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.
Electrical Incidents and Near Misses
NSW – Essential Energy reports 3 incidents within customer owned HV networks. Authorised operators were used for the HV switching but no testing to prove de-energised before earths/shorts were applied resulting in unplanned outages.
NSW Mine – Cables hung from roof above a travel road were hit and damaged including 2 x 6.6 kV and an 1kV cable. The 6.6 kV cable protection was incorrectly set.
NSW Mine – Contractor received an electric shock while cleaning circuit breaker spouts. The voltage was due to capacitive coupling along an XLPE cable 2.5 kms long.
NSW Mine – 1kV switchgear within a decline 110 kW fan starter enclosure caught fire while being ‘pulsed’.
NSW Mine – water ingress corroded an electrical connector that combusted due to excessive heat generated by the poor connection when a worker was refilling a water cart
QLD – Falls from heights incidents
QLD – A worker assisting an electrical contractor received an electric shock from exposed energised cabling under a premise in a ‘crawl’ space.
QLD 2022 Incident – Electrician electrocuted while working on a faulty ducted air-conditioner situated in the small roof space of a home
QLD Coal Mines Periodical August 2024 – detailed incidents relating to cable damage, shocks from static electricity
SA – Two workers had their work licenses suspended when a mobile crane contacted 11 kV powerline and another when suspended for erecting scaffolding within a metre of 11kV powerline and less than 300mm from a LV powerline. Another 11 incidents reported to SA Safework this year.
Safe Work Australia – report on incidents for electricians: this includes the death of 44 electricians over the last decade.
USA – Electrical contractor electrocuted in an accident on MSU campus
USA – Miner was electrocuted while performing rigging duties when the crane boom contacted an overhead high-voltage powerline. He was unloading a roll of belt from a trailer
WA – 25 July 2024: electrocution while tree lopping near overhead HV power lines
Prosecutions and Inquests
NZ – Home detention for electrical worker and $114K reparation following the ‘livening up’ of an range hood that resulted in the electrocution of another electrical contractor 20 days later.
QLD – May 2024 disciplinary action against 8 license holders
QLD – June 2024 disciplinary actions against 5 license holders
QLD – July 2024: disciplinary action against 7 license holders
VIC – Solar installer fined $40k for ignoring fall risk
WA – Two Perth companies and three individuals have been fined almost $40k for an electrical license-sharing arrangement involving solar installations at 25 properties
WA – An electrical worker has been fined $3k and $553.80 in costs for failing to effectively supervise an apprentice. The electrical contractor was previously fined $12k for not immediately reporting the electrical incident. The apprentice received a shock when touching live wires while disconnecting cables in the ceiling space.
WA – Electrical contractors convicted and fined $40K relating to installations where a switchboard enclosure was not earthed and the MEN connection was not installed. They also submitted the mandatory paperwork to say the installation was compliant.