Unsafe electrical work results in court fine of $40,000

A Queensland magistrate recently fined an electrical worker $40,000 after they failed to comply with their electrical safety duty. The case was prosecuted by Queensland’s independent Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor.

The court heard that a project to build a new store commenced and required a subcontractor to conduct the electrical work.

The electrical subcontractor failed to submit an electrical work request to connect the site to main power and organised several labour hire staff and inexperienced people to perform work at the site.

The site was siphoning power in an unmetered fashion.

In following months, a staff member working at the site went to reset a circuit breaker and received an electric shock. They observed an arc of electricity make contact with their finger which resulted in a burn injury.

Several other defects were discovered at the site including electrical cables hanging from the ceiling, non-functioning lights, and use of hot water causing the circuit breaker to trip.

In sentencing, the presiding magistrate acknowledged that while no significant injuries occurred, the potential consequences of the defective electrical work were significant.

No conviction was recorded.