Court Summary - at a glance
Date of offence:
26/09/2018
Plea:
Guilty
Decision:
Convicted
Final decision date:
Fine imposed:
$77,350
Safety lessons learned:
- Provide safe working procedures, including procedures requiring appropriate testing, for workers to follow when carrying out work;
- Ensure that workers have adequate knowledge and experience for the type of tests required to identify a transposition of mains;
- Provide workers with appropriate testing equipment to identify a transposition of mains, and training in how to use that testing equipment properly;
- Ensure correct procedures are in place to identify and remedy errors such as a transposition of mains.
Defendant name:
Thor Electrical and Maintenance Services Limited
Industry:
Energy
Date of offence:
26/09/2018
Facts in brief:
"On 21 September 2018, two employees of Thor Electrical were to connect the mains power at a commercial property. However, one of the workers had incorrectly identified the phase and neutral conductors. He did not use a recognised industry test procedure to confirm the polarity of the conductors prior to crimping and connecting them, did not record that he had not completed a polarity test and did not leave a completed certificate of compliance on site for the electrical inspector to view.
Believing that the installation was safe to connect to the mains power supply, the electrical inspector installed the meter and inserted the fuse, which allowed electricity to flow through the circuit to the socket outlet (power plug). He completed his Record of Inspection and left the site. He did not complete a polarity test. The connected system with reversed polarity meant there was up to 230 volts of live electricity flowing through the earthing system.
On 2 October 2018 a worker ran an extension lead from the mains power to a freight container unit and received an electric shock when he touched the unit. On 3 October 2018 two other workers suffered electric shocks when they touched the unit. No-one sustained serious injuries or any identifiable ongoing health issues.
Believing that the installation was safe to connect to the mains power supply, the electrical inspector installed the meter and inserted the fuse, which allowed electricity to flow through the circuit to the socket outlet (power plug). He completed his Record of Inspection and left the site. He did not complete a polarity test. The connected system with reversed polarity meant there was up to 230 volts of live electricity flowing through the earthing system.
On 2 October 2018 a worker ran an extension lead from the mains power to a freight container unit and received an electric shock when he touched the unit. On 3 October 2018 two other workers suffered electric shocks when they touched the unit. No-one sustained serious injuries or any identifiable ongoing health issues.
Offence section:
"Charge one – ss 36(1)(a) and 48 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Charge two – ss 36(2) and 48 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015"
Charge two – ss 36(2) and 48 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015"
Date(s) charged:
7-Nov-19
Court:
Waitakere - District Court
Plea:
Guilty
Final decision date:
Decision:
Convicted
Fine imposed:
$77,350
Maximum fine available:
$1.5 million
Reparation:
No reparation sought as there was no ongoing injury
$3,000 in costs
$3,000 in costs
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