The Blue Book

The 2022 Blue Book The Code of Practice on electrical safety for work on or near high voltage electrical apparatus The 2022 edition of the Blue Book has now been published. The Electrical Safety Committee (ESC) revised The Blue Book 2017, which was open for public comment until 24 August 2022. Energy Safe Victoria and the ESC has reviewed and collated comments and made changes to the draft version as appropriate. Download The Blue Book 2022 PDF 1.48 MB (opens in a new window) Changes from 2017 to 2022 The Blue Book 2022 - Changes from 2017 to 2022 PDF 151.29 KB (opens in a new window)

About The Blue Book

Part of Energy Safe's role is to ensure high safety standards are maintained for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of electrical installations and electricity supply networks. The ‘Code of Practice on Electrical Safety for Work on or Near High Voltage Electrical Apparatus’ (The Blue Book) is an essential part of that role.

It was originally developed in the 1920s by the former State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SEC). It sets out key safety principles and minimum electrical safety requirements for work on or near high voltage electrical apparatus.

The Blue Book is incorporated into the statutory framework by the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019 (Regulations), which require some classes of workers and asset owners to comply with it.

The Blue Book is maintained by the Electrical Safety Committee (ESC), established under Section 8 of the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005 and is revised and republished every five years to ensure the safety standards for work on or near high voltage electrical apparatus are fit for purpose, reflect industry best practice and are improved where possible..

Owners and operators of the electricity supply networks, high voltage electrical installations and complex electrical installations are required to comply with the Blue Book.

Electrical Safety Committee (ESC)

The objective of the ESC is to review and further develop The Blue Book to facilitate the electrical safety of electrical generation, transmission and distribution systems, the traction supply network, and high voltage electrical installations.

The ESC consists of representatives from various industry sectors including electricity supply companies, traction companies, the Electrical Worker’s Union, electrical contracting services providers, WorkSafe Victoria and the Victorian Customer Electrical Safety Committee (VSESC).

Victorian Customer Electrical Safety Committee (VCESC)

The VCESC (formerly the HV Customer Sub-Committee of the ESC) represents Victorian high voltage customers to support and improve electrical safety in Victoria. VCESC objectives are:

• to make recommendations to Energy Safe and ESC on changes to improve electrical safety
• to provide representatives for the Electrical Safety Committee (ESC)
• to provide a mechanism for customers in industry to raise other identified issues pertaining to electrical hazards, installations and work, and make representation as required.

Contact the VCESC by email at vcesc@energysafe.vic.gov.au.