More than one worker a day suffers an electric shock in South Australia, with the state’s safety watchdog saying reporting is taking too long.
SafeWork SA received 375 electric shock notifications between October 2023 and September 2024.
While 331 electric shocks met the definition of a notifiable dangerous incident, only 201 of these were reported to SafeWork SA within 24 hours.
SafeWork SA is warning businesses that inspectors will be taking stronger compliance against businesses that fail to meet their reporting obligations as well as those which fail to preserve the scene for further investigation.
An electric shock is a notifiable dangerous incident under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 if it exposes a worker to serious risks to their health and safety or results in death or serious injury.
Minor electric shocks that do not result in serious injury or illness, such as static shocks or minor tingles, are generally not considered notifiable incidents.
Once a business becomes aware of a notifiable incident, they must:
- notify SafeWork SA immediately and by the fastest means possible, typically by telephone
- preserve the incident site until a SafeWork SA Inspector arrives or directs otherwise – the exception being to assist an injured person or make the site safe
- notify the Office of the Technical Regulator
A failure to notify SafeWork SA or preserve the scene of a notifiable incident attracts penalties of up to $50,000 for a body corporate and $10,000 for an individual for each offence.
“The number of electric shocks to workers is concerning as is the time it is taking for businesses to notify SafeWork SA,” SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said.
“Electric shocks can literally be the difference between life and death. It is vital that businesses immediately report an electric shock incident and preserve the scene to ensure the cause can be properly identified.
“We will work with businesses to help them fully understand their responsibilities around electricity and what to do if a worker suffers an electric shock.”
South Australia isn’t the only state warning workplaces to pay greater attention to the risks associated with electrical work.
Earlier this month a mine boilermaker suffered an electric shock while welding at a New South Wales coal mine.
The NSW Resources Regulator investigated and discovered the worker had made contact with the welder handpiece while leaning on the bench as he was welding.
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