04:56 pm, Monday 20 May, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Australia

Master Electricians Australia has called on The Western Australian Government to take illegal electrical work seriously, and to direct more inspection resources to discourage unsafe do-it-yourself electrical works in homes.

MEA urges the Government to do the following actions:

• Conduct major media campaign by highlighting electrical safety and the dangers of unlicensed electrical work
• Increase safety switch protection to all circuits
• Require mandatory point-of-sale signage to use licensed electrical contractors for electrical installations and equipments
• Mandate electrical safety inspections when homes change hands
• Establish an electrical safety hotline for unsafe and unlicensed work to be reported.

Master Electricians Australia state manager, Anthony Mancini said the Government should channel their resources into further educating the WA public on the perils of illegal electrical work.

“Rather than spending all of their time checking and double checking the work of licensed contractors who are submitting the appropriate paper work and abiding by electrical regulations, they should be alerting the public to the dangers of DIY or illegal work and following up on reported instances,” said Mr Mancini.

“This can be achieved through a number of simple tactics such as a media campaign highlighting electrical safety.

“There needs to be continued education of the WA public into the values of a Safety Certificate being received for any electrical work that has been undertaken on their homes.

“Safety switches should be installed on all circuits to prevent the risk of an electric shock should an electrical incident occur.

“With growing public awareness, WA can greatly reduce the risk of an electrical safety incident. We should be aiming for zero electrical accidents, fatalities or fires in the state.”

He also emphasized the importance of conducting a review and re-allocation of the current inspection resources.

“The State Government seems to focus their inspection resources on new homes wired by licensed electrical contractors and existing installations where contractors had submitted notices for their work,” he said.

“We need to look out of the box and focus on high risk areas such as DIY electrical work where no notices are submitted.

“We urge the WA Government to put forth a requirement for mandatory signage in stores selling electrical equipment that a licensed electrical contractor must be used for any electrical installations.

“Under current legislation two safety switches are required in WA homes but internal checks are not mandatory. Creating a mandatory home point-of-sale electrical check by an electrical contractor would ensure no illegal wiring exists in the home.

“Safety checks into unapproved fittings would also ensure electrical compliance and prevent fires and the risk of an electric shock.

“Lastly, we ask that an electrical safety hotline with a dedicated advertised number be established where illegal wiring or electrical work can be reported and immediate advice and necessary steps can be taken to prevent a serious electrical safety injury.”

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

03:33 pm, Monday 13 May, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

Master Electricians Australia has called on the Victorian Government to order the immediate legislation of safety switches as mandatory in all Victorian homes to avoid accidents.

MEA Australia VIC state manager Carl Rankin said now is the best time for Victoria to act against electrical fatalities and injuries.

“We’ve seen a shocking spate of severe electrical safety incidents in New South Wales of late where electricians suffered electric shocks resulting in serious injuries, burns or death,” said Mr Rankin.

“This follows the 2009 death of three tradespeople in Queensland who were installing foil insulation under the federal government’s Home Insulation Program (HIP), not to mention numerous other close calls for electricians who have narrowly avoided losing their lives to a lapse in electrical safety.

“Although electricians are more at risk due to the nature of their work, the dangers of electrical safety incidents also apply to home owners, who do not fully understand the dangers of carrying out their own electrical work around their homes.

“Our research shows around 15 people are killed and 300 hospitalised every year as a result of injuries from electric shocks at home – accidents that could be easily prevented by taking the necessary safety precautions such as having a safety switch installed.

“Victoria has a chance now to learn from the past mistakes of our neighbours and take action before the horse has bolted. A safety switch can prevent an electric shock by cutting the flow of current in a few hundredths of a second, faster than the critical phase of a heartbeat.

“We urge the Victorian Government to take immediate action and legislate for the mandatory fitting of safety switches in all safety switch capable sub-circuits in all Victorian homes.”

A research conducted by the Master Electricians Australia found that while about 60 percent of Australian homes have at least one safety switch, this did not represent total protection for the home owners or tradespeople who may need to access the roof space.

“This prompts the questions as to why, with the overwhelming evidence on the effectiveness of these life saving devices, government has not legislated to make the fitting of safety switches on all capable circuits compulsory in all Australian homes.

“There is absolutely no excuse for complacency regarding electrical related injuries and fatalities when the solution is known. We urge the Victorian Government to take action quickly before lives are unnecessarily lost,” he said.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

08:05 pm, Monday 25 February, 2013

Photo: SafetyCulture
Library

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) issues a warning today reminding everyone that electrical apprentices should never undertake live electrical work nor work without suitable supervision.

The warning was issued following two incidents in the ACT where apprentices suffered electrical shocks while working unsupervised on metal ladders.

NECA is involved in training of more than 2000 electrical and communications apprentices across Australia.

“Regardless of whether they are supervised or not under no circumstance should apprentices carry out live work,” said NECA’s Chief Executive Officer James Tinslay.

“The only people who can carry out electrical work unsupervised are fully licensed electricians. Undertaking live electrical work is a serious decision taken when there are no other options and usually in the interests of personal safety or other high level risks to disconnection supply.”

Mr Tinslay also said it is legal requirement for apprentices to properly supervise apprentices.

“All electrical apprentices are under a contract of training which usually has four-year duration. During this time they need, by law, supervision which will vary depending on the experience and skills of the apprentice,” said Mr Tinslay.

“Employers owe all employees a duty of care and those in training such as apprentices must be supervised as part of their training.”

The ACT’s Work Safety Commissioner is conducting an investigation into the two incidents and is considering referring the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions which could mean severe penalties for the companies involved.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

06:43 pm, Tuesday 18 September, 2012

Photo: SafetyCulture Library

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has recently introduced a bill to state parliament to amend the Electrical Safety Act 2002.

