Electricity Act 1945

Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015

 

Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015

Contents

Part 1 — Preliminary

1.Citation1

2.Commencement1

3.Terms used1

4.Network operators4

5.Persons for whom a network operator or contractor is responsible6

Part 2 — Network safety

Division 1 — General safety requirements

6.Duty of network operator to manage prescribed activities7

7.Duty of contractor to manage prescribed activities8

8.Duty of persons carrying out prescribed activities9

9.Duties relating to certain risks to safety9

Division 2 — Certain network operators required to have safety management systems

10.Network operators to whom this Division applies10

11.When this Division commences to apply to a network operator11

12.Transfer of operation of network12

13.Requirement to have safety management system13

14.Requirement to revise safety management system13

15.Requirement to comply with safety management system14

16.Compliance with safety management system evidence of compliance with regulation 6 or 715

Division 3 — Requirements if network operator not required to have safety management system

17.Terms used and approval of certain standards and codes by Director15

18.Network operators to whom this Division applies16

19.Requirement to comply with obligatory provisions16

20.Compliance with obligatory and evidentiary provisions evidence of compliance with regulation 6 or 716

21.Requirement to provide information and training17

Part 3 — Notification, investigation and reporting

Division 1 — Notifiable incidents

22.Terms used19

23.Notification and investigation of suspected notifiable incidents20

24.Reporting of notifiable incidents21

25.Requirement not to disturb site of notifiable incident or physical evidence22

26.Destructive testing of physical evidence23

27.Statistical reporting24

Division 2 — Reporting on network safety performance

28.Terms used24

29.Network operators to whom this Division applies25

30.Network safety performance incidents25

31.Network operator to publish annual objectives27

32.Network operator to publish quarterly outcomes28

33.Director may publish and comment on objectives and outcomes29

Part 4 — Review of decisions

34.Decisions to which this Part applies30

35.Application for review30

36.Review of determinations of Director under regulation 3531

37.Technical review panels: convening, remuneration and support33

38.Technical review panels: procedure on review33

39.Technical review panels: costs34

Part 5 — Miscellaneous

40.Defence for certain network operators35

41.Contact details of network operators35

Part 6 — Repeal, consequential amendments and transitional provisions

Division 1 — Repeal

42.Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001 repealed38

Division 2 — Consequential amendments

43.Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 amended38

44.Electricity Regulations 1947 amended38

Division 3 — Transitional provisions

45.Terms used40

46.Standards and codes41

47.Notifiable incidents that occurred before commencement day41

Schedule 1 — Standards and codes containing evidentiary provisions

Division 1 — General

Division 2 — Overhead lines

Division 3 — Switchyards, substations and power stations

Division 4 — Underground cables

Division 5 — Power coordination

Schedule 2 — Standards and codes containing obligatory provisions

Division 1 — General

Division 2 — Overhead lines

Division 3 — Underground cables

Division 4 — Switchgear and protection

Notes

Compilation table50

Provisions that have not come into operation50

Defined terms

 

Electricity Act 1945

Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015

Part 1  Preliminary

1.Citation

These regulations are the Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015.

2.Commencement

These regulations come into operation as follows —

(a)regulations 1 and 2 — on the day on which these regulations are published in the Gazette;

(b)the rest of the regulations — on the day after that day.

3.Terms used

(1)In these regulations, unless the contrary intention appears —

AS followed by a designation consisting of a number and a reference to a year refers to the text, as from time to time amended and for the time being in force, of the document so designated, published by Standards Australia;

AS 5577 means AS 5577‑2013 Electricity network safety management systems;

AS/NZS followed by a designation consisting of a number and a reference to a year refers to the text, as from time to time amended and for the time being in force, of the document so designated, jointly published by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand;

CEO means the chief executive officer of the department of the Public Service principally assisting in the administration of the Act;

contractor means —

(a)a person engaged under a contract for services to carry out prescribed activities on a network; or

(b)a subcontractor of a person described in paragraph (a);

distribution licence has the meaning given in the Electricity Industry Act 2004 section 3;

electricity inspector means an inspector as defined in the Energy Coordination Act 1994 section 3(1) who is classified as an electricity inspector under section 12 of that Act;

employee means a person employed under a contract of service;

ENA followed by a designation including a number and a reference to a year refers to the text, as from time to time amended and for the time being in force, of the document so designated, published by or on behalf of the Energy Networks Association;

HB followed by a designation consisting of a number and a reference to a year refers to the text, as from time to time amended and for the time being in force, of the document so designated, published by Standards Australia;

implementation day, for a network operator, has the meaning given in regulation 11(4);

integrated regional licence has the meaning given in the Electricity Industry Act 2004 section 3;

network means —

(a)transmission works operated by a network operator; and

(b)distribution works operated by a network operator, including —

(i)generating works that are connected to the distribution works for the purposes of emergency or interim generation of electricity and that are owned, hired, leased by, or otherwise under the control of, the network operator; and

(ii)service apparatus connected to the distribution works, other than service apparatus the property of a consumer or an owner or occupier of premises to which electricity is supplied; and

(iii)if the distribution works are used to supply electricity otherwise than to the premises of a consumer — apparatus to which the electricity is supplied;

and

(c)works that would be covered by paragraph (a) or (b) except that they are no longer used to convey or distribute electricity, whether or not the works have been disconnected from generating works or from other transmission or distribution works;

network operator means a person who is a network operator under regulation 4;

pole means a support structure for overhead conductors of a network;

prescribed activity means an activity carried out in the course of the design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance or decommissioning of a network;

quarter means a period of 3 months beginning on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October in any year;

safety means the safety of persons (including persons for whom a network operator or contractor is responsible), consumers and the public;

safety management system means a safety management system that a network operator has in compliance with regulation 13;

subcontractor, of a contractor, means a person engaged under a contract for services by the contractor to carry out prescribed activities on a network;

transmission licence has the meaning given in the Electricity Industry Act 2004 section 3;

working day means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday throughout the State.

(2)For the purposes of these regulations, a reference to the network, in relation to a network operator, is a reference to —

(a)if the network operator operates one network — that network; or

(b)if the network operator operates 2 or more networks — any of those networks.

(3)For the purposes of these regulations, a prescribed activity is carried out on a network if the prescribed activity is carried out in, on or in connection with the network.

(4)However, if the prescribed activity is carried out in the course of the construction, commissioning, maintenance or decommissioning of the network, the activity is not carried out in connection with the network unless it is carried out within 6 metres of the network.

