29/09/2020

Following two separate incidents in less than a month, SafeWork SA reminds businesses of the risk of electric shock or electrocution where the electrical supply has not been de-energised.

Recently a plumber was fatally electrocuted when installing a hot water system at a domestic property.

A second incident occurred where an electrician working in a roof cavity space received critical injuries from electric shock while working on an air conditioning unit. on Saturday 3 October 2020, the electrician succumbed to the injuries.

Both incidents were the result of power not being de-energised.

New information on working on or near electrical installations or services is available to understand the risks and how to manage them.

Statistics on electric shock incidents

The Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) requires the regulator to be notified of certain ‘notifiable incidents’.

Some types of work-related dangerous incidents must be notified even if no-one is injured.

SafeWork SA must be notified of any incident in relation to a workplace that exposes any person to a serious risk resulting from an immediate or imminent exposure to an electric shock.

Over the past 12 months, SafeWork SA has received 267 notifications of electric shock or risk of electric shock across most industries:

  • Construction 20%
  • Community Services 20%
  • Manufacturing, including Food & Beverages 12%
  • Mining 8%
  • All other industries 40%

Further information

Working on or near electrical installations or services

Electrical work