Safety body issues ceiling space warning
Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has issued a bulletin about managing the dangers of working in ceiling spaces — with a focus on the greater risks for apprentices.
There are serious dangers to be found in ceiling spaces, and when inexperienced electrical apprentices work in a ceiling space, the dangers can be compounded.
The onus is on employers to ensure these risks are managed, and to provide information, training, instruction and supervision to ensure apprentices work safely in ceiling spaces.
The ESO urges employers working with electrical apprentices to:
- understand the risk profile of young workers
- manage the risk to health and safety
- provide adequate information, training, instruction and supervision
- develop a positive workplace culture where apprentices feel empowered to speak up.
The types of tasks given to apprentices should be considered, taking into account their skills, abilities and experience. Before an apprentice enters a ceiling space, the employer should identify the gaps in their knowledge and assess their ability to work safely.
Working in a ceiling space
When an electrician or apprentice needs to work in a ceiling or roof space, the supervisor should make sure all the main power switches are turned off at the switchboard first and ensure it cannot be re-energised while work is in progress. This will reduce the electrical risk significantly.
Even with the power off at the switchboard, workers should avoid contact with electrical cables and equipment as some circuits, like service lines and solar PV cables, will still be live. Exposed conductive parts such as air-conditioning ducts, roof sheeting or metal battens could be live if there is an electrical fault.
The ESO has asked employers to share its film about Dale Kennedy with apprentices and other workers. Dale was working in a ceiling space when he died from an electric shock. He was 20 years old and close to finishing his electrical apprenticeship.
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