Electrical error places residents at risk

Following prosecution by Western Australia’s safety regulator, Building and Energy, an electrical contractor and worker have received a total of $18,500 in fines.

In June 2025, Jandakot electrical contractor Kage Systems Pty Ltd (trading as Shield Electrical) and its employee pleaded guilty to breaching WA’s electrical licensing regulations.

Rockingham Magistrates Court was told that in December 2023, the employee carried out electrical work to enable connection of a newly built Wandi property to the electricity network.

When Western Power checked the installation the following day, the inspector noted it was missing a key part of the earthing system: the multiple earthed neutral (MEN). In the absence of an MEN, protective devices such as circuit breakers and fuses may not operate if an electrical fault occurs. This could cause metallic parts of the home to become live with dangerous voltages, potentially resulting in electric shock.

The electrical worker was fined $3500 because the missing MEN meant the work did not comply with the required wiring rules. As the responsible electrical contractor, Kage Systems was fined $15,000 for providing an official notice that incorrectly declared its employee’s work was checked, tested and compliant.

Magistrate Clare Cullen also ordered the electrical worker and Kage Systems to pay costs of $367.25 and $377.50, respectively, noting their early pleas and genuine remorse.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Peter Stewart, said he hoped the case reminded electrical workers and contractors about their responsibilities.

“The issue would have easily been detected if the electrical worker had carried out mandatory checks and tests,” Stewart said.

“Electrical contractors must also remember the buck stops with them and instil a strong safety and compliance culture among all their staff.”

Image credit: iStock.com/DNY59