4.Network operators

(1)The following persons are network operators —

(a)the Electricity Networks Corporation established by the Electricity Corporations Act 2005 section 4(1)(b);

(b)the Regional Power Corporation established by the Electricity Corporations Act 2005 section 4(1)(d);

(c)Pilbara Iron Pty Ltd (ACN 107 216 535), or any successor to that company, operating transmission or distribution works under —

(i)the Agreement as defined in the Iron Ore (Hamersley Range) Agreement Act 1963 section 2; or

(ii)the Agreement as defined in the Iron Ore (Robe River) Agreement Act 1964 section 2;

(d)Hamersley Iron Pty. Limited (ACN 004 558 276), or any successor to that company, operating transmission or distribution works under the Agreement as defined in the Iron Ore (Hamersley Range) Agreement Act 1963 section 2;

(e)each of the Robe River Joint Venture participants, or any successor to any of those companies, operating transmission or distribution works under the Agreement as defined in the Iron Ore (Robe River) Agreement Act 1964 section 2;

(f)BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty. Ltd. (ACN 008 700 981), or any successor to that company, operating transmission or distribution works under the Agreement as defined in the Iron Ore (Mount Newman) Agreement Act 1964 section 2;

(g)each of the Newman Joint Venture participants, or any successor to any of those companies, operating transmission or distribution works under the Agreement as defined in the Iron Ore (Mount Newman) Agreement Act 1964 section 2;

(h)a person, other than the Rottnest Island Authority, who, under the Electricity Industry Act 2004, holds or is required to hold —

(i)a transmission licence; or

(ii)a distribution licence; or

(iii)an integrated regional licence that authorises the holder to carry out one or more of the activities described in section 4(1)(b) and (c) of that Act.

(2)For the purposes of subregulation (1)(e), the Robe River Joint Venture participants are —

(a)Mitsui Iron Ore Development Pty Ltd (ACN 008 734 361);

(b)Nippon Steel & Sumikin Resources Australia Pty. Ltd. (ACN 001 444 604);

(c)Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 001 445 049);

(d)North Mining Limited (ACN 000 081 434);

(e)Robe River Mining Co. Pty. Ltd. (ACN 008 694 246).

(3)For the purposes of subregulation (1)(g), the Newman Joint Venture participants are —

(a)BHP Billiton Minerals Pty Ltd (ACN 008 694 782);

(b)Mitsui‑Itochu Iron Pty Ltd (ACN 008 702 761);

(c)Itochu Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 009 256 259).

5.Persons for whom a network operator or contractor is responsible

(1)For the purposes of these regulations, the persons for whom a network operator is responsible are —

(a)each employee of the network operator;

(b)each contractor of the network operator;

(c)each employee of a contractor of the network operator;

(d)any other person instructed or authorised by the network operator to carry out prescribed activities on the network.

(2)For the purposes of these regulations, the persons for whom a contractor is responsible are —

(a)each employee of the contractor;

(b)each subcontractor of the contractor;

(c)each employee of a subcontractor of the contractor.

Part 2 — Network safety

Division 1 — General safety requirements

6.Duty of network operator to manage prescribed activities

(1)A network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each prescribed activity carried out on the network is carried out safely.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)A network operator contravenes subregulation (1) if the network operator fails to —

(a)develop, implement and maintain adequate work practices relating to prescribed activities; or

(b)develop, implement and maintain adequate plans for the inspection, maintenance and (if necessary) replacement of the network or parts of it; or

(c)provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, adequate instruction, training and supervision to persons for whom the network operator is responsible, taking into account the nature of the prescribed activities carried out by those persons and the competence of those persons; or

(d)ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons who are carrying out prescribed activities on the network, and for whom the network operator is responsible, comply with the design of the network; or

(e)ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons who are carrying out prescribed activities on the network, and for whom the network operator is responsible, comply with the work practices applicable to the prescribed activities; or

(f)regularly review the design, engineering and operation of the network, and the work practices applicable to prescribed activities carried out on the network, for safety and effectiveness.

(3)Subregulation (2) does not limit the generality of subregulation (1).

(4)A network operator must maintain records that are sufficient to demonstrate the extent of the network operator’s compliance with its duty under subregulation (1).

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

7.Duty of contractor to manage prescribed activities

(1)A contractor must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each prescribed activity carried out on a network by a person for whom the contractor is responsible is carried out safely.

Penalty:

(a)for an individual, a fine of $50 000;

(b)for a body corporate, a fine of $250 000.

(2)A contractor contravenes subregulation (1) if the contractor fails to —

(a)provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, adequate instruction, training and supervision to persons for whom the contractor is responsible, taking into account the nature of the prescribed activity carried out and the competence of those persons; or

(b)ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons who are carrying out prescribed activities on the network, and for whom the contractor is responsible, comply with the design of the network; or

(c)ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons who are carrying out prescribed activities on the network, and for whom the contractor is responsible, comply with the work practices applicable to the prescribed activities.

(3)Subregulation (2) does not limit the generality of subregulation (1).

8.Duty of persons carrying out prescribed activities

(1)An individual must, in carrying out a prescribed activity on a network, ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the activity is carried out safely.

Penalty: a fine of $50 000.

(2)An individual contravenes subregulation (1) if the individual, in carrying out the prescribed activity, fails to —

(a)comply with the design of the network; or

(b)comply with the work practices applicable to the prescribed activity.

(3)Subregulation (2) does not limit the generality of subregulation (1).

9.Duties relating to certain risks to safety

(1)In this regulation —

investigate includes to consider whether or not a work practice or safety management system contributed to a risk to safety;

risk to safety, in relation to a network, means —

(a)anything at a place where a prescribed activity is being carried out on a network that is a risk to safety; or

(b)the condition of any part of the network that is a risk to safety.

(2)If a network operator becomes aware of a risk to safety in relation to a network of the network operator, the network operator must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, investigate the risk.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(3)Subregulation (2) does not apply to a risk that is inherent.

(4)If a person for whom a network operator is responsible becomes aware of a risk to safety in relation to a network of the network operator, the person must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, notify the network operator of the risk, unless the person knows that the network operator has already been notified.

Penalty:

(a)for an individual, a fine of $50 000;

(b)for a body corporate, a fine of $250 000.

(5)If an investigation reveals that there is a risk to safety, the network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that —

(a)the risk is minimised or eliminated, as soon as is reasonably practicable; and

(b)until the risk is minimised or eliminated, no prescribed activity is carried out on any affected part of the network, other than work to minimise or eliminate the risk.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(6)The requirements imposed by this regulation are in addition to any requirements applying under an applicable safety management system.

Division 2 — Certain network operators required to have safety management systems

10.Network operators to whom this Division applies

This Division applies to and in relation to a network operator referred to in regulation 4(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g).

11.When this Division commences to apply to a network operator

(1)The obligations in this Division apply to and in relation to a network operator, and each network of the network operator, on and after the earlier of —

(a)the day that the network operator nominates as the day on which the obligations commence to apply to the network operator; and

(b)the implementation day for the network operator.

(2)To nominate a day for the purposes of subregulation (1)(a), a network operator must notify the Director in writing of the day, at least 20 working days prior to the day.

(3)If the day nominated by a network operator for the purposes of subregulation (1)(a) is before the implementation day for the network operator, the Director must publish notice of that day on a website maintained on behalf of the Director.

(4)The implementation day for a network operator is —

(a)the last day of the 2 year period immediately following the day on which the network operator becomes a network operator; or

(b)if a later day is approved by the Director under subregulation (5) for the network operator — the day approved.

(5)The Director may, on application by a network operator, approve in writing a day that is later than the day specified in subregulation (4)(a) as the implementation day for the network operator if the Director considers it appropriate in the circumstances to do so.

