Health and safety representative

A surge in electrical shocks

During October, SafeWork SA will be visiting workplaces across industries to ensure that electrical safety requirements for inspection and testing are being met. 

Over the past two years, a surge in electric shock incidents reported in South Australia has sparked fresh warnings for construction workers. In 2021/2022, SafeWork SA received 348 notifications associated with electric shock incidents, up nine per cent from the previous year and 38 per cent more than the 252 notifications in 2019/2020.

The construction industry accounted for 24 per cent of all electric shock notifications in 2021/2022.

The South Australian Work Health and Safety Act (2012) requires SafeWork SA to be notified when a workplace exposes any person to a serious risk due to immediate or imminent exposure to an electric shock, even if no one is injured.

The types of electrical safety issues identified include:

  • portable electrical equipment that has not been inspected and maintained (tested and tagged)
  • residual current devices (RCDs) that have not been inspected and tested at the required intervals
  • workers breaching the No Go Zone” of overhead powerlines
  • unidentified live permanent wiring
  • electrical equipment or wiring that has not been de-energised when working on or near it
  • construction switchboards that are not installed or maintained safely, and
  • safe work method statements are missing, inadequate or not followed when undertaking work on or near energised electrical installation or services.

Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) that workers and others must not be exposed to electrical risks. SafeWork SA supports the South Australian Construction Safety Alliance (SACSA) electrical work and equipment initiative.

The continued rise in electric shock notifications was of great concern and the effective management of electrical risks is critical, said SafeWork SA Executive Director Martyn Campbell.

Workers who work on or near electricity are at risk of burns, shocks and other serious injuries,” he said.

Before electrical activities are carried out, a risk assessment must be undertaken and if a safe work method statement is needed, all electrical work must be carried out in line with this.”

More information > https://​www​.safe​work​.sa​.gov​.au/​_​_​d​a​t​a​/​a​s​s​e​t​s​/​p​d​f​_​f​i​l​e​/​0​0​0​6​/​8​2​4​5​5​0​/​S​A​C​S​A​-​S​a​f​e​t​y​-​E​s​s​e​n​t​i​a​l​s​_​E​l​e​c​t​r​i​c​a​l​_​F​i​n​a​l.pdf

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