Electrical licences suspended for safety breaches

Four electrical contractors have had their licences suspended due to safe work system breaches.

Queensland’s Electrical Licencing Committee took action against multiple electrical contractors in April and May for failing to implement, or breaching, safe work systems.

One electrical contractor received a six-month suspension for failing to identify a live cable. He did not have sufficient testing procedures in place while performing a switchboard upgrade, meaning that a live cable was not identified creating a risk of electric shock. The contractor’s licence was subsequently suspended, and he must complete two approved electrical safety system audits from an independent auditor prior to the suspension being lifted. He was also fined $800, which will be listed on the licensing public register for three years.

Another electrical contractor’s licence was suspended for six months after he failed to implement safe systems of work and procedures while working on an electrical installation of a new office space. The electrical installation did not comply with the Wiring Rules and an unterminated cable was not identified. Another worker contacted the cable and received a shock. The contractor’s licence was suspended for six months, and he must complete two approved electrical safety systems audits from an independent auditor prior to the suspension being lifted. He was also fined $800, which will be listed on the licensing public search register for three years.

The third electrical contractor failed to ensure safe systems of work when his worker did not complete testing, resulting in another worker receiving a shock. The contractor did not manage risks to account for changing work environments that saw workers complete fit off, commissioning and energising work at the same time, while also managing time constraints. The contractor’s licence was suspended for six months, and he must complete two approved electrical safety system audits from an independent auditor prior to the suspension being lifted. He was fined $2000, which will be listed on the licensing public register for three years.

Finally, a worker received arc flash burns after a contractor failed to implement safe systems of work or check competency. The contractor also failed to ensure PPE was worn and electrical test equipment was fit for the purpose of the work. His licence was suspended for six months, and he must complete two approved electrical safety system audits from an independent auditor prior to the suspension being lifted. He was also fined $800, which will be listed on the licensing public register for three years.

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