Electrical licensing disciplinary action
In December 2023, the Electrical Licensing Committee took disciplinary action against eight licence holders:
Case 1: An electrical worker failed to ensure installations were electrically safe and compliant at multiple domestic locations. As a result of the failure, a final subcircuit supplying an air conditioning unit was energised - no overload or short circuit protection was in place. At another location, a final subcircuit suppling a hot water unit was energised without safety switch protection, and cables were not properly supported or fixed in position.
The worker's licence was suspended for four months, and the worker ordered to complete mandatory training in competency units prior to the suspension being lifted. The worker was disqualified from being a qualified technical person for four months. Mandatory training in competency units was also ordered to be completed prior to the suspension being lifted. The worker was issued with a caution and a $400 penalty.
Case 2: An electrical contractor performing installation work at multiple domestic locations failed to ensure the works were electrically safe and compliant with the Wiring Rules.
As a result of the failure, a final subcircuit suppling an air conditioning unit was energised - no overload or short circuit protection was in place, at another location, a final subcircuit suppling a hot water unit was energised without safety switch protection, and cables were not properly supported or fixed in position.
The contractor's licence was suspended for six months. The QTP must complete mandatory training in competency units and the contractor must complete an approved electrical safety system audit from an independent auditor. The contractor was issued with a severe reprimand and a $1,000 penalty. The disciplinary action regarding the penalty will be on the licensing public register for three years.
Case 3: An electrical worker was working at a domestic property when they failed to ensure the installation was electrically safe and compliant with the Wiring Rules.
As a result of the failure, electrical equipment had been energised and placed in service without basic protection from contact with energised parts. In turn, another worker inadvertently contacted an exposed energised conductor and received an electric shock.
The worker's licence was suspended for four months. The worker was ordered to complete mandatory training in competency units prior to the suspension being lifted, reprimanded, and fined $1,000.
Case 4: An electrical worker was undertaking work including replacing several socket outlets, installing new socket outlets, and installing ceiling fans at a domestic property when they failed to correctly identify, isolate, lockout, and tag the circuits. In addition, the worker failed to ensure that the electrical equipment had been de-energised to allow the work to be carried out.
As a result of the failure, an apprentice received an electric shock while making contact with an energised conductor supplying a power circuit.
The worker's licence was suspended for five months. The worker was ordered to complete mandatory training in competency units prior to the suspension being lifted and was further issued a caution and $400 penalty.
Case 5: An electrical worker performed work at multiple domestic locations including the installation of PV Solar systems.
The electrical worker failed to ensure that electrical installations, to the extent they were affected by electrical work, were electrically safe and compliant with the Wiring Rules.
As a result of the failure, the electrical installations were connected and energised. The Electrical Safety Office issued multiple improvement notices to address non-compliances. The electrical worker also failed to comply with the improvement orders.
The worker's licence was suspended, and the worker ordered to complete mandatory training in competency units prior to the suspension being lifted. The worker’s licence was disqualified for five years, and a $2,000 penalty was issued. The action regarding the reprimand, disqualification, and penalty will be included on the licensing public register for three years, in addition to receiving a $720 infringement notice from the ESO.
Case 6: An electrical contractor was installing PV Solar systems at multiple domestic locations but failed to the work was electrically safe and compliant with the Wiring Rules.
As a result of the failure, the electrical installations were connected and energised with multiple non-compliances with the Wiring Rules. The Electrical Safety Office issued multiple improvement notices to address the non-compliances. The electrical worker failed to comply with the orders. The contractor's licence was suspended, for six months.
All QTP's must complete mandatory training in competency units and the contractor must complete an approved electrical safety system audit from an independent auditor. The contractor was issued with a reprimand and a $2,000 penalty. This was in addition to receiving an $800 infringement notice from the ESO.
Case 7: An electrical contractor was installing and terminating electrical cables into a control cabinet and completing a final verification of the installation when he failed to ensure a safe system of work was implemented to identify, isolate, lockout and tag electrical equipment at the location.
In addition, the contractor failed to ensure that the equipment was de-energised. As a result of the failure, an electrical worker in the process of preparing cables for termination contacted the exposed ends of an unterminated cable and received an electric shock.
The contractor's licence was suspended for six months. An approved electrical safety system audit must also be completed by an independent auditor. The contractor was issued with a caution, a $400 penalty, and a $3,800 infringement notice from the ESO.
Case 8: An electrical worker was working and supervising the replacement of printed circuit boards on air conditioning equipment at a commercial location when the worker failed to ensure the correct identification, isolation, and lockout of the equipment.
In addition, the worker failed to ensure that the electrical equipment had been de-energised. As a result of the failure, a second-year electrical apprentice received an electric shock when they contacted an energised part of the A/C printed circuit board.
The worker's licence was suspended for four months, and mandatory training in competency units was ordered to be completed prior to the suspension being lifted. The worker was issued with a caution, and a $300 penalty plus an $800 infringement notice from the ESO.