Electrician fined $40k for ‘potentially lethal’ negligence

The owners of the subdivided property engaged Reztech to carry out electrical work on site, including installing the site’s main switchboard, switchboard enclosures for each home, and protective components.

However, the Perth Magistrates Court later heard that two key safety elements had not been installed, putting users’ lives at risk.

Neither the multiple earthed neutral in the site main switchboard nor the earth bond to a metal switchboard enclosure had been installed.

“Without these components, users could be at risk of electric shock because protective devices may not operate if an electrical fault occurs,” noted Building and Energy Western Australia, the regulator for the state’s building, plumbing, electricity and gas industries.

Despite the absence of these essential safety elements, Reztech signed paperwork stating that it had completed all electrical work in compliance with applicable legislation, and that the work was safe based on compulsory tests and checks.

The negligence was only discovered when network operator Western Power carried out an inspection and discovered that the safety elements had not been installed.

Magistrate Sarah Oliver stated that the company’s conduct was a “very serious offence”, noting Reztech had breached Western Australia’s Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991 and the Energy Coordination Act 1994.

Speaking about the court findings, Building and Energy head Saj Abdoolakhan said: “It is unacceptable for this company to falsely declare its work was checked, tested and complied with the regulations. It obviously did not and people’s lives were at risk.”

“This significant penalty should send a strong message to the electrical industry about ensuring your work is done right every time and producing documents when you are ordered to,” he said.