Electrical licensing disciplinary action

The Electrical Licensing Committee took disciplinary action against three licence holders in February.

Case 1: An electrical contractor was engaged to replace printed circuit boards on air conditioning equipment when he failed to ensure a safe system of work was implemented to identify, isolate, lockout and tag electrical equipment where the work was underway.

In addition, the contractor failed to ensure equipment that had been de-energised was not inadvertently re-energised while the work was being carried out.

As a result of this failure, an electrical apprentice received an electric shock when contact was made with the energised part of a printed circuit board.

The contractor's license was suspended for six months, a caution was issued, a $600 penalty imposed, plus an infringement notice from the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) totalling $3,600.

All Qualified Technical Person's must complete mandatory training in competency units and the contractor must complete an approved electrical safety system audit from an independent auditor.

Case 2: An electrical worker supervised and installed a new air conditioner final sub circuit into the tenancy sub-board at a commercial property.

The electrical worker failed to ensure the electrical sub board was effectively isolated from supply before the work was undertaken and the line side connection on the sub-board main switch was energised.

As a result of this failure an electrical apprentice received an electric shock when contact was made with the energised part of the sub board main switch.

The worker's license was suspended for three months. The worker was issued with a caution, ordered to complete mandatory training in competency units prior to the suspension being lifted, and a $400 penalty.

Case 3: An electrical worker was engaged to replace an overhead service line and mains connection box at a domestic property.

The electrical worker failed to ensure that the electrical installation, to the extent it was affected by the electrical work, was appropriately tested to ensure it was electrically safe and compliant with the Wiring Rules.

As a result of this failure, the consumer mains were connected to a transposed active and neutral connection at the mains connection box. This caused a rise in potential on the electrical installation earthing system and conductive metallic parts of the building structure, resulting in the occupant of the property receiving an electric shock when contact was made with the metallic kitchen sink.

The worker's license was suspended for three months, and the worker ordered to complete mandatory training in competency units prior to the suspension being lifted. The worker was issued with a severe reprimand and a $200 penalty.