A report from AAP says the government will abolish the electrical safety commissioner, safety education committee and the equipment committee.

An elected chairman will replace the commissioner and advisory committees will replace permanent committees which will meet when the need arises, instead than meeting to comply a statutory number of meetings.

Safety inspectors who were tasked to make sure that workers, employers and the public comply with laws will also be abolished.

The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) expressed their concern on the cuts saying that doing this will put more people at risk of being electrocuted.

ETU Deputy Secretary Keith McKenzie says any cuts will increase risk of deaths from electrocutions.

“If inspectors aren’t out there, the government will be exposed to an inevitable increase in health and safety-related work stoppages, injuries and deaths,” Mr McKenzie told AAP.

He also said safety should not be sacrificed for savings.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

11:56 am, Wednesday 27 June, 2012

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued an electrical safety recall for a selection of HPM white extension leads. The extension leads were sold nationally between 1 March and 14 June 2012 in Mitre-10, Officeworks, Dick Smith Electronics and Big W.

According to NT WorkSafe Executive Director Laurene Hull, the wires in the leads were accidentally transposed during manufacture, which means the pins on the plug may not be wired to the proper aperture on the socket. This may lead to a risk of an electric shock.

Those who have purchased the extension leads are advised to immediately unplug the item and stop using them.

Consumers are also advised to contact the HPM Legrand Australia call centre on 1300 369 777 (selecting option 1) from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. They are also requested to have the potentially affected product with them when making the call.

More information can be found in the Product Recall Safety Notice.

Report by Haydee - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

01:53 pm, Thursday 8 September, 2011

Last week, a man suffrered an electric shock at work as he was erecting a pole near powerlines in Cranbourne West, a suburb of Melbourne.

Paramedics treated the 55-year old at his workplace.

Intensive care paramedic Yvette Mersits said the crew arrived to find a man suffering burns.

He had been erecting a pole on a new estate when it appears the pole came close to power cables.

‘We believe the electricity arced from the cable to the pole the man was holding”, Ms Mersits said.

‘He has burns to his hand where the electricity entered his body, and burns to his foot where it exited his body.

‘While the man has obvious burns injuries there’s also the potential he has suffered internal injuries when the electricity passed through him.

‘He was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition,’ Ms Mersits said.

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

02:18 pm, Thursday 1 September, 2011

A Queensland court this week fined a Gold Coast insulation company $100,000 over the death of an installer.

The employee aged 22, was electrocuted while installing insulation at Millaa Millaa in far north Queensland last year.

His employer pleaded guilty to failing conduct its business in a way that was electrically safe.

The Magistrate ordered the company pay a $100,000 fine within two years, but that no conviction be recorded.

He said while the company took steps to train its staff, there was a failure to ensure metal staples were not used.

The company’s two directors had also been charged with failing to ensure the company complied with the Electrical Safety Act, however, the parties agreed the complaint against the two directors should be dismissed.

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

04:05 pm, Thursday 7 July, 2011

The Perth Magistrates Court has fined a demolition contractor $5000 for failing to disconnect the electrical supply to a demolition site.

The contractor pleaded guilty to undertaking demolition work that was not performed in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard.

In November 2010, he was engaged by a property owner to demolish a single-storey residential building in Dianella, a suburb of Perth.

According to WorkSafe, electricity services on the site had not been properly disconnected before commencing the work, and overhead power lines remained connected to the building.

The demolition site was also accessible to the public because some of the fencing had fallen down.

“Demolition work can be hazardous at the best of times – that’s why it is controlled under workplace safety laws and Australian Standards,” said Acting WorkSafe executive director Andrea Crichton-Browne.

“Failing to ensure that electricity services to the site were disconnected created the additional unnecessary risk of electrocution to workers,” she said.

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

10:40 pm, Tuesday 14 June, 2011

A Melbourne-based company has been fined $25,000 after a sub-contractor suffered an electric shock and third degree burns to almost half of his body.

The amount of the fine is practically the same as that imposed on a Brisbane company after an electrical apprentice was burnt, as reported by SafetyCulture on Friday.

The sub-contractor received more than 22,000 volts after he brushed a power line while working on a roof at a Mulgrave warehouse in August 2007.

His employer had instructed him to steer an elevated work platform close to high voltage power lines so he could work on the warehouse’s roof.

The platform hit the power line as it was raised and the man suffered an electric shock and severe burns.

The man’s employer pleaded guilty at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court to failing to provide a safe workplace.

WorkSafe’s investigation found the man was put at risk as he was placed in an area classified as a “No Go Zone”.

The acting Director of WorkSafe’s Construction and Utilities Division, Allan Beacom, said No Go Zones were areas where strict procedures must be implemented.

“Not doing so greatly increases the risk of direct contact with power lines or of electricity arcing up to three metres from them,” he said.

“This case shows the consequences can be instant and last a lifetime.”

WorkSafe’s investigation found the company failed to:

• obtain permission from the electrical company or develop a safe system to perform the work in accordance with the No Go Zone guidelines; and
• provide training on how to safely work at heights or in No Go Zones.

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know

07:54 am, Friday 10 June, 2011

A business has been fined $24,000 in the Brisbane Industrial Magistrates Court after an electrical apprentice suffered bodily harm whilst he conducted testing on live equipment.

The company was charged for breaching Section 27 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 in failing to conduct its business in an electrically safe manner.

The court heard the company directed the electrical apprentice, who had started his apprenticeship four and a half months before the incident, to conduct testing on a 1000 volt A/C drum roller motor.

He sustained burns to both hands.

The company pleaded  guilty to the charge and the court took this into account plus the company’s previously unblemished record.

After the incident, the company also improved its safety policies and procedures.

In addition to the fine, the company was also ordered to pay investigation costs and court costs totalling $2,490.90.

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know