Don’t DIE trying DIY: The message to property owners and wannabe fixer-uppers
Home owners and residents are being warned against the perils of attempting DIY electrical or gas fitting work, thanks to a new Western Australian campaign.
Western Australia’s Building and Energy, part of the state Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, has released messages across radio, social media and video to highlight the similarities between “DIY and DIE” – hoping to discourage unlicensed people from attempting work.
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With several deaths and near misses across the state due to unlicensed individuals attempting to carry out their own electrical or gas fitting work, Western Australia’s director of energy safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, reminded people: “By law, no one should work on electrical or gas installations at your home or business unless they are a licensed electrician or a licensed gasfitter.”
“These licence holders have years of training and experience to be able to handle hazardous situations and deliver safe and compliant work. Never attempt your own gas or electrical work – it could cause death or serious injury to you or others,” he shared.
With at least three people in Western Australia having died from electrocution related to amateur electrical work over the past six years, Building and Energy also noted that it’s not just the DIYers themselves who are at risk of harm.
The government department flagged a young father’s tragic death in the Great Southern after touching a friend’s homemade high-voltage art device, as well as an elderly woman in Perth’s northern suburbs passing away after making contact with an unauthorised 240-volt electric fence installed by a family member.
As well as causing death, the government is warning that DIY electrical work can also cause fires and blasts, while unlicensed gas fitting work can result in gas leaks, explosions or carbon monoxide exposure.
Abdoolakhan also warned, “there may also be property damage and liability or insurance issues”.
With the hope that people “think twice before attempting their own work”, Abdoolakhan advised that a licence search can be carried out via the ServiceWA app – or through a search at demirs.wa.gov.au.