This Live Electrical Testing and Fault Finding SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) is pre-filled for testing, measuring and fault finding on energised low voltage installations and equipment. It covers 22 activities, from justifying energised work and isolation to re-energising, records and emergency response, with the hazards, control measures and risk ratings before and after controls for each. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
 
Who it's for
Licensed electricians and electrical contractors
Maintenance electricians in factories, facilities and commercial buildings
Solar and battery installers testing grid-connected systems
Air conditioning and refrigeration technicians who hold electrical licences
Electrical test and inspection contractors
It also works as a written task risk assessment for any business where electricians test and fault find on live equipment, the same way you'd use a JSA or Safe Work Procedure.
 
Use it to
Hand clients and principal contractors the SWMS they ask for
Apply for tenders and new jobs with your safety paperwork ready
Get through prequalification with Avetta, Cm3 and other contractor portals
Induct new workers and run toolbox talks on the task
 
What this SWMS covers
Justifying and authorising energised testing, with a safety observer instead of working alone
Isolation and lock-out tag-out, including second supplies and stored energy
Securing the work area and isolating fire detection and suppression systems
Inspecting test instruments, leads, insulated tools and insulating gloves
Arc flash PPE and fitness for work
Opening switchboards, including asbestos backing boards and thermal surveys
Proving de-energised, live voltage and current measurement and shared neutrals
Insulation resistance, earth continuity, loop impedance and RCD testing
Fault finding on control circuits and variable speed drives
Solar PV, battery, air conditioning and refrigeration testing, including A2L refrigerants
Ceiling spaces, plant rooms, site traffic and manual handling of test gear
Re-energising, defect reporting and emergency response to shock, arc flash or fire
 
What's included
Hazards and control measures for 22 work activities
Risk ratings before and after controls, with a 5x5 risk matrix and the hierarchy of controls
PPE requirements checklist and high risk construction work checklist
Plant and equipment list, materials, maintenance checks and the training each worker needs
Relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 4836 for working on low voltage installations and AS/NZS 3017 for verification testing
Licence and competency requirements, including LV rescue and CPR assessed within 12 months and ARCtick for refrigeration work
Site specific hazards section for anything unique to your job
Worker sign-off sheet and worker consultation record
 
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing a SWMS from a blank page
Covers the most common hazards and control measures for this work, ready to use out of the box
Fully editable, so you can add, remove or change anything to suit your site and how your team works
Helps your business stay compliant, with risk ratings, worker sign-off and consultation records already set up
 
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, ABN, project and site details.
Check it suits your site and task, edit anything you need to, and consult your workers before you finalise it.
Brief your team and collect signatures.
 
Common questions
Is a SWMS required for live electrical testing and fault finding?
A SWMS is legally required when the job is high risk construction work, and work on or near energised electrical installations on a construction project falls into that category. Testing a rooftop solar array where someone could fall more than 2 metres is another example. Outside those situations a SWMS isn't mandatory, but you still have to manage the risks, and a SWMS is a sound way to record how. Clients, head contractors and prequalification portals often ask for one either way.
Does it cover when live work is justified?
Yes. It covers justifying and authorising energised testing, so equipment that could reasonably be de-energised isn't worked on live, and work doesn't start without a recorded risk assessment and a trained person ready to isolate the supply and carry out a rescue.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any hazard, control or rating, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.