New Requirement To Turn Off Power Before Accessing Ceiling Space

Changes to roof access will affect all trades from 1 January 2025. The implementation of the changes started on 23 September 2024. 

The Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2024 (ESOLA Regulation) has implemented further recommendations from the Review of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002.  

Workers who are required to work in ceiling spaces will be required to de-energise (the power is turned off) electrical installations. The type of work may include plumbing, pest control, insulation activities, gas fitting, roofing and ceiling repair, and electrical work (including air-conditioning installation). This can be done by turning off the main power switch in the meter box and/or switch board to the premises. You don't need to be an electrician in order to turn the power off. 

Turning off electricity to the property at the main switchboard doesn’t turn off the electricity supply from the street to the switchboard. This means the incoming overhead service lines and the cables supplying the switchboard will still be live. 

You must take extreme care not to touch any of these live overhead electrical lines or supply cables. An exclusion zones is always recommended, generally 3 metres. 

This requirement will apply to Class 1, 2, and 10a building which includes houses, duplexes, apartments, town houses, row houses, garages, sheds, guest houses, small hostels, and boarding houses.  

The new requirement will apply to any situation, where any part of your body enters the roof space (including just your hand or moving through the roof space to access the roof). Make sure you notify someone of where you will be in the ceiling space and check in with them during and after the work.  

The term “prescribed circumstance” is where it is not reasonably practicable to carry out the work or entry while the electrical installation is de-energised, such as a solar panel supply cable running through the roof. Or if you need the power on in order to test, service, or commission an appliance or fitting, being something other than electrical equipment. 

Where prescribed circumstances apply, you must comply with additional safety requirements such as: conducting and recording a risk assessment and statement for the work or entry, and ensuring that the work and or entry complies with the statement. SWMS (Safe work method statements) should be completed for the initial work. 

Penalties will apply with on-the-spot fines from 1 July 2025 to persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and workers who fail to comply with these new requirements. Fines for individuals will range from $144 - $720 and for businesses $720 - $3600. 

The Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has put together a webinar discussing this change and other recommendations from the ESOLA Regulation.

Click here to watch that webinar.