&S5 Version 7, Reviewed June 2016 Master Copy is Electronic UNCONTROLLED DOCUMENT – WEST COAST DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD