The following electrical incidents 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
Bluescope – Electrical Incidents Key Learnings #28
A sub-contractor’s second year apprentice shocked while working from a safety step installing cable ties on an overhead cable tray
An in-service and energised 240-volt AC cable was disconnected during removal of redundant equipment.
SHOCK RECEIVED AFTER ISOLATION (stored voltage in capacitors)
Installation defects identified during recent maintenance and compliance inspections at two separate locations
Electric welder audit found some with no VRD test stickers attached
Energisation before construction is completed and Handover commissioning flowchart
Bluescope – Electrical Incidents Key Learnings #29
Electrician called to fault find on an electrical outlet found the switchboard cell was fed from contained water condensation
Contractors inspecting a distribution board for replacement identified an unexpected secondary supply cable to three of the eight fuses inside
Urgent job change and poor communication about isolation status contributed to a second-year apprentice being left unsupervised with potential to access energised equipment
Civil contractor cut through a conduit on a fence that was thought to be part of a redundant 240-Volt lighting circuit
Non-rechargeable lithium battery explodes in rechargeable dock
NSW Mines
Fire caused by 415 volt cable to a tele-remote barrier
Internal electrical failure of the 1,000V fan starter main switch during energisation, resulted in sustained electrical arcing within the enclosed starter
LV Arcing Event Video and notice of incident
Resource Regulator Quarterly Business Activities Report Apr-June 2026
Resource Regulator Quarterly Safety Report Apr-June 2026
SA
58th Regulation Roundup – Electric shock incident list (page 10)
PROSECUTIONS
QLD
April-June 2026: Electrical Licensing – 34 Disciplinary Actions
VIC
AusNet facing 22 charges over alleged failures to manage low-hanging transmission line risks
Company fined $30,000 and ordered to pay court costs of $4,442 for failing to control the risk of serious injury or death to an employee. The risk was a fall from the back, short side of the Elevating Work Platform (EWP) from a height of approximately 7 metres.
Electrical inspector fined $5k for falsely certifying home battery installs
Solar company fined $100k for repeated falls from heights offences
Solar Company fined $30k and costs of $3,912 for 5 of 6 workers on a roof were apprentices without adequate fall protection.
WA
Electrical work in Goldfields – $43k fine: incorrect earthing on meterbox
Electrical worker fined $3,500 and $571 costs after unsupervised apprentice receives shock
Perth electrical contractor fined $20k and an electrician $5k after an incorrectly wired home battery storage system put workers at risk of electric shock
Perth company ordered to pay more than $23,000 in fines and costs for false declaration of apprentice experience
Perth electrician fined $4.5k for working without an electrical contractor licence
Western Power fined $35k for inadequate pole inspection prior to reported electric shock
Unenclosed joint and exposed wiring on a lighting circuit in the roof space cost company $35k