Making new electricity safety regulations

On 26 November 2019, the Governor-in-Council made the following sets of regulations:

1. Electricity Safety (Management) Regulations 2019 to replace the Electricity Safety (Management Regulations 2009; and
2. Electricity Safety (Cathodic Protection) Regulations 2019 to replace the Electricity Safety (Cathodic Protection) Regulations 2009.

Regulatory Impact Statements (RISs) were not required for either set of regulations, as the total impact of each set of regulations was well below the materiality threshold requiring RISs to be prepared. ESV released issues and then consultation papers for both sets of regulations, which were sent to over 250 stakeholders for comment. These comments, and feedback received during consultation forums in July, helped inform the drafting of the new regulations.

Electricity Safety (Management) Regulations 2019

The Regulations are made under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 (the Act). The Act and regulations enable voluntary electricity safety management schemes (ESMSs) to be submitted to Energy Safe Victoria by:

• employers of electrical workers,
• occupiers of specific premises and
• owners of complex electrical installations.

ESMSs are a non-prescriptive form of regulation that enable relevant entities to improve on the efficiency of their operation without compromising safety standards. The Act also requires that all Major Electricity Companies, which run electricity supply networks, have an accepted ESMS. Click here to read and download the regulations.

Electricity Safety (Cathodic Protection) Regulations 2019

These Regulations are also made under the Act. The Act and regulations together prescribe certain requirements relating to the minimisation of the corrosive effects of stray electrical currents. The Regulations set out the requirements for the registration and operation of cathodic protection systems, which can themselves be a source of stray current.

The major changes

• Small Cathodic Protection Systems (250mA and below) are no longer required to be registered due to the low risk of stray currents affecting other structures,
• Marine vessels that are not permanently moored and fixed offshore structures have been included in the non-prescribed category, and
• The ability to use other means than a time switch to interrupt the power supply for testing purposes has been included.

Click here to read and download the regulations.

Submissions received

Submissions received

The following entities submitted comments and feedback on the proposed new regulations, which are available to download:

• Ausgrid
• AusNet Services
• Citipower & Powercor
• Comdain Infrastructure
• Country Fire Authority (CFA)
• ExxonMobil Australia
• Geoff Cope & Associates
• Global Asset Solutions
• Infoware Consulting
• Jemena
• Jill Porter
• Trades Recognition Australia
• Transport Safety Victoria
• United Energy Distribution

Personal details have been removed (redacted) to protect privacy.

Responses to submissions

Summaries of the issues raised, and ESV’s responses to those issues, can be downloaded here:

1. Response to submissions – Electricity Safety (Management) Regulations 2019
2. Response to submissions – Electricity Safety (Cathodic Protection) Regulations 2019

More information

Refer to our web pages on the Regulations Consultation Papers and Policies and Guidelines relating to these and other regulations.