Electricity is potentially quite hazardous if proper care is not taken. In addition to being a direct cause of fatality and serious injury, it can serve as a trigger for a chain reaction causing many more injuries and deaths. Exposure to electrical current can result in burns as well as shocks which can result in temporary paralysis or involuntary muscle contractions.

Follow these general safety precautions:

• use the correct appliance for the specific task
• ensure that electrical appliances are dry and clean
• do not use general purpose electrical appliances when wet or in wet areas without suitable safety switches (always push-button test the residual current device before each use)
• keep loose cables off the floor
• do not withdraw a plug from a socket by pulling the cable
• do not attempt to replace faulty lamps in light fittings
• do not connect power boards to electrical outlets
• extension cables should only be used as temporary tool
• avoid the use of extension cables along walkways and corridors
• electric bar heaters should not be used - fan heaters with thermostats and timers are recommended

References
The Electricity Act 1945 establishes the general safety responsibilities associated with generation, transmission, distribution and use of electricity. It includes information on accident reporting.

Other legislation includes The Electricity (equipment Safety) Regulation and The Electricity (Installation Safety) Regulation. A number of codes of practice and standards exist. These are all listed in an Australia Standards handbook HB94-1997 Electrical Safety in the Workplace. This handbook is an excellent overview of electrical hazards and of ways of reducing the risk of electric shock.