WA regulator highlights fatal risk of working live

The Western Australian safety regulator is targeting electricians in a new campaign that highlights the serious risks of working on live installations.

Using the tagline ‘Working live kills’, the series of advertisements from Building and Energy aim to capture the attention of electrical contractors and electrical workers at all levels of experience.

The regulator said that live work continues to be the leading cause of serious electrical burns, shocks, serious injuries and, tragically, deaths among electricians in WA. Since 2018, three workers have lost their lives and 15 others have suffered serious injuries on installations that were found to be live and not isolated correctly.

“The risks can be removed by following the vital rule: always isolate the electricity supply and test before you touch,” said WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Peter Stewart.

“Electricity regulations prohibit live work except in specific, limited circumstances,” he added.

Stewart said that employers and senior staff could also play a key role by leading from the top — and by example — to uphold a robust safety culture and correct procedures at every job, to ensure everyone goes home safely.

“Most safety checks take just minutes, but they can save lives. There’s no excuse for cutting corners when it comes to electrical safety. The consequences can be deadly,” he warned.

The ‘Working Live Kills’ campaign will run until mid-September on radio, social media, online video and streaming platforms, as well as digital billboards across the state. In ads airing during the AFL finals series, West Coast Eagles co-captain Liam Duggan will share the campaign’s safety message.

The campaign videos can be viewed on the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@LGIRSWA. Digital campaign materials and free stickers are available by emailing egpgeneraladmin@lgirs.wa.gov.au

More electrical safety information can be found on the Building and Energy website.

Top image caption: ‘Working Live Kills’ campaign billboard. Image courtesy of Building and Energy.