❓ Hon. Kate Doust asks about workplace injuries related to live electrical work, prompting a detailed response from the Minister for Commerce outlining incident specifics, regulatory context, and safety measures.
AnsweredQoN 296Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
OF COMMERCE — LIVE ELECTRICAL WORK
296. Hon KATE DOUST to the
Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the
answer to question without notice 226, asked on 17 March 2016, in which the
minister said —
The proposed amendments to the regulations to deal with working in
enclosed roof spaces and to isolate live equipment have been under development
since August last year.
Can the minister
please state the total number of workplace injuries over the last two years
that have occurred due to work being done on live electrical sites?
OF COMMERCE — LIVE ELECTRICAL WORK
296. Hon KATE DOUST to the
Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the
answer to question without notice 226, asked on 17 March 2016, in which the
minister said —
The proposed amendments to the regulations to deal with working in
enclosed roof spaces and to isolate live equipment have been under development
since August last year.
Can the minister
please state the total number of workplace injuries over the last two years
that have occurred due to work being done on live electrical sites?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
Ten incidents were recorded between 1 March 2014 and 29 February
2016, which I will put into context for the assistance and information of the
member, given that there was a reference to the previous question. On 28 May 2014,
a network operator employee received burns to both hands when he was inspecting
a damaged mini-pillar. The proposed amendments to the regulations would not
apply to network operators, which are required, as part of the Electricity
(Network Safety) Regulations introduced in 2015, to manage this risk under
their safety management systems.
On 24 October 2014, the victim received minor burns to both
hands when doing work on a temporary power supply sub-main cable. On 29
November 2014, the victim was installing a new load centre and main switch on a
switchboard that was energised. On 12 January 2015, the victim was
fault-finding on a variable speed controller for a motor. The work will still
be carried out on live equipment under the proposed amended regulations.
However, the worker will be required to use a proper risk assessment plan, which
is something that electricians have been trained to compile during their
electrical training. On 24 January 2015, the victim was fault-finding on a fire
pump control panel that was energised. This work will still be carried out on
live equipment under the proposed amended regulations. However, the worker will
be required to use a proper risk assessment plan, something that electricians
have been trained to compile during their electrical training. On 3 February
2015, there were four victims. Two tradesmen were injured and two died as a result
of their injuries. At the time of the accident, the victims were working on
high-voltage switchgear at the Morley Galleria Shopping Centre. EnergySafety
applied prohibitions on live work on this specific type of equipment shortly
after the incident. On 4 August 2015, a network operator employee received
flash burns while doing cable jointing work. The proposed amendments to
regulations will not apply to network operators, which are required as part of
the Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations introduced in 2015, to manage this
risk under their safety management systems.
None of these incidents occurred in
a domestic roof space. There is no specific trend or pattern to the mishaps.
Some of the incidents involved work on a network operator's equipment,
while others involved work on energised switchboards. Four involved the tragic
accident at the Morley Galleria Shopping Centre and high‑voltage
switchgear, which is a specialised item of industrial equipment.
While developing policy to deal with
the issue, the government had to ensure that it addressed all the different
scenarios. The recent incident in Yokine is not included among the injuries
above as the incident report has not yet been completed. With respect to the
proposed amendments to the regulations and my comments of 17 March 2016 to
which reference has been made, the government has consulted extensively with
industry stakeholders to ensure it has addressed all their concerns and that
the changes will not give rise to other problems.
Electricity is dangerous and
electricians are not only trained and qualified to identify and address risks
and hazards posed by working with it, but also constantly reminded of the
dangers of working with live equipment and circuits, the importance of
isolating circuits if possible and the importance of using the right personal
protective equipment. Safe electrical work practices, including isolation and
testing, are an integral part of an electrician's work and they are
taught throughout their training. EnergySafety has published over a dozen
articles in its quarterly energy bulletin to industry, reminding industry about
the dangers of working live. In 2008, EnergySafety published a code of practice
titled ''Safe Low Voltage Work Practices by Electricians''. This
code addresses general electrical safety obligations, especially the avoidance
of live work wherever possible. EnergySafety conducted roadshows to inform
industry about the code. Several articles were published in its bulletin as
well.
The electrical industry does not
have to wait for a ban to be legislated before working in a safe environment.
