The following electrical incidents, including electrical fires and prosecutions are but a sample of those occurring across Australia and beyond that we have been made aware of since our last newsletter.
Employers and workers are encouraged to ensure all legal requirements and controls are in place when carrying out work to prevent heartache, loss of production, fines, imprisonment, etc. Our sympathies go out to those that have lost loved ones.
Electrical Incidents, Fires and Near Misses
NSW industrial minerals – apprentice received an electric shock even though the circuit was locked out/tagged out due to a second source of supply. Drawings were not up to date.
NSW U/G Metalliferous Mine – electrical apprentice received an electric shock while performing maintenance in a switchboard.
NSW U/G coal mine – electrician received an electric shock and tripped the RCD while replacing charged batteries.
NSW U/G coal mine – worker received an electric shock when making contact with exposed live LV cable.
NSW mine– electrical apprentice fault finding an electrical pressure sensors on a CAT 775G service truck. The apprentice unscrewed the charge valve resulting in forcible ejection of the valve and strut contents.
NSW open cut mine – worker suffered a heart attack when supervising electrical repairs on an elevated gantry.
NSW U/G metal mine – boilermaker using a MIG received an electric shock while leaning on a metallic screen.
NSW U/G mines – series of collisions between mobile plant and 11 kV power cables endangers lives.
SA – Adelaide company fined $140k after an excavator brought down overhead LV powerlines and causing damage in two neighbouring properties.
SA Regulation Roundup 55 – 14 incidents including incidents involving a fence post auger, streetlight, light switch, electric bed, ‘live’ concrete adjacent to pool, PV array inverter, meter box, etc.
TAS – electrical inspectors find outer cases of some hot water cylinders are not suitable earthed.
VIC – excavator struck overhead powerlines in Gembrook: operator appears to have suffered a medical episode.
VIC – EnergySafe Victoria ordered 5 solar farms to cease generating until they mow grass due to bushfire concerns.
USA – final report: 64 year old electrician received arc flash burns and died from his injuries.
USA – battery facility in California catches fire.
Prosecutions and Inquests
QLD Disciplinary Actions Feb 25 – 2 unlicenced contractors and construction work too near overhead lines.
QLD – 1,000 volt trailing cable damage by dozer
REDENERGY fined $474.6K for failing to adequately identify and assist customers struggling to pay their energy bills. DODO has been fined $406.8k for similar breaches of the rules.
WA contractor fined for 15 offences for failing to submit notices of completion.
Western Power fined $220,000 – reverse polarity in electricity meter by contractor that wasn’t acted on.
WA – Business fined $6k for not providing information as part of an electrical compliance investigation.
WA – electrician fined $4k for failing to install an MEN.
WA – electrical contractor fined $5k plus $770 in costs because a second year apprentice received an electric shock while working with another apprentice and a provisional licence holder. The apprentice was installing exit lights and jumped from the ladder upon receiving the shock.
