Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has published the 2022 edition of Victoria’s Code of Practice on Electrical Safety for Work on or Near High Voltage Electrical Apparatus.
Commonly known as the Blue Book, the document provides guidance on electrical industry safety standards for electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems, the tram and train elelctrical supply network and high voltage electrical installations. The document is updated every five years.
ESV consulted with industry, calling for feedback in June 2022, to ensure the new edition reflected current trends.
It can be found on the ESV website at
Owners and operators of electricity supply networks and high voltage electrical installations are required to ensure their employees and contractors are appropriately trained and comply with the Blue Book.
This edition was drafted by the Electrical Safety Committee, made up of electricity and tram and train companies, Electrical Trade Union, National Electrical and Communications Association, WorkSafe and the Victorian Customer Electrical Safety Committee.
ESV CEO Leanne Hughson said comments and suggested amendments were received during the consultation period, many of which were incorporated into the final Blue Book 2022.
“It was important for us to get feedback from industry and other stakeholders to ensure the 2022 edition was relevant to current ways of working,” Ms Hughson said.
Changes from the 2017 edition of the Blue Book include:
- relevant definitions for common industry terms
- updated guidance for entry to enclosures.
- clearer requirements for application of earthing devices
- clear requirements for written and verbal statements of the condition of apparatus or plant (SCAP).
Go to to download a copy of the Blue Book 2022 and a summary of the changes in a document entitled Changes from 2017 to 2022.
For specific comments regarding the Blue Book, please contact Loc Vuong, ESV’s Senior Network Safety Engineer, Electrical Network Infrastructure at loc.vuong@energysafe.vic.gov.au.
Media contact: Adrian Bernecich 0437 729 194
adrian.bernecich@energysafe.vic.gov.au
Reviewed 16 March 2023