If an appliance needs adjusting or cleaning,

SWITCH OFF the power and PULL OUT

the PLUG not by the cord.

Make sure the exible cord on cord reels is fully

unwound. Overheating may occur if used to
supply high wattage appliances when coiled.

SAFETY SWITCHES
Safety switches automatically disconnect
power supply in the event of a fault.
They are available in three basic types:

Household cleaners, detergents and

insecticides may cause cracking and
create an electrical hazard if sprayed
on electrical accessories.

ALWAYS treat a tingle or slight shock as a

warning advise your electricity authority or a
Registered Electrical Contractor immediately.
NEVER touch an appliance which caused
a shock until it has been disconnected from
the power source. Label it clearly to prevent
anyone else from using it until it has been
repaired and tested or replace it completely.

Never connect a piggyback plug or ordinary

plug to the appliance end of an extension lead
as the pins will be live. Fatal accidents have
been caused by this arrangement.
Teach children that electrical appliances,
cords, switches and outlets are not play things.
Safety shuttered outlets as well as plastic
covers for ordinary type outlets are available.

Even if you consider yourself to be handy

around the home, DO NOT attempt electrical
work of any kind. ALWAYS get it done by a
Registered Electrical Contractor - knowledge
and experience of that person is your best
protection.

Frayed or damaged cords are dangerous

and should be replaced immediately. Many
old plugs do not have safety barriers between
the connections replace them with
modern plugs.

OVERSEAS
TRAVELLERS
Some electrical articles purchased overseas
may not operate satisfactorily under Australian
conditions and may not comply with our safety
standards such articles could be hazardous
if used without modication. If you purchase
electrical articles from overseas, have them
checked rst BEFORE USE.

Keep the exible cord well clear of your electric

edge trimmer or lawn mower when in use.
If the cord is damaged, dont touch the
edge trimmer or mower switch power
off at the plug.

REMEMBER
Electric blankets like all other electrical
appliances must be used in strict accordance
with the manufacturers instructions. Tie
the tapes so that the blanket cant crease.
Have your electric blanket inspected
at least once every ve years.

ESVDL10pp(Safety).indd 1-5

DONT DO IT YOURSELF - CALL A REGISTERED

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR!
All electrical wiring work, including the connection of xed appliances
such as rangehoods, water heaters etc., must be carried out by a
Registered Electrical Contractor.
Anyone interfering with electrical wiring is not only breaking
the law but runs the risk of a serious accident.

The permanently installed switchboard

unit that can be wired into your existing
switchboard and provide protection for the
whole house or just for specic circuits.
The power outlet unit simply replaces an
existing wall socket and functions as a
normal socket.
The portable unit provides a link between
the normal outlet and a tool or appliance.

All safety switches have one thing in common

THEY SAVE LIVES. They have the ability to
switch off current in 30 milliseconds. Thats
one-thirtieth of a heartbeat! Fast enough to
prevent a severe shock, minimise the danger
of a re and save a life.
However they do not give you or your family
the freedom to be careless with electricity.

ELECTRIC SHOCK
Resuscitation
Remember the person is electried until released. Take precautions
against receiving a shock yourself by immediately switching off the
electricity where practical. The person must be pulled or pushed
clear of hazard using dry non-conducting material such as wood,
rope, clothing, rubber or plastic. DO NOT use metal or anything moist.
Where necessary, prevent the person from sustaining further injury
by falling. Send for an ambulance or a doctor immediately.
Rescue
The rst 3 minutes are vital! Act immediately, assess level of
consciousness and thenif person is not breathing, commence
expired air resuscitation.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

SAFETY GUIDE

USE ELECTRICITY
SAFELY
Every year too many people lose their lives through
electrical accidents. This leaet shows the major
causes of electrical accidents and how to avoid them.
Many fatal accidents occur as a result of unqualied
people attempting to repair electrical equipment.
DONT DO IT YOURSELF CALL A
REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

THE IMPORTANCE OF
EARTH WIRES
Earth wires in appliance cords and in your electrical
installation are your life-lines.
In the event of a fault occurring, power will ow to earth
by the shortest and easiest path. If the appliance is not
properly earthed, the power may well ow through the
body of the user.resulting perhaps in a fatal shock!
IN FLEXIBLE CORDS, THE GREEN/YELLOW OR
GREEN WIRE IS THE EARTH WIRE AND MUST
ALWAYS BE CONNECTED TO THE LONGEST PIN
MARKED E OR EARTH.
The earth wires from your power points join a main
earth wire, which in turn is attached to a metal stake
driven into the ground and/or a metal water pipe. This
connection should be checked from time to time to see
that it is still connected and is not damaged.
If it is necessary to have the earth wire shifted for any
reason, or any metal water pipe altered or replaced by
a plastic water pipe or ttings, contact a Registered
Electrical Contractor rst.

