If you’re using electricity at your event, you must be aware of your responsibilities to keep everyone involved safe at all times.
Electrical legislation
You must comply with the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and Electrical Safety Regulation 2013, which apply to electrical equipment.
Safety measures include:
- having all electrical equipment, including extension leads, tagged and tested in line with AS/NZS 3760:2010 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment
- tagging extension leads with the owner’s name
- ensuring portable electrical equipment is double-insulated or earth-leakage protected
- placing flexible and extension leads where they won’t be damaged (including by liquid), pose a trip hazard or obstruct safe access to the area. Also by keeping the ground clear of moisture (e.g. rain) and covering with adhesive duct tape or ground mats
- not using piggy back plugs or double adaptors, and using power boards only when more than one electrical device is in use.
You should connect portable residual current devices, i.e. portable safety switches, into the main power supply as a safety precaution, in addition to the residual current devices installed at the main power outlet.
Contact the Queensland Government’s Electrical Safety Office for more information on electrical testing and tagging.
Using Council-controlled electrical facilities
Some Council parks and facilities have power for event use. To use these facilities you need to apply to Council and pay a connection fee where applicable. To find out if a venue has access to power, contact Council’s Community Events Team via phone (07) 3829 8999 or email events@redland.qld.gov.au.
Powerlines
If your event location is close to overhead powerlines, you need to follow additional safety measures, such as exclusion zones. For information and resources visit Energex’s safety pages.
Generators
If existing electrical facilities are not sufficient for your event, you may need to use generators. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as incorrect generator use can cause poisoning from toxic engine exhaust, electric shock, electrocution, fire and contact with hot surfaces.
Address the following in your risk assessment:
- location of generators: use outdoors and only in dry weather, maintain at least 1m spacing on all sides and prevent access by the general public e.g. barriers
- fuel storage: store fuel in labelled containers away from any fuel burning appliance
- hot generator refuelling: never add fuel while generator is running – wait for the motor to cool
- electrical hazards: ensure hands are dry before touching the generator and don’t allow the generator to get wet
- fire hazards: ensure suitable fire extinguishers are immediately accessible
- potential noise nuisance.