Network operator sentenced for second time

Western Power has been fined $45,000 for not providing adequate testing instructions — instructions that would have detected an electrical error that caused almost $600 worth of damage at a Lancelin property.

The sentencing at Perth Magistrates Court on 7 April 2022 followed Western Power’s earlier guilty plea this month for failing to reasonably ensure that work on its network was carried out safely, as required by WA’s Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015. Under the regulations, Western Power (also known as the Electricity Networks Corporation) is responsible for prescribed work by its staff and contractors on the network, and it must provide them with sufficient instructions.

According to facts presented in court by Building and Energy — the state government’s electrical safety regulator — a Perth electrician was contracted by Western Power to replace a three-phase kilowatt-hour meter at a Lancelin home in October 2019. However, the electrician failed to connect the load neutral conductor, which caused voltage rises and damage to lights and appliances at the property.

The meter replacement testing instructions provided by Western Power to its workers and contractors did not include a final neutral integrity test, which is outlined in the Australian Standards and would have detected the fault. During sentencing, Magistrate Michelle Harries also ordered Western Power to pay $1998.50 in costs and criticised its slow progress in addressing issues relating to the incident. She noted Western Power’s cooperation, early guilty plea and compensation for the property damage, but added that the network operator should expedite a review of its procedures given the risks to community safety.

Building and Energy’s Director of Electrical, Gas and Plumbing Compliance, Matthew Peacock, urged network operators to provide their workers and contractors with comprehensive instructions. “A high volume of meter replacements continue across the network, so it is imperative that electricians working at the frontline are equipped with the right information to ensure the work is completed to a safe standard,” he said.

“The testing regimes must reflect the Australian Standards and include all mandatory testing to enable detection of dangerous errors and other issues.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Brian Jackson