(6)An application for an approval under subregulation (5) must —

(a)be in writing; and

(b)nominate a day by which the network operator intends to have developed its safety management system; and

(c)state the reasons for the application.

(7)If the Director approves a day under subregulation (5), the Director must publish notice of that day on a website maintained on behalf of the Director.

(8)This regulation has effect subject to regulation 12.

12.Transfer of operation of network

(1)Subregulation (2) applies to a person if —

(a)the operation of a network is transferred to the person; and

(b)the obligations in this Division did not apply to the person before the transfer; and

(c)the person is the network operator of the network after the transfer (whether or not the person was a network operator before the transfer); and

(d)immediately before the transfer, the obligations in this Division applied to the network operator of the network (the prior network operator).

(2)If this subregulation applies to a person —

(a)this Division applies to and in relation to the person, whether or not the person is a network operator described in regulation 10; and

(b)the obligations in this Division apply to and in relation to the person on and from —

(i)if the prior network operator had, or was required to have, a safety management system in relation to the network — the day on which the operation of the network is transferred to the person; or

(ii)if subparagraph (i) does not apply — the day worked out under regulation 11 in relation to the person, as if the 2 year period referred to in regulation 11(4)(a) were the 2 year period applicable to the first person to become a network operator in relation to the network.

13.Requirement to have safety management system

(1)A network operator must have a safety management system that —

(a)applies to all networks of the network operator; and

(b)complies with AS 5577.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)Subregulation (1)(b) is subject to regulation 14.

14.Requirement to revise safety management system

(1)A network operator must review and revise its safety management system in accordance with AS 5577.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)If AS 5577 is amended, a network operator must revise its safety management system so that it complies with the standard, as amended, before the later of —

(a)the time (if any) specified for that in the amendment; and

(b)the end of the period of 6 months after the day on which the amendment is published, or that period as extended under subregulation (3).

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(3)The Director may, on application by a network operator, extend the period of 6 months if the Director considers it appropriate in the circumstances to do so.

(4)An application for an extension under subregulation (3) must —

(a)be in writing; and

(b)nominate a day by which the network operator intends to have revised its safety management system; and

(c)state the reasons for the application.

(5)If the Director extends the 6 month period, the Director must give notice of the extension to the network operator and publish notice of the extension on a website maintained on behalf of the Director.

15.Requirement to comply with safety management system

(1)A network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each prescribed activity carried out on the network is carried out in accordance with the network operator’s safety management system.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)A network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that all other requirements of the safety management system (including, without limitation, auditing and record‑keeping requirements) are complied with.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(3)A contractor must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each prescribed activity carried out on the network by the contractor or a person for whom the contractor is responsible is carried out in accordance with the network operator’s safety management system.

Penalty:

(a)for an individual, a fine of $50 000;

(b)for a body corporate, a fine of $250 000.

16.Compliance with safety management system evidence of compliance with regulation 6 or 7

(1)Compliance by a network operator with the network operator’s safety management system is evidence of compliance with regulation 6.

(2)In relation to a prescribed activity carried out on a network by a contractor, or a person for whom the contractor is responsible, compliance by the contractor with the network operator’s safety management system is evidence of compliance with regulation 7.

Division 3 — Requirements if network operator not required to have safety management system

17.Terms used and approval of certain standards and codes by Director

(1)In this Division —

evidentiary provision means a provision of —

(a)a standard or code published under a law of any jurisdiction in Australia ; or

(b)a standard or code published by Standards Australia or Standards New Zealand or both; or

(c)a standard or code published by any other body and approved by the Director under subregulation (2); or

(d)a standard or code specified in Schedule 1;

obligatory provision means a provision of a standard or code specified in Schedule 2.

(2)The Director may approve a standard or code in writing for the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of evidentiary provision in subregulation (1).

(3)A network operator may submit a standard or code to the Director for approval under subregulation (2).

(4)The Director may at any time revoke an approval under subregulation (2).

(5)If the Director approves a standard or code, the Director must publish notice of that on a website maintained on behalf of the Director.

18.Network operators to whom this Division applies

This Division applies to and in relation to a network operator if the network operator is not required to have a safety management system under Division 2.

19.Requirement to comply with obligatory provisions

(1)A network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each prescribed activity carried out on the network is carried out in such a way as to comply with each obligatory provision that applies to the prescribed activity.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)A contractor must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each prescribed activity carried out on a network by the contractor, or a person for whom the contractor is responsible, is carried out in such a way as to comply with each obligatory provision that applies to the prescribed activity.

Penalty:

(a)for an individual, a fine of $50 000;

(b)for a body corporate, a fine of $250 000.

20.Compliance with obligatory and evidentiary provisions evidence of compliance with regulation 6 or 7

(1)Compliance by a network operator with —

(a)an obligatory provision that applies to a prescribed activity; or

(b)an evidentiary provision that —

(i)applies to a prescribed activity; and

(ii)is not inconsistent with an obligatory provision that applies to the prescribed activity,

is evidence of compliance with regulation 6 in relation to that prescribed activity.

(2)Compliance by a contractor with —

(a)an obligatory provision that applies to a prescribed activity; or

(b)an evidentiary provision that —

(i)applies to a prescribed activity; and

(ii)is not inconsistent with an obligatory provision that applies to the prescribed activity,

is evidence of compliance with regulation 7 in relation to that prescribed activity.

21.Requirement to provide information and training

(1)A network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each person for whom the network operator is responsible who carries out a prescribed activity on the network —

(a)is provided with access to information setting out work standards, procedures and practices that are relevant to the activity and consistent with the requirements of these regulations; and

(b)has been given instruction and training, and has been assessed as competent, in the safe application and use of those standards, procedures and practices.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)A contractor must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each person for whom the contractor is responsible who carries out a prescribed activity on a network —

(a)is provided with access to information setting out work standards, procedures and practices that are relevant to the activity and consistent with the requirements of these regulations; and

(b)has been given instruction and training, and has been assessed as competent, in the safe application and use of those standards, procedures and practices.

Penalty:

(a)for an individual, a fine of $50 000;

(b)for a body corporate, a fine of $250 000.

Part 3 — Notification, investigation and reporting

Division 1 — Notifiable incidents

22.Terms used

In this Division —

notifiable incident, in relation to a network, means an incident of any of the following types —

(a)the discharge of electricity from the network that —

(i)causes the electric shock, injury or death of a person or the death of livestock; or

(ii)causes a fire, in vegetation, that extends for more than 200 m from its origin; or

(iii)causes a fire in a building or structure that is not a part of the network; or

(iv)causes a fire, explosion or implosion in or on a part of the network, including a building or structure that is a part of the network, other than a wood pole;

(b)the supply of electricity to consumers in a way that does not comply with section 25(1)(d) of the Act and that causes damage to one or more consumer’s installations, if the cost of rectifying the damage is likely to exceed $20 000 in aggregate;

(c)a consumer’s installation becoming unsafe because of an error in —

(i)connecting the network to the installation; or

(ii)connecting a meter to the installation;

(d)a faulty neutral connection on the network that affects at least 2 consumers;

protective device means a fuse, circuit breaker, reclosing switch or other device that is designed to interrupt the supply of electricity.

