Electrical safety order following Perth explosion

Western Australia’s electrical regulator, Energy Safety, has imposed a new safety order following the explosion at the Morley Galleria Shopping Centre that left two electrical contractors dead and two others seriously injured.

The order, sent to all licensed electrical contractors in Western Australia and property owners with the high-voltage, oil-insulated combined-fuse switch produced by Long & Crawford Manchester, means that electrical supply must be completely disconnected before opening the switch’s lid.

Energy Safety Director Ken Bowron said that he had taken this step following the explosion of the older combined-fuse switch earlier this month. “Many similarly aged Long & Crawford switches, of unknown number and location, are owned and operated by private owners, with unknown histories of preventative maintenance. We are looking into all aspects of these switches as part of the ongoing investigation process following the Morley Galleria accident, and the order we are issuing today is made in light of evidence we have to date.”

The chief executive officer of the National Electrical and Communications Association, Suresh Manickam, said that the accident was another stark reminder of the dangers electrical contractors face on a day-to-day basis. “This terrible tragedy underlines the critical importance of electrical safety and the potential dangers of performing work on electrical equipment whilst it remains energised. I urge electrical contractors across Australia to take note of the order issued by Western Australia’s regulator.”

The order can be found here.