Western Power fined $40,000 over failures that led to Perth’s resident’s electric shock
Western Power has been hit with a $40,000 fine over an incident in which a Manning resident suffered an electric shock but was “luckily” unharmed.
The network operator pleaded guilty to failing to develop, implement and maintain adequate work practices as required under the relevant regulations.
An electrical subcontractor had been working on behalf of Western Power in April 2022 to install new tariff meters and convert overhead to underground electricity supplies, Perth Magistrates Court was told earlier this month.
The worker completed a service connection test checklist form provided by Western Power.
These tests were to ensure occupants and property are protected when the electricity supply is restored.
The court heard that in the evening a resident at the home received an electric shock while touching a bathroom tap, but was uninjured.
An investigation later revealed the tests specified on Western Power’s form failed to detect a hazardous load neutral voltage, meaning the current was flowing through earthed metallic parts of the property rather than through the neutral conductors.
This caused metal components at the home to become live.
Camera IconWA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said the hazardous voltages could have caused serious or fatal injuries, as well as property damage or fire. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
Prosecutors for industry regulator, Building and Energy, told the court Western Power’s service connection test form did not include an electrical neutral integrity test, which is considered a definitive method for identifying the neutral fault that occurred at the home.
The court was told it would have been reasonably practicable for Western Power to develop the required neutral integrity test, provide related training and include the test on its forms.
Following the hearing, WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said the hazardous voltages could have caused serious or fatal injuries, as well as property damage or fire.
“It is incredibly lucky that the occupant of the home was unharmed,” he said.
Camera IconWestern Power was fined $30,000 in April 2022 following an error by one of its contractors, which led to a Kingsley man receiving an electric shock. Credit: Supplied
“Western Power has previous convictions for instances in which deficiencies in the form led to inadequate testing and risk to consumers, including an electric shock in Kingsley and damaged appliances in Lancelin.
“Western Power has recently advised me that it has now taken adequate corrective actions and included the electrical neutral integrity test as a key requirement for service connections.”
Western Power was fined $30,000 in April 2022 following an error by one of its contractors, which led to a Kingsley man receiving an electric shock.
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