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
QLD – A young worker receives electric shock from exposed energised cable in a crawl space under a house while assisting with the installation of new wiring.
WA – Maida Vale worker electrocuted while conducting tree lopping near overhead HV powerlines
USA – A bushfire started 29 July burning out more than 5,000 acres of mostly rugged terrain and at least 24 structures including homes and businesses in Riverside County. Some 1,000 firefighters worked to contain the fire. The origin of the fire appears to have been a faulty switchboard.
Prosecutions and Inquests
WA – Electrician fined $15k for failing to earth a din kit that may have caused protective devices to not operate under fault conditions.
WA – Western Power fined $40k after pleading guilty for failing to develop, implement and maintain adequate work practices that allowed a Manning resident to receive an electric shock
