DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Electrical Equipment Safety Inspection Checklist

Version July 2008
This checklist is a record of inspection only and should be carried out annually by licensed personnel. Other staff
may conduct the inspection for the purpose of reporting periodical risk awareness. This checklist should also be used in
conjunction with Frequency of Electrical Inspections and Testing. All electrical faults must be repaired by
licensed personnel.

Workplace Location
Licensed
Yes / no

Inspection officer

X Extreme Risk extremely urgent, action IMMEDIATELY

H High Risk urgent, action AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
M Medium Risk action within ONE WEEK.
L Minor Risk not urgent, action within ONE MONTH
Ok No Risk no action required

Risk Priority Rating:

Question

Item

(in some cases may be n/a)

Notes / Action

General
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Is electrical safety part of staff induction?

People working with electricity are given suitable information,
instruction, training and have appropriate licenses?
Does all electrical equipment and leads have inspection tags?
Are tags visible to the user or fitted to the cable close to the
plug?
Are light switches easily locatable and in good working order?
Are light fittings serviceable and suitable for the area?
Is emergency lighting and exit lights adequate for the area?
Do permanent electrical appliances such as photocopiers
have their own power point?
Are Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers installed and tested by
Facilities Management at regular intervals?
Are power points easily locatable and not obstructed?
Are power point switches in good condition?
Are power points correctly labeled with the circuit details?
Are power points labeled that they are protected by ELCB?
Has the risk of circuit breaker tripper been controlled?
Are plugs pushed all the way into the power point?
Is the total power load on a normal circuit less than 2400
watts?
Are heavy current items plugged into power points, not power
boards?
Are power points kept free of cleaners and detergents?
Are electrical leads protected from strain?
Work area free of any trip hazard from leads and cables?

For help in filling in this form contact your school safety delegate, or DET OHS Consultant, on 89014985.
1

Risk
Rating

Date
Risk
Removed

Item

21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
3
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45

Question

Notes / Action

(in some cases may be n/a)

Risk
Rating

Do all power boards have overload protection, preferably with

individual switches?
Appropriate use of power boards or extension leads?
Are extension leads a suitable length?
Are portable cable reels unwound before use?
Is the use of double adaptors prohibited?
Are piggy back plugs only used in applicable areas (eg
university theatres)?
If you need to unplug items do you use a power board with
switches?
Do new flexible leads have moulded plugs or transparent
covers?
Does all portable electrical equipment have current electrical
tags?
Are any frayed or damaged electrical leads removed from
service?
Are flexible leads anchored to equipment, plugs and sockets?
Have power leads been tested for correctly wiring or polarity?
Are extension leads of suitable length, not too long and coiled
up?
Are you using heavy duty leads where needed such as floor
polishers?
Are electrical appliances being used in a safe manner?
Are electrical appliances used in a manner where they will not
become wet or have liquid split into them?
Any noisy fans or blocked air vents in electrical equipment?
Do you have a maintenance program to avoid long term dust
buildup inside equipment such as computers?
Are there any loose or missing covers or guards from
electrical equipment?
Is electrical equipment suitable for the work task?
Is faulty electrical equipment clearly marked and removed
from service?
Do portable fan heaters have a one hour timer fitted?
Is combustible material stored near electrical equipment?
Do you report faulty electrical installations immediately?
Are switchboards correctly labeled and unobstructed?

Workshops/Laboratories
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56

Do all electrical equipment and leads have current test tags?

Is workshop free of any trip hazard from leads and cables?
Is high voltage equipment labeled with appropriate warning?
Is access to electrical switchboards easily available through
Facilities Management if locked?
Is access to switchboards blocked by furniture?
Do emergency isolation switches need to be installed?
Are emergency isolation switched clearly marked and located
near an exit?
Are carbon dioxide fire extinguishers located near
switchboards?
Are residual current devices fitted to all outlets?
Are electrical ignition sources controlled in flammable
environments?
Are laboratory refrigerators spark proof if storing flammable
materials?
For help in filling in this form contact your school safety delegate, or the Industrial Relations Manager, DET, on 89995978.

Date
Risk
Removed

Question

Item

Notes / Action

(in some cases may be n/a)

Risk
Rating

Date
Risk
Removed

Outdoors
57
58
59

Are safety procedures in place for working near overhead

power lines?
Is site power suitable and outlets protected?
Are only heavy duty extension leads used outdoors?

Determining the Level of Risk

This document can be used to identify the level of risk and help to prioritise any control measures. Consider the
consequences and likelihood for each to the identified hazards and use the table to obtain the risk level.
Further information regarding determining the level of risk can be found via the following link
http://www.det.nt.gov.au/education/policiesandforms/docs/self_inspection/risk_management_process.pdf

This checklist should be signed off and registered within one month of the inspection date stated on page one

Principals name

Signature

Date

Comments:

For help in filling in this form contact your school safety delegate, or the Industrial Relations Manager, DET, on 89995978.