Bereaved family has important warning for electrical workers

The bereaved family of a young woman who died as a result of a faulty electrical product are sharing their story in the hope that it will serve as a warning to electrical workers who provide electrical goods as part of their work.

Kerryn O’Connor was just 35 years old when she was electrocuted by a submersible water pump she was using in the backyard of her Townsville home.

The pump wasn’t designed, manufactured or tested to Australian standards and an internal, hidden fault caused the outer metal casing of the pump to become live, killing Kerryn instantly.

Her family have shared her story through Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office.

Any electrical worker who supplies electrical products as part of their work — including fans, lights and hot water systems — is a supplier and has a legal responsibility to ensure the products are safe. The best way to do this is to purchase electrical equipment registered to an Australian-based responsible supplier and check the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) is printed on the equipment (or its packaging) — this means it meets Australian safety standards.

Electrical workers who import electrical equipment (purchase it from overseas) are the responsible supplier and need to register both themselves and the electrical equipment on EESS.gov.au, have test reports showing compliance to Australian safety standards and place the RCM on the equipment.

“Many people did the wrong thing and Kerryn was the only one who didn’t, and Kerryn’s the one who’s paid the price for it. It didn't have to happen, that’s the sad thing. It was totally preventable,” said Kerryn’s mother, Robyn O’Connor.

The supplier of the pump that killed Kerryn was fined, a criminal conviction was recorded against the company and the pump was recalled across Australia at the company’s expense.

Share Kerryn’s story with friends, family, colleagues and clients.

 

Image credit: iStock.com/ francescomoufotografo