Electrical safety checklist for farms and packhouses

Leads, boards and outlets

• Cuts, abrasions, crushing, melted spots or exposed conductors along the full lead
• Plugs and sockets: cracks, bent or discoloured pins, signs of heat or arcing
• Cord grips intact — no conductors visible where the cord enters the plug or appliance
• Taped joins, moulded-plug repairs or improvised adaptors (all reasons to withdraw an item)
• Power boards daisy-chained together, overloaded, or sitting on wet ground
• Leads run through doorways, across traffic paths, under pallets or through standing water
• Leads suspended from hooks rather than laid across walkways where practical

Workshop and portable tools

• Guards fitted and undamaged; casings not cracked or missing screws
• Switches operating positively — no jammed, taped or bypassed triggers
• Air vents clear of dust and chaff; tools not overheating in use
• Battery chargers not covered, not in direct sun, ventilation clear
• Tags present and legible; equipment with unreadable or missing tags flagged for testing

Packing lines, cool rooms and wash-down areas

• Any plug-in equipment in wash-down zones rated and positioned for the conditions
• Outlets and boards kept clear of hose spray and condensation
• Leads to portable fans, lamps and vacuum units checked at every changeover
• Portable equipment brought in by contractors carrying current tags before use

Sheds, pump sites and outdoor areas

• Equipment stored where rodents, moisture and machinery cannot damage leads
• Portable generators and equipment set up per manufacturer instructions, never indoors
• Weather covers on outdoor outlets intact and closing properly
• Anything showing signs of water ingress withdrawn until assessed

Offices, crib rooms and accommodation

• Kettles, urns, microwaves, toasters and heaters inspected and tagged
• Heaters clear of curtains, bedding and paper; no lead running under carpet or rugs
• Behind-desk clusters not overloaded; boards not stacked on the floor under foot
• Personal appliances brought in by workers included in your scope, or clearly prohibited

Records and follow-up

Walk-arounds only pay off if what you find gets closed out. Keep it simple:

• One place to log the item, the fault and the date
• A named owner for each action and a realistic due date
• Faulty items physically separated, not just noted
• An up-to-date equipment register so you know what exists and where
• A next-check plan that reflects your environment and use, not a number copied from elsewhere

When to call a licensed electrician

Any fixed wiring or switchboard concern, tripping circuits, burning smells, warm outlets, damaged installation equipment, or anything requiring repair, alteration or a Certificate of Electrical Safety. Licensing boundaries are set out by Energy Safe Victoria, and general workplace electrical safety duties by WorkSafe Victoria.

When a different competent person is required

Some inspections are task-specific and need someone competent for that exact item — lifting accessories, harnesses, elevating work platforms and major plant among them, as Safe Work Australia's plant guidance makes clear. Emergency lighting and certain fire measures fall under essential safety measures administered by the Victorian Building and Plumbing Commission. Links are factual references, not endorsements.

Our inspections and competency page shows what we deliver now and what we refer on. For plug-in equipment, test and tag is where to start.