23.Notification and investigation of suspected notifiable incidents

(1)If a network operator has reasonable grounds to suspect that a notifiable incident has occurred in relation to the network the network operator must —

(a)notify the Director of the incident, in a manner approved by the Director, as soon as possible after the network operator becomes aware of the incident; and

(b)include in the notification all readily available details of the operation of any protective device that occurred on the network and that related, or may have related, to the incident.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)The network operator must investigate the incident.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(3)The network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that physical evidence relating to the incident is secured and retained until —

(a)the Director has notified the network operator that the physical evidence is no longer required to be retained; or

(b)the Director, with the agreement of the network operator, takes possession of the evidence.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(4)If, after notifying the Director of the incident, the network operator becomes satisfied on reasonable grounds that the incident is not a notifiable incident, the network operator must notify the Director of that, as soon as is reasonably practicable.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(5)The requirement to secure physical evidence under subregulation (3) is satisfied if —

(a)the network operator moves the evidence to a place where it is secure from damage and interference; or

(b)in a case where it is impracticable for the evidence to be moved as described in paragraph (a) —

(i)the evidence is at a site the subject of a notification by the Director under regulation 25(1); or

(ii)the network operator has made arrangements, that are approved by the Director, to secure the evidence.

(6)A person must not dispose of or destroy physical evidence relating to the incident while it is required to be retained under subregulation (3).

Penalty:

(a)for an individual, a fine of $50 000;

(b)for a body corporate, a fine of $250 000.

24.Reporting of notifiable incidents

(1)Unless the network operator has notified the Director under regulation 23(4) that the network operator is satisfied that the incident is not a notifiable incident, the network operator must —

(a)prepare a report of the investigation of the incident in accordance with subregulation (2); and

(b)give the report to the Director within 30 working days after the day on which the incident occurred or any extension of that period the Director, in writing, allows.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)The report must —

(a)be in a form acceptable to the Director; and

(b)describe the incident; and

(c)identify the cause of the incident or state that the cause of the incident is not known; and

(d)describe the steps taken to investigate the incident; and

(e)indicate whether the network operator proposes to revise its safety management system (if one applies to the network) and, if so, how and by when; and

(f)include or be accompanied by the following —

(i)any photographs, videos, maps or diagrams that the network operator has that are relevant to the incident;

(ii)any opinions obtained from experts in relation to the incident;

(iii)the results of any tests conducted to determine the cause of the incident;

(iv)maintenance records relating to the apparatus involved in the incident;

(v)any other information that the network operator considers relevant to the investigation of the incident.

25.Requirement not to disturb site of notifiable incident or physical evidence

(1)This regulation applies to and in relation to a network operator if the Director has notified the network operator that an electricity inspector proposes to exercise his or her powers under the Energy Coordination Act 1994 section 14 in relation to the site of a notifiable incident or suspected notifiable incident.

(2)The network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the site of the incident is not disturbed in such a way as to prejudice the examination of the site or physical evidence relating to the incident.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(3)The network operator must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each contractor who may carry out a prescribed activity at or near the site is notified that the site must not be disturbed in such a way as to prejudice the examination of the site or physical evidence relating to the incident.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(4)If a contractor has been notified under subregulation (3), the contractor must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the site of the incident is not disturbed by the contractor, or a person for whom the contractor is responsible, in such a way as to prejudice the examination of the site or the evidence.

Penalty:

(a)for an individual, a fine of $50 000;

(b)for a body corporate, a fine of $250 000.

(5)Subregulations (2) and (4) do not apply if the disturbance is in accordance with an approval of the Director given in relation to the incident.

26.Destructive testing of physical evidence

(1)Regulation 23(3) and (6) do not apply to particular physical evidence, to the extent necessary to allow for destructive testing of the evidence, if —

(a)the network operator believes that destructive testing of the evidence is required; and

(b)the network operator has notified the Director of that belief; and

(c)the Director has not, within 5 working days after the day on which the Director was notified, prohibited the testing.

(2)If a network operator proposes to carry out destructive testing of particular physical evidence to which regulation 23(3) applies, the Director may nominate a person to witness the testing.

(3)The network operator must permit a person nominated under subregulation (2) to witness the testing.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

27.Statistical reporting

The Director may, from time to time, publish statistical information derived from reports and notifications under this Division.

Division 2 — Reporting on network safety performance

28.Terms used

In this Division —

applicable standard, means —

(a)in relation to a pole, overhead conductor or stay wire — AS/NZS 7000 or the equivalent standard or code applicable at the time the pole, conductor or wire was installed;

(b)in relation to a low voltage underground cable — AS/NZS 3000 or the equivalent standard or code applicable at the time the underground cable was installed;

(c)in relation to a high voltage underground cable — AS/NZS 2067 or the equivalent standard or code applicable at the time the underground cable was installed;

AS/NZS 2067 means AS/NZS 2067:2015 Substations and high voltage installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.;

AS/NZS 3000 means AS/NZS 3000:2007 Electrical installations (Wiring Rules);

AS/NZS 7000 means AS/NZS 7000:2010 Overhead line design — Detailed procedures;

conductor means a wire, cable or other form of metal designed to carry an electrical current;

network safety performance incident has the meaning given in regulation 30;

unassisted failure, of a pole, overhead conductor, stay wire or underground cable, means the pole breaking or collapsing, the conductor or wire breaking or the cable failing, otherwise than because of —

(a)a force exceeding the failure limit or design wind load specified in the applicable standard; or

(b)a lightning strike, earthquake, fire or flood; or

(c)malicious damage; or

(d)excavation other than by a person for whom the network operator is responsible; or

(e)any other similar occurrence beyond the control of the network operator.

29.Network operators to whom this Division applies

This Division applies to and in relation to a network operator referred to in regulation 4(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g).

30.Network safety performance incidents

(1)In this Division, network safety performance incident, in relation to a network, means —

(a)a discharge of electricity from the network that causes the electric shock, injury or death of a person or the death of livestock; or

(b)an incident caused by the network, other than a fire, that causes damage to property other than to the network; or

(c)a fire caused by the network that causes damage to property other than to the network; or

(d)a fire, on a wood pole that is a part of the network, that originated on the pole; or

(e)the contacting of 2 or more conductors of the network, of different phases, caused by temperature variations or wind; or

(f)an unassisted failure of a pole that is a part of the network; or

(g)an unassisted failure of an overhead conductor that is a part of the network; or

(h)an unassisted failure of a stay wire that is a part of the network; or

(i)an unassisted failure of an underground cable that is a part of the network.

