The purpose of the Life Saving Rules is to provide a consistent framework of safety rules that if followed are intended to protect employees from high consequence hazards that are commonly encountered in the electrical industry.
The Life Saving Rules are applied in conjunction with all relevant laws, company policies, procedures, House Rules, Industry Standards, Fair Play/HR and any other processes, procedures and work instructions that are applicable to the workplace.
The Life Saving Rules are a set of non-negotiable rules set by an Employer designed to provide a consistent framework. The Life Saving Rules have been designed to focus on high risk activities, routinely performed in normal operations. The Life Saving Rules provide a clear message of what acceptable behaviour is and what is not.
The Rules:
- I will implement a “No Live Work” policy and this will include “Lock Out and Tag Out ” of all energy sources
- I will always “Test Before I Touch” and confirm proposed touch point is DEAD
- I will never remove another person’s danger tag without written management authorisation
- I will always undertake verification tests of completed electrical work before energisation
- I will never disable or override a safety device without written management authorisation
- I will never work on or with asbestos without authorisation
- I will always use the applicable fall prevention equipment where there is a risk of falling more than 2 metres
- Ill always obtain authorisation before entering a confined space
- I will only use the correct tools and equipment for the job it was intended and within its set safety limits
- I will never begin a skilled task, or operate equipment and machinery unless trained to do so
Any breach of a Life Saving Rule is considered serious. If a breach is discovered or reported the following should take place:
- A ‘Stop Work’ will be issued at the site of the breach
- ‘Make Safe’ the area in which the breach occurred
- Report the incident in line with Employers Incident Reporting Procedure
- Investigate the incident in line with Employers Investigations procedure
- Investigate behaviours of employees and their managers in line with the fair play model
- Call a ‘Stop Work Meeting’ with all relevant employees to discuss the details of the breach to consult on appropriate solutions to prevent re-occurrence.
- Following the investigation determine if any identified work behaviours require any changes to work process, safety documentation, staff re-training or requires formal disciplinary action