The legislative changes will ensure the precautions already prescribed in the
code are mandated and allow for enforcement action to be taken against those
who do not comply with the legislation.
Both EnergySafety and WorkSafe have
been urging all tradesmen to switch off the power before they enter the roof
space. Trades people are aware of the risks and the Department of Commerce has
been constantly promoting this message.
I urge tradesmen to pay heed to this
advice. Those working with electrical equipment do not have to wait for the ban
to be in force to protect themselves and their workmates and ensure that they
return home safely.
question.
Ten incidents were recorded between 1 March 2014 and 29 February
2016, which I will put into context for the assistance and information of the
member, given that there was a reference to the previous question. On 28 May 2014,
a network operator employee received burns to both hands when he was inspecting
a damaged mini-pillar. The proposed amendments to the regulations would not
apply to network operators, which are required, as part of the Electricity
(Network Safety) Regulations introduced in 2015, to manage this risk under
their safety management systems.
On 24 October 2014, the victim received minor burns to both
hands when doing work on a temporary power supply sub-main cable. On 29
November 2014, the victim was installing a new load centre and main switch on a
switchboard that was energised. On 12 January 2015, the victim was
fault-finding on a variable speed controller for a motor. The work will still
be carried out on live equipment under the proposed amended regulations.
However, the worker will be required to use a proper risk assessment plan, which
is something that electricians have been trained to compile during their
electrical training. On 24 January 2015, the victim was fault-finding on a fire
pump control panel that was energised. This work will still be carried out on
live equipment under the proposed amended regulations. However, the worker will
be required to use a proper risk assessment plan, something that electricians
have been trained to compile during their electrical training. On 3 February
2015, there were four victims. Two tradesmen were injured and two died as a result
of their injuries. At the time of the accident, the victims were working on
high-voltage switchgear at the Morley Galleria Shopping Centre. EnergySafety
applied prohibitions on live work on this specific type of equipment shortly
after the incident. On 4 August 2015, a network operator employee received
flash burns while doing cable jointing work. The proposed amendments to
regulations will not apply to network operators, which are required as part of
the Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations introduced in 2015, to manage this
risk under their safety management systems.
None of these incidents occurred in
a domestic roof space. There is no specific trend or pattern to the mishaps.
Some of the incidents involved work on a network operator's equipment,
while others involved work on energised switchboards. Four involved the tragic
accident at the Morley Galleria Shopping Centre and high‑voltage
switchgear, which is a specialised item of industrial equipment.
While developing policy to deal with
the issue, the government had to ensure that it addressed all the different
scenarios. The recent incident in Yokine is not included among the injuries
above as the incident report has not yet been completed. With respect to the
proposed amendments to the regulations and my comments of 17 March 2016 to
which reference has been made, the government has consulted extensively with
industry stakeholders to ensure it has addressed all their concerns and that
the changes will not give rise to other problems.
Electricity is dangerous and
electricians are not only trained and qualified to identify and address risks
and hazards posed by working with it, but also constantly reminded of the
dangers of working with live equipment and circuits, the importance of
isolating circuits if possible and the importance of using the right personal
protective equipment. Safe electrical work practices, including isolation and
testing, are an integral part of an electrician's work and they are
taught throughout their training. EnergySafety has published over a dozen
articles in its quarterly energy bulletin to industry, reminding industry about
the dangers of working live. In 2008, EnergySafety published a code of practice
titled ''Safe Low Voltage Work Practices by Electricians''. This
code addresses general electrical safety obligations, especially the avoidance
of live work wherever possible. EnergySafety conducted roadshows to inform
industry about the code. Several articles were published in its bulletin as
well.
The electrical industry does not
have to wait for a ban to be legislated before working in a safe environment.
The legislative changes will ensure the precautions already prescribed in the
code are mandated and allow for enforcement action to be taken against those
who do not comply with the legislation.
Both EnergySafety and WorkSafe have
been urging all tradesmen to switch off the power before they enter the roof
space. Trades people are aware of the risks and the Department of Commerce has
been constantly promoting this message.
I urge tradesmen to pay heed to this
advice. Those working with electrical equipment do not have to wait for the ban
to be in force to protect themselves and their workmates and ensure that they
return home safely.
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