(2)In this Division, the types of network safety performance incident are —

(a)each type of incident described in subregulation (1)(a) to (1)(c); and

(b)a fire on a wood pole, as described in subregulation (1)(d), according to whether the pole was a part of transmission or distribution works; and

(c)the contacting of conductors, as described in subregulation (1)(e), according to whether the conductors were a part of transmission or distribution works; and

(d)an unassisted failure of a pole according to whether the pole was a part of transmission or distribution works and according to the following categories of material out of which the pole is made — hard wood, soft wood, steel, concrete, aluminium, composite fibre and other; and

(e)an unassisted failure of an overhead conductor according to whether the conductor was a part of transmission or distribution works; and

(f)an unassisted failure of a stay wire according to whether the wire was a part of transmission or distribution works; and

(g)an unassisted failure of an underground cable according to whether the cable was a part of transmission or distribution works.

31.Network operator to publish annual objectives

(1)A network operator must, on or before each 30 November —

(a)give the Director a statement of network safety performance objectives that complies with subregulations (2) to (4); and

(b)publish the statement on a website maintained by the network operator.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(2)The statement must set out, for each type of network safety performance incident, the network operator’s objective in relation to the maximum number of incidents of that type occurring in relation to the network during the financial year in which the 30 November occurs and each of the next 3 financial years.

(3)For unassisted failures of poles, the statement must also set out the network operator’s objectives in terms of maximum rates of failure, according to whether the pole was a part of transmission or distribution works.

(4)The statement must explain how the network operator developed the objectives and demonstrate that the objectives are consistent with the construction and maintenance programme of the operator for each of the years.

(5)The network operator must ensure that the statement remains published on a website maintained by the network operator for 4 years.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(6)For a network operator that is a network operator on the day on which this regulation comes into operation, subregulations (1) and (2) are modified so that the first statement under subregulation (1) must —

(a)be given and published before 1 October 2015; and

(b)cover the financial year commencing on 1 July 2015 and the next 2 financial years.

32.Network operator to publish quarterly outcomes

(1)This regulation applies to each financial year that begins after a network operator is required to give its first statement of network safety performance objectives under regulation 31.

(2)The network operator must, within 40 working days after the end of each quarter in the year —

(a)give the Director a statement of network safety performance outcomes for that quarter that complies with subregulations (3) and (4); and

(b)publish the statement on a website maintained by the network operator.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(3)The statement of network safety performance outcomes must set out, for each type of network safety performance incident —

(a)the network operator’s current objective in relation to the maximum number of incidents of that type for the year, as published under regulation 31; and

(b)the number of incidents of that type that occurred in relation to the network during the quarter; and

(c)the number of incidents of that type that occurred in relation to the network during the period beginning at the start of the year and ending at the end of the quarter.

(4)For unassisted failures of poles, the statement must also set out the matters in subregulation (3) in terms of rates of failure, according to whether the pole was a part of transmission or distribution works.

(5)The network operator must ensure that the statement of network safety performance outcomes —

(a)remains published on a website maintained by the network operator for 4 years; and

(b)is not amended unless the Director approves the proposed amendment.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

33.Director may publish and comment on objectives and outcomes

(1)The Director may publish statements given under regulations 31 and 32 on a website maintained on behalf of the Director.

(2)The Director may publish, along with those statements, the Director’s opinion as to the appropriateness of the objectives and outcomes and the Director’s assessment of the network operator’s network safety performance based on those statements.

Part 4  Review of decisions

34.Decisions to which this Part applies

(1)This Part applies to a decision of the Director —

(a)under regulation 11(5) to refuse to approve a day that is later than the day specified in regulation 11(4)(a) as the implementation day for a network operator; or

(b)under regulation 14(3) to refuse to extend the period for the revision of a network operator’s safety management system; or

(c)under regulation 17(2) to refuse to approve a standard or code; or

(d)under regulation 17(4) to revoke the approval of a standard or code; or

(e)under regulation 24(1)(b) to refuse to extend the period in which to give a report of the investigation of an incident; or

(f)under regulation 32(5)(b) to refuse to approve a proposed amendment to a statement of network safety performance outcomes; or

(g)under regulation 35(5) to refuse to stay or modify the operation of a decision of the Director the subject of a review under this Part.

(2)If the Director makes a decision listed in subregulation (1), the Director must notify the person or each person the subject of the decision or directly affected by it.

35.Application for review

(1)A person aggrieved by a decision to which this Part applies may apply in writing to the Director for a review of the decision.

(2)An application for review is to be made within 10 working days after the day on which the applicant receives notice of the decision.

(3)The Director may, in a particular case, extend the period referred to in subregulation (2).

(4)The Director must give the applicant a reasonable opportunity to make submissions in relation to the review.

(5)The Director may suspend the operation or effect of the decision until the determination of the review.

(6)The Director, after considering submissions (if any) made under subregulation (4) may determine the application by confirming, varying or reversing the decision.

(7)The Director must give written notice of his or her determination and the reasons for it to the applicant.

(8)The Director may publicise his or her determination in the manner the Director thinks fit.

36.Review of determinations of Director under regulation 35

(1)A person aggrieved by a determination of the Director under regulation 35 may —

(a)if a question of law is involved — apply to the State Administrative Tribunal for a review of the decision; or

(b)in any other case — request that a technical review panel review the decision.

(2)A request for review under subregulation (1)(b) must —

(a)be made to the CEO within 30 days after the day on which the person receives written notice of the determination; and

(b)be in writing; and

(c)set out the grounds on which the request is made; and

(d)set out any submissions that the person wishes to make in relation to the review.

(3)If a request for review is made under subregulation (1)(b), the CEO must convene a technical review panel unless satisfied that the request is frivolous or vexatious.

(4)The State Administrative Tribunal or the technical review panel (whichever is relevant) may suspend the operation or effect of the decision until the determination of the review.

(5)If the decision is sent back to the Director under the State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004 section 29(3)(c)(ii) for reconsideration —

(a)the Director must make a new decision, in accordance with any directions or recommendations of the State Administrative Tribunal, within 20 working days after the day on which the Director receives notice of the Tribunal’s determination; and

(b)the new decision is not subject to review under regulation 35; and

(c)the State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004 section 29(4) does not apply in relation to the new decision.

(6)On a review under subregulation (1)(b), the technical review panel may determine the review by confirming, varying or cancelling the decision, and the determination of the panel is final.

(7)If the technical review panel cancels the decision, the Director may make a new decision, in accordance with the panel’s determination, within 20 working days after the day on which the Director receives notice of the panel’s determination, and the new decision is not subject to review under regulation 35.

37.Technical review panels: convening, remuneration and support

(1)If the CEO is required to convene a technical review panel, the CEO must convene a panel of 3 persons who are independent of the particular matter that is the subject of the decision being reviewed.

(2)Each member of a technical review panel is to be paid the remuneration and allowances that the Minister, on the recommendation of the Public Sector Commissioner, determines for that member.

(3)Subregulation (2) does not apply to an employee as defined in the Public Sector Management Act 1994 section 3(1).

(4)The CEO must provide a technical review panel with the support services it may reasonably require.

38.Technical review panels: procedure on review

(1)A technical review panel may inform itself about a relevant matter in any manner it considers appropriate and may determine its own procedure.

(2)A technical review panel must give the Director —

(a)a copy of the request for review; and

(b)a reasonable opportunity to make submissions in relation to the review.

