$24K penalty for unprotected switchboard

A Perth electrician and the company he owns have faced strong penalties for breaching WA’s electrical licensing regulations.

Scott Buchanan and licensed electrical contractor Buchanan Electrical Holdings Pty Ltd entered written guilty pleas at Midland Magistrates Court for two matters relating to an unprotected switchboard.

In October 2022, Buchanan had installed an upgraded switchboard at a Beechboro house. A month later, a Western Power inspection revealed the main switchboard’s metallic enclosure had not been bonded to earth — meaning it could become live with dangerous voltages if a fault occurred.

The court heard that Buchanan breached the electrical licensing regulations by not carrying out compulsory tests of the earthing system, which would have detected the hazard. In addition to this, his company committed an offence by submitting a notice of completion that incorrectly declared the electrical work was compliant.

At sentencing in September 2024, Buchanan and Buchanan Electrical Holdings were fined $8000 and $15000 respectively and ordered to pay costs of $527 each.

Magistrate Gregory Benn said he accepted Buchanan made an “honest error” and acknowledged his early guilty pleas, cooperation and improved work practices, but emphasised that non-compliance with the required standards could have “disastrous consequences”.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said this was a case that clearly showed why the checking and testing of electrical work is mandatory.

“This hazard would have been immediately obvious if tests were carried out, as required by law, instead of placing someone at risk of serious or fatal injury,” he said.

“It is very lucky the error was detected and rectified. The community rightly expects licensed electrical workers and electrical contractors to deliver safe and compliant work and follow the correct processes every time.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Nicola Forenza