Are you a sparky thinking of doing electrical work with the power still on? Here's why it's not a 'she'll be right' matter

Every sparky knows the drill. We've all seen those jobs where cutting the power feels like a hassle, where the thought, "Can I just quickly nip this without turning everything off?" crosses your mind. It's easy to fall into that trap, to think, "She'll be right."

But when it comes to electricity, it’s not a “she’ll be right” matter. We need to ditch that mentality, because in this line of work, it's a phrase that can lead to severe consequences.

Let's be blunt. Working on or even near energised electrical equipment is the leading cause of burns, electric shocks, serious accidents, and even fatalities for electricians. Live work is no joke. Every single person entering the electrical trade, from day one of their apprenticeship, needs to understand how crucial this is. You’re dealing with immense power, and time constraints are hardly reason to ignore that.

Back in November 2017, significant changes were made to the electrical regulations. These updates made it explicitly clear: electrical work is not permitted on or near an exposed energised part of an electrical installation if that part can be de-energised. This isn't just a guideline; it's a strict requirement designed to protect us. If you can switch it off, you must switch it off. These rules aren’t there for show — they’re there to save your life.

And what other moments that your life depends on are you saying ‘she’ll be right’ anyway? You wouldn’t drive without a seatbelt and say ‘she’ll be right’. You wouldn’t cross a busy road and say ‘she’ll be right’. So, why would you say it before working live, which is as risky of a task?

Plus, it’s not just you that impacts. In a premises with an electricity supply – whether they're customers, colleagues, or even just passing by – is potentially at risk if proper safety protocols aren't followed. Our actions have wider implications.

So, before anyone considers taking that shortcut, remember the risks involved. That 'she'll be right' moment could lead to severe injury, a life-altering incident, or worse. Prioritising safety isn't just about following rules; it's about looking out for ourselves, our mates, and everyone around us. Let's make sure we all get home safe, every single day.