(3)The technical review panel must —

(a)complete the review by making a determination under regulation 36(6) within the period specified by the CEO in writing; and

(b)give written notice of its determination to the Director and the person who requested the review.

39.Technical review panels: costs

(1)If a technical review panel confirms the decision under review, the person who requested the review is liable to pay the reasonable costs of the review.

(2)The CEO may seek an order for the recovery of those costs in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(3)The reasonable costs of a review include —

(a)remuneration and allowances paid to the members of a technical review panel convened for the purposes of the review;

(b)costs of consultants or contractors engaged by the CEO for the purposes of the review, including accommodation costs, travel costs and equipment costs;

(c)photocopying, mailing and similar administrative costs.

Part 5  Miscellaneous

40.Defence for certain network operators

(1)Subregulation (2) applies in relation to the companies listed in regulation 4(2) (that is, the Robe River Joint Venture participants).

(2)If one of the companies is charged with an offence constituted by a breach of an obligation under these regulations (other than regulation 41), it is a defence to prove that another of the companies complied with that obligation.

(3)Subregulation (4) applies in relation to the companies listed in regulation 4(3) (that is, the Newman Joint Venture participants).

(4)If one of the companies is charged with an offence constituted by a breach of an obligation under these regulations (other than regulation 41), it is a defence to prove that another of the companies complied with that obligation.

41.Contact details of network operators

(1)In this regulation —

contact details, of a person who is or is to become a network operator, means, for each network for which the person is or is to become the network operator, one or more of each of the following, a postal address, a telephone number, a facsimile number and an email address, by which the person may be contacted, or given notices or other documents, for operational purposes and for administrative purposes respectively.

(2)A person who is a network operator on the day on which this regulation comes into operation must, within 20 working days after that day, give the Director a notice —

(a)stating that the person is a network operator; and

(b)setting out the transmission or distribution works of which the person is the network operator; and

(c)setting out the person’s ACN (or equivalent) and contact details; and

(d)listing all related bodies corporate.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(3)A person who is to become the network operator of particular transmission or distribution works after the day on which this regulation comes into operation must, at least 30 working days before the day on which the person will become the network operator of those works, give the Director a notice —

(a)stating that the person is to become the network operator of those works; and

(b)setting out the day on which that is to occur; and

(c)setting out the person’s ACN (or equivalent) and contact details; and

(d)listing all related bodies corporate.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(4)A network operator who is to cease to be an operator of particular transmission or distribution works must, at least 30 working days before the day on which the network operator ceases to be the operator of the works, give the Director a notice —

(a)stating that the person will cease to be the operator of the works; and

(b)setting out the day on which that is to occur.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(5)If there is a change in the name or contact details of a network operator, the network operator must, within 10 working days after the day on which the change occurs, give the Director a notice setting out the new name or contact details.

Penalty: a fine of $250 000.

(6)A notice under this regulation must be in a form approved by the Director.

(7)For the purposes of this regulation, a body corporate is related to a person if it is a related body corporate within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) section 9.

Part 6 — Repeal, consequential amendments and transitional provisions

Division 1 — Repeal

42.Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001 repealed

The Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001 are repealed.

Division 2 — Consequential amendments

43.Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 amended

(1)This regulation amends the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991.

(2)In regulation 63(7)(a):

(a)delete “a notifiable” and insert:

 

an

 

(b)delete “Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001 regulation 35(1)(a); and” and insert:

 

Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015 regulation 23(1); and

 

44.Electricity Regulations 1947 amended

(1)This regulation amends the Electricity Regulations 1947.

(2)Delete Schedule 1 Table 4 and insert:

 

Table 4 — Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015 offences

Provision(s)

Description of offence under Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015

Modified penalty

For individual

For body corporate

r. 13(1)

Failure by network operator to have safety management system

 

$50 000

r. 14(1)

Failure by network operator to review and revise safety management system

 

$50 000

r. 14(2)

Failure by network operator to revise safety management system following amendment of AS 5577

 

$50 000

r. 23(6)

Destroying or disposing of physical evidence relating to incident

$5 000

$50 000

r. 24(1)

Failure by network operator to give report, that complies with regulation 24(2), on incident within required time

 

$10 000

r. 24(1)

Failure by network operator to give report on incident within required time

 

$50 000

r. 26(3)

Failure by network operator to permit witnessing of testing

 

$50 000

r. 31(1)

Failure by network operator to give or publish statement of network safety performance objectives

 

$10 000

r. 32(2)

Failure by network operator to give or publish statement of network safety performance outcomes

 

$10 000

r. 41(2)

Failure by network operator to inform Director and give details

 

$5 000

r. 41(3)

Failure by person who is to become network operator to inform Director and give details

 

$5 000

r. 41(4)

Failure by person who is to cease to be network operator to inform Director and give details

 

$5 000

r. 41(5)

Failure by network operator to give notice of change in name or contact details

 

$5 000

 

(3)In Schedule 2 Forms 1 and 2 delete “Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001 r.” and insert:

 

Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015 r.

 

Division 3 — Transitional provisions

45.Terms used

In this Division —

commencement day means the day on which this regulation comes into operation;

repealed regulations means the Electricity (Supply Standards and System Safety) Regulations 2001 as in force immediately before commencement day.

46.Standards and codes

(1)If, immediately before commencement day, a standard or code was a standard or code approved by the Director under regulation 11(1)(c) of the repealed regulations, the standard or code becomes, on commencement day, a standard or code approved by the Director under regulation 17(2).

(2)Subregulation (1) does not prevent the revocation of the approval under regulation 17(4).

(3)If a decision by the Director under regulation 11(2) of the repealed regulations to refuse to approve a standard or code was made within 10 working days before commencement day, the decision has effect for the purposes of regulation 34 as if made under regulation 17(2).

47.Notifiable incidents that occurred before commencement day

Regulation 24 applies in relation to a notifiable incident (as defined in regulation 34 of the repealed regulations) that occurred before commencement day in, on or in connection with a network (as defined in regulation 3(1) of the repealed regulations) if —

(a)the report of the incident under regulation 36 of the repealed regulations was not submitted before commencement day; and

(b)the period for the submission of the report had not expired before commencement day.

 

Schedule 1 — Standards and codes containing evidentiary provisions

[r. 17]

Division 1 — General

Code of Practice, Safe Low Voltage Work Practices by Electricians, issued by the Director in April 2008, as from time to time amended and for the time being in force.

Utility Providers Code of Practice for Western Australia , produced by the Utility Providers Services Committee and applicable from 1 February 2010, as from time to time amended and for the time being in force.

WA Electrical Requirements, published by the Director in January 2014, as from time to time amended and for the time being in force.

AS 1824.1‑1995 Insulation coordination — Definitions, principles and rules.

AS 1824.2‑1985 Insulation coordination (phase‑to‑earth and phase‑to‑phase, above 1 kV) — Application guide.

AS 2676.1‑1992 Guide to the installation, maintenance, testing and replacement of secondary batteries in buildings — Vented cells.

AS 2676.2‑1992 Guide to the installation, maintenance, testing and replacement of secondary batteries in buildings — Sealed cells.

AS 5577‑2013 Electricity network safety management systems.

