ARTICLE · 11 FEBRUARY 2014

Avoid risk of shock now that Queensland electrical safety reforms take effect

Clayton Utz

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Officers of corporations in Queensland have new electrical safety due diligence obligations and must show compliance.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Fiona Austin

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Key Points:

From 1 January 2014 officers of corporations in Queensland have new electrical safety due diligence obligations, and businesses must be able to demonstrate compliance.

The Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Qld) has long required the control of electrical risks in most Queensland workplaces¹ and imposed criminal sanctions for breach. However from 1 January 2014 it has been amended to match the harmonised general work health and safety laws. It has also been supplemented by the new Electrical Safety Regulation 2013. There are some subtle and not-so-subtle changes that you should be aware of.

Officers' due diligence for electrical risk

For the first time in Queensland, officers of corporations have positive due diligence obligations for electrical risk.

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