;

Court Summary - at a glance

Date of offence:
28 March 2014
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Final decision date:
 
Fine imposed:
$33,500

Safety lessons learned:

Isolate the electrical supply before commencing work – the flashover is a known hazard when working live within the Weber disconnector. 

Defendant name:
Electrix Limited
 
Industry:
Energy
 
Date of offence:
28 March 2014
 
Facts in brief:
Employee was working to upgrade an existing electrical pillar. The electrical supply to the pillar was still connected and live. The employee was attempting to disconnect the incoming supply cables to the component known as the Weber disconnector. The bolts were stuck due to rust and corrosion. The employee’s screwdriver slipped while he was trying to unscrew a bolt and this short-circuited two of the live phases, causing a flashover.
 
Offence section:
S6 Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992
 
Date(s) charged:

Court:
North Shore - District Court
 
Plea:
Guilty
 
Final decision date:
 
Decision:
Convicted
 
Fine imposed:
$33,500
 
Maximum fine available:
$250,000
 
Reparation:
$1,500