The obligation
PCBUs must ensure unsafe electrical equipment at the workplace is disconnected or isolated from its electricity supply.
Electrical equipment is unsafe if there are reasonable grounds for believing it to be unsafe. Once disconnected, it must not be reconnected until a competent person repairs or tests it and finds it safe, or it is replaced or permanently removed from use. You should implement a safe system of work for potentially unsafe equipment, which may include pre-use checks of leads and plugs by competent workers and taking equipment out of service if in doubt.
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- What
- PCBUs must ensure unsafe electrical equipment at the workplace is disconnected or isolated from its electricity supply.
- Source
- safework.nsw.gov.au
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Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Disconnecting unsafe electrical equipment is a WHS requirement set out in Managing electrical risks (NSW). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). The relevant provision is Managing electrical risks > Electrical equipment.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Disconnecting unsafe electrical equipment is a WHS obligation under Managing electrical risks (NSW). In short, PCBUs must ensure unsafe electrical equipment at the workplace is disconnected or isolated from its electricity supply.
What changed recently?
Disconnecting unsafe electrical equipment was last updated on 9 October 2026.
