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BESS RESPONSE GUIDE

Electrical Incident / Arc Flash

STOP · ISOLATE · ASSIST

In immediate danger?Move to safety. Raise the alarm. Call Triple Zero.CALL 000
01
DO THIS NOW

Immediate actions

  1. 1

    Stop and keep clear of arcing, damaged equipment and possible live parts.

  2. 2

    Raise the alarm and notify the Control Room.

  3. 3

    Do not touch a casualty, vehicle or equipment until the electrical supply is confirmed safe.

  4. 4

    Isolate only if you are trained, authorised and able to do so without entering the danger area.

  5. 5

    Call Triple Zero (000). When the area is safe, apply DRSABCD and use the AED as trained.

  6. 6

    Barricade the area and report the equipment ID, voltage and observed condition.

02
RECOGNISE

Signs and triggers

  • Flash, bang, arcing, smoke or electrical odour
  • Exposed conductors, damaged cables or electrical equipment
  • Electric shock, burns, collapse or abnormal breathing
  • Protection trip, earth-fault indication or equipment alarm
!
DO NOT

Actions that increase the risk

  • Do not touch the casualty or equipment while an electrical hazard may remain.
  • Do not approach possible live conductors or arc-flash damage.
  • Do not reset protection or re-energise equipment.
  • Do not rely on a control indication alone as proof of isolation.
  • Do not disturb the scene unless needed to prevent further harm.
03
SUPPORTING RESPONSE

Role-based actions

Person discovering the incident

  • Keep yourself and others outside the hazard area.
  • Call for authorised isolation and emergency assistance.

Authorised electrical person

  • Follow the approved isolation, test-for-dead and access procedure.
  • Communicate when the area is electrically safe for rescuers; record switching and protection status.

First aider / incident controller

  • Begin first aid only after the danger is controlled.
  • Arrange medical assessment for any electric shock and manage responder access.
04
EMERGENCY-SERVICES HANDOVER

Information to provide

  • Exact equipment, container, circuit or work location
  • Known voltage and whether arcing, fire or smoke occurred
  • Casualty condition and first aid already provided
  • Isolation, lockout and test-for-dead status
  • Protection trips, alarms and switching performed
  • Safe approach route and any stored-energy hazards
05
WHEN THE IMMEDIATE DANGER HAS PASSED

Recovery and reporting

  • Maintain isolation and exclusion controls until formally released.
  • Ensure every person who received an electric shock receives medical assessment under the site procedure.
  • Quarantine affected equipment and do not reset protection.
  • Preserve switching records, alarms, photos and witness accounts.
  • Investigate and authorise return to service through the approved process.

Approved reference sources

This draft must be checked against the site emergency plan, OEM procedures, SDS, local law and emergency-service direction.

Safe Work Australia — Emergency plans and proceduresSafeWork NSW — Managing electrical risks in the workplaceANZCOR — Guideline 8: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
EmergencyCall 000