Before Anything Gets Fixed, the Site Has to Be Safe In the chaos that follows a fire, flood, storm, or major electrical fault, it’s easy to think the most important job is getting the power back on. But before that happens, one step always comes first: power isolation. It’s not just procedure — it’s protection. At Make Safe Oz, we specialise in fast, compliant electrical isolations for residential and commercial sites affected by disaster. This blog explains why power isolation matters, when it should be done, and what’s involved in getting it right. What Is Electrical Isolation? Electrical isolation means cutting power to all or part of a property in a way that ensures no energy can accidentally re-enter circuits or cause harm. It may involve: Switching off the main breaker Tagging and locking out access to the board Disconnecting from the street supply (if required) Removing meter fuses or isolating solar input This protects trades, insurers, homeowners, and emergency services during inspection and repair. When Is Isolation Needed? There are several situations where immediate isolation is required: Fire Damage: Burned wiring, melted conduits, or heat-compromised switchboards Flooding: Waterlogged systems, especially in walls or under flooring Storm Impact: Lightning strikes, overhead line damage, or roof leaks into electrical zones Rebuilds & Demolitions: To make a site safe for construction or teardown Insurance Inspections: So assessors can safely inspect the site In these cases, failing to isolate power can put lives at risk — not just of trades, but residents returning to their homes. Who Is Responsible for Isolating Power? It’s a common misconception that this is the job of the energy distributor or a general tradesperson. In fact, only licensed electricians can perform compliant electrical isolations. Make Safe Oz provides in-house sparkies who: Are licensed for LV and HV isolations Carry lockout equipment and signage Provide Certificates of Isolation where needed Document and photograph everything for compliance We don’t rely on subcontractors. We do it ourselves — fast and by the book. What Happens After Isolation? Once the site is safe, the following work can take place: Switchboard removal or repairs Flood-damaged cabling removal Temporary power supply installation Structural repairs by builders Safe re-energisation of circuits Isolation is the green light that makes every other trade’s work safe and possible. Don’t Take Chances — Isolate First Whether you're a homeowner, insurance assessor, or builder, the message is the same: don’t touch anything until it’s been safely isolated. Even small amounts of residual voltage can cause injury or further damage.