WATER AND ELECTRICITY

ARE A DANGEROUS MIXTURE
An electric shock received in the swimming
pool area is more likely to be fatal than in other
locations bare feet, minimum clothing and
wet skin effectively reduce body resistance.
A shock from as low as 2 Volts IN WATER
could be sufcient to cause paralysis
resulting in drowning.
Temporary or makeshift arrangements are
hazardous. Never use a portable electrical
appliance or place an extension cord where
it could be splashed or fall into the pool.
Because water conducts electricity,
DO NOT touch electrical appliances
or switches with wet hands.
You could receive a fatal shock.
Never leave an electrical appliance
where it can fall into the bath or basin.

Use only approved hand-lamps, which

are tted with guards to protect the lamp.
Home made hand-lamps have caused
many fatalities.

Many deaths have occurred due to the

misuse of electric arc welders. Human contact
between the electrode and the work can
be fatal. Strictly observe established safety
precautions.

Dont leave unattended with children.

Unplug after use.
DO NOT use a portable electric radiator
in the bathroom. A permanently installed
heater is much safer.

It is safe practice to wear rubber or plastic

soled shoes when using electrical appliances
in laundries, on concrete oors or out of doors.
Many victims of serious and fatal electrical
accidents are barefooted.

The supply cord to your caravan must be

in good condition and rated at 15 amps.
Beware of overhead powerlines/wires
when erecting TV antennas.

ESVDL10pp(Safety).indd 6-10

Portable generator sets can be just as

dangerous as mains supply if misused.
Before connecting to house supply, check
with your electricity supply authority.

The use of oversized fuse wire can cause res.

When a fuse blows repeatedly, there is a fault
somewherehave it checked out by a
Registered Electrical Contractor.

Switch off all heating appliances if the power

fails res have been caused when the
power returns unexpectedly. Combustible
material must be kept well clear of all heating
appliances.

Never attach swings, clothes lines, hanging

baskets or the like of, around beams to
which electrical wiring is attached.

DO NOT y kites or model aeroplanes

anywhere near overhead powerlines/wires.

STAY CLEAR OF OVERHEAD

POWERLINES
Every year people die as a result of accidental
contact with overhead powerlines.

Fallen and sagging wires are dangerous

dont touch, stand clear, stand guard and
send for help. Notify the local electricity
authority or police.

Tip trucks, irrigation pipes, boat masts,

cranes, grain augers and aerials have all
caused fatal accidents if they have come
into contact with powerlines.
Remember that electricity can spark across
from powerlines, so even a close approach
to them can kill.

LOOK UP AND LIVE.

Keep clear of electric wires attached
to your house or shed.
When using a metal ladder, you are in effect,
in metallic contact with the ground. Even the
simplest of tasks such as changing a lamp,
should be performed with great care.

Be careful where you dig, there may be

buried cables. If there is any doubt, call
Dial Before You Dig on 1100 or visit
www.dialbeforeyoudig.com.au.

Climbing transmission line towers or entering

substations can result in electrocution as
both carry extremely high voltages.
KEEP WELL CLEAR of them.
Remember that electricity can jump a
surprisingly long distance from high voltage
equipment.

Multiple plugs can overload the power point

and wiring having another power point
installed by a Registered Electrical Contractor
is a cheaper option than a re

Makeshift extension cords and cords which

have no earth wire are dangerous. If you have
any doubt about the safety of an extension
lead, replace it with a pre-assembled type
with a moulded plug and socket.

Broken switches and sockets are dangerous.

Cover them up and have them replaced by
a Registered Electrical Contractor.

2/8/05 6:38:30 PM