AS/NZS 3000:2007 Electrical installations (known as the Australia/New Zealand Wiring Rules).

AS/NZS 3013:2005 Electrical installations — Classification of the fire and mechanical performance of wiring system elements.

AS/NZS 3100:2009 Approval and test specification — General requirements for electrical equipment.

AS 3865‑1991 Calculation of the effects of short‑circuit currents.

AS/NZS 3931:1998 Risk analysis of technological systems — Application guide.

AS 4436‑1996 Guide to the selection of insulators in respect of polluted conditions.

AS/NZS 60479.1:2010 Effects of current on human beings and livestock — General aspects.

AS/NZS 60479.2:2002 Effects of current on human beings and livestock — Special aspects.

ENA Doc 008‑2006 National guidelines on electrical safety for emergency service personnel.

ENA Doc 011‑2006 Pole supply and performance specification.

ENA Doc 012‑2006 Cross‑arm supply and performance specification.

ENA Doc 013‑2006 Network passport guideline.

ENA Doc 014‑2006 National low voltage electricity network electrical protection guideline.

ENA Doc 015‑2006 National guidelines for prevention of unauthorised access to electricity infrastructure.

ENA Doc 016‑2006 Guideline for the management of risks when working alone.

Division 2 — Overhead lines

Code of Practice for Personnel Electrical Safety for Vegetation Control Work Near Live Power Lines, issued by the Director in July 2012, as from time to time amended and for the time being in force.

AS/NZS 1768:2007 Lightning protection.

AS 3891.1‑2008 Air navigation — Cables and their supporting structures — Marking and safety requirements — Permanent marking of overhead cables and their supporting structures for other than planned low‑level flying.

AS 3891.2‑2008 Air navigation — Cables and their supporting structures — Marking and safety requirements — Marking of overhead cables for planned low‑level flying.

Division 3 — Switchyards, substations and power stations

AS 1319‑1994 Safety signs for the occupational environment.

AS 62271.1‑2012 High‑voltage switchgear and controlgear — Common specifications.

AS 2865‑2009 Confined spaces.

AS 60076.1‑2005 Power transformers — General.

AS 60076.11‑2006 Power transformers — Dry‑type transformers.

ENA Doc 007‑2006 Specification for polemounting distribution transformers.

Division 4 — Underground cables

AS 2832.1‑2004 Cathodic protection of metals — Pipes and cables.

AS/NZS 2648.1:1995 Underground marking tape — Non‑detectable tape.

Division 5 — Power coordination

AS/NZS 3835.1:2006 Earth potential rise — Protection of telecommunications network users, personnel and plant — Code of practice.

AS/NZS 3835.2:2006 Earth potential rise — Protection of telecommunications network users, personnel and plant — Application guide.

HB 100‑2000 (CJC 4) Coordination of power and telecommunications — Manual for the establishment of safe work practices and the minimisation of operational interference between power systems and paired cable telecommunications systems.

HB 101‑1997 (CJC 5) Coordination of power and telecommunications — Low Frequency Induction (LFI): Code of practice for the mitigation of hazardous voltages induced into telecommunications lines.

HB 102‑1997 (CJC 6) Coordination of power and telecommunications — Low Frequency Induction.

HB 103-1997 (CJC 7) Coordination of power and telecommunications — Crossings Code: The arrangement of overhead power and telecommunications lines, pole stay wires, and suspension wires.

Schedule 2 — Standards and codes containing obligatory provisions

[r. 17]

Division 1 — General

AS 1882‑2002 Earth and bonding clamps.

AS 1931.1‑1996 High‑voltage test techniques — General definitions and test requirements.

AS 2067‑2008 Substations and high voltage installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.

AS 3011.1‑1992 Electrical installations — Secondary batteries installed in buildings — Vented cells.

AS 3011.2‑1992 Electrical installations — Secondary batteries installed in buildings — Sealed cells.

AS 3851‑1991 The calculation of short‑circuit currents in three‑phase a.c. systems.

AS/NZS 3863:2002 Galvanised mild steel wire for armouring cables.

AS 4741‑2010 Testing of connections to low voltage electricity networks.

AS 4836:2011 Safe working on or near low‑voltage electrical installations and equipment.

AS 60529‑2004 Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code).

ENA Doc 025‑2010 EG‑0 Power system earthing guide — Part 1: management principles, version 1.

ENA NENS 03‑2006 National guidelines for safe access to electrical and mechanical apparatus.

ENA NENS 04‑2006 National guidelines for safe approach distances to electrical and mechanical apparatus.

ENA NENS 05‑2006 National fall protection guidelines for the electricity industry.

ENA NENS 07‑2006 National guidelines for manual reclosing of high voltage electrical apparatus following a fault operation (Manual Reclose Guidelines).

ENA NENS 08‑2006 National guidelines for aerial surveillance of overhead electricity networks.

ENA NENS 09‑2006 National guidelines for the selection, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment for electrical hazards.

ENA NENS 10‑2005 National Guidelines for Contractor Occupational Health and Safety Management.

Division 2 — Overhead lines

AS 1222.1‑1992 Steel conductors and stays — Bare overhead — Galvanised (SC/GZ).

AS 1222.2‑1992 Steel conductors and stays — Bare overhead — Aluminium clad (SC/AC).

AS 1531‑1991 Conductors — Bare overhead — Aluminium and aluminium alloy.

AS 1720.1‑2010 Timber structures — Design methods.

AS 1720.2‑2006 Timber structures — Timber properties.

AS 1746‑1991 Conductors — Bare overhead — Hard drawn copper.

AS/NZS 2878:2000 Timber — Classification into strength groups.

AS 3600‑2009 Concrete structures.

AS 3607‑1989 Conductors — Bare overhead, aluminium and aluminium alloy — Steel reinforced.

AS 3818.11‑2009 Timber — Heavy structural products — Visually graded — Utility poles.

AS 3995‑1994 Design of steel lattice towers and masts.

AS/NZS 4065:2010 Concrete utility services poles.

AS 4100‑1998 Steel structures.

AS/NZS 4677:2010 Steel utility services poles.

AS 5804.1‑2010 High‑voltage live working — General.

AS 5804.2‑2010 High‑voltage live working — Glove and barrier work.

AS 5804.3‑2010 High‑voltage live working — Stick work.

AS 5804.4‑2010 High‑voltage live working — Barehand work.

AS 6947‑2009 Crossing of waterways by electricity infrastructure.

AS/NZS 7000:2010 Overhead line design — Detailed procedures.

Division 3 — Underground cables

AS/NZS 1026:2004 Electric cables — Impregnated paper insulated — For working voltages up to and including 19/33 (36) kV.

AS/NZS 1125:2001 Conductors in insulated electric cables and flexible cords.

AS/NZS 1429.1:2006 Electric cables — Polymeric insulated — For working voltages 1.9/3.3 (3.6) kV up to and including 19/33 (36) kV.

AS/NZS 1429.2:2009 Electric cables — Polymeric insulated — For working voltages above 19/33 (36) kV up to and including 87/150 (170) kV.

AS/NZS 3008.1.1:2009 Electrical installations — Selection of cables — Cables for alternating voltages up to and including 0.6/1 kV — Typical Australian installation conditions.

Division 4 — Switchgear and protection

AS 1033.1‑1990 High voltage fuses (for rated voltages exceeding 1000 V) — Expulsion type.

AS 1033.2‑1988 High voltage fuses (for rated voltages exceeding 1000 V) — Current‑limiting (powder‑filled) type.

AS 1307.2‑1996 Surge arresters — Metal‑oxide surge arresters without gaps for a.c. systems.

AS 1767.1‑1999 Insulating liquids — Specification for unused mineral insulating oils for transformers and switchgear.

AS 2024‑1991 High voltage a.c. switchgear and controlgear — Switch‑fuse combinations.

AS 2791‑1996 High‑voltage switchgear and controlgear — Use and handling of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) in high‑voltage switchgear and controlgear.

AS/NZS 3439.1:2002 Low‑voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Type‑tested and partially type‑tested assemblies.

AS/NZS 3439.2:2002 Low‑voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Particular requirements for busbar trunking systems (busways).

AS/NZS 3439.3:2002 Low‑voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Particular requirements for low‑voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies intended to be installed in places where unskilled persons have access for their use — Distribution boards.

AS/NZS 3439.4:2009 Low‑voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Particular requirements for assemblies for construction sites.

AS/NZS 3439.5:2009 Low‑voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Particular requirements for assemblies for power distribution in public networks.

AS 60044.1‑2007 Instrument transformers — Current transformers.

AS 60044.2‑2007 Instrument transformers — Inductive voltage transformers.

AS 60044.3‑2004 Instrument transformers — Combined transformers.

AS 60044.5‑2004 Instrument transformers — Capacitor voltage transformers.

AS/NZS 60137:2008 Insulated bushings for alternating voltages above 1000 V.

AS/NZS 60265.1:2001 High‑voltage switches — Switches for rated voltages above 1 kV and less than 52 kV.

AS 60265.2‑2005 High‑voltage switches — High‑voltage switches for rated voltages of 52 kV and above.

AS/NZS 60269.1:2005 Low‑voltage fuses — General requirements.

AS 60947.1‑2004 Low voltage switchgear and controlgear — General rules.

AS 62271.100‑2008 High‑voltage switchgear and controlgear — High‑voltage alternating‑current circuit‑breakers.

AS 62271.102‑2005 High voltage switchgear and controlgear — Alternating current disconnectors and earthing switches.

AS 62271.110‑2006 High‑voltage switchgear and controlgear — Inductive load switching.

AS 62271.200‑2005 High‑voltage switchgear and controlgear — A.C. metal‑enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV and up to and including 52 kV.

AS 62271.201‑2008 High‑voltage switchgear and controlgear — A.C. insulation‑enclosed switchgear and controlgear for rated voltages above 1 kV and up to and including 52 kV.

AS 62271.202‑2008 High‑voltage switchgear and controlgear — High‑voltage/ low‑voltage prefabricated substation.

AS 62271.203‑2008 High‑voltage switchgear and controlgear — Gas‑insulated metal‑enclosed switchgear for rated voltages above 52 kV.

 

Notes

1This is a compilation of the Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015. The following table contains information about those regulations 1a.

Compilation table

Citation

Gazettal

Commencement

Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015

5 Aug 2015 p. 3141‑96

r. 1 and 2: 5 Aug 2015 (see r. 2(a));
Regulations other than r. 1 and 2: 6 Aug 2015 (see r. 2(b))

1aOn the date as at which this compilation was prepared, provisions referred to in the following table had not come into operation and were therefore not included in this compilation. For the text of the provisions see the endnotes referred to in the table.

Provisions that have not come into operation

Citation

Gazettal

Commencement

Electricity (Network Safety) Amendment Regulations 2017 r. 3‑8 2

1 Aug 2017 p. 4110‑12

1 Nov 2017 (see r. 2(b))

2On the date as at which this compilation was prepared, the Electricity (Network Safety) Amendment Regulations 2017 r. 3‑8 had not come into operation. They read as follows:

 

4.Regulation 3 amended

In regulation 3(4) delete “the prescribed” and insert:

 

a prescribed

 

5.Regulation 4 amended

In regulation 4(1)(h) delete “the Rottnest Island Authority,” and insert:

 

a person referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g),

 

6.Regulation 22 amended

(1)In regulation 22 insert in alphabetical order:

 

contact, in the definition of notifiable incident, includes being close enough for a discharge of electricity to occur;

good work practice means work practice that is accepted as appropriate by the electricity industry;

third party, in relation to making contact with a part of a network, means a person other than —

(a)the network operator; or

(b)a person instructed or authorised by the network operator to do so.

 

(2)In regulation 22 in the definition of notifiable incident delete paragraph (a)(iv) and insert:

 

(iv)causes a fire in or on a part of the network, other than a fire on a pole; or

(v)causes a part of the network to fail in a way that would expose persons in the vicinity to the risk of injury or death (whether or not there was anybody in the vicinity), for example, an explosion; or

(vi)was caused by a third party making contact with a part of the network, if that part of the network did not, at the time of the incident, comply with the design and construction standards applicable to that part at the time of its design and construction; or

(vii)was caused by a failure, while a prescribed activity was being carried out on the network, to follow or apply good work practice in relation to the activity; or

(viii)was caused by contact with exposed metal parts of underground cables that were not insulated but should have been according to good work practice;

 

(3)In regulation 22 in the definition of protective device delete “electricity.” and insert:

 

electricity;

 

7.Regulation 28 amended

(1)In regulation 28 delete the definition of AS/NZS 2067.

(2)In regulation 28 insert in alphabetical order:

 

AS 2067 means AS 2067:2016 Substations and high voltage installations exceeding 1 kV a.c.;

 

(3)In regulation 28 in the definition of applicable standard paragraph (c) delete “AS/NZS” and insert:

 

AS

 

(4)In regulation 28 in the definition of AS/NZS 7000 delete “7000:2010” and insert:

 

7000:2016

 

8.Regulation 30 amended

In regulation 30(1)(d) and (2)(b) delete “wood”.

 

 

 

Defined terms

 

[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]

Defined termProvision(s)

applicable standard28

AS3(1)

AS 55773(1)

AS/NZS3(1)

AS/NZS 206728

AS/NZS 300028

AS/NZS 700028

CEO3(1)

commencement day45

conductor28

contact details41(1)

contractor3(1)

distribution licence3(1)

electricity inspector3(1)

employee3(1)

ENA3(1)

evidentiary provision17(1)

HB3(1)

implementation day, for a network operator,3(1)

integrated regional licence3(1)

investigate9(1)

network3(1)

network operator3(1)

network safety performance incident28, 30(1)

notifiable incident22

obligatory provision17(1)

pole3(1)

prescribed activity3(1)

prior network operator12(1)

protective device 22

quarter3(1)

repealed regulations45

risk to safety9(1)

safety3(1)

safety management system3(1)

subcontractor3(1)

transmission licence3(1)

unassisted failure28

working day3(1)