$35K fine for wiring error

A WA couple were placed at risk of electric shock after an electrician’s wiring error left their home live with dangerous voltages for a week. The oversight has led to a combined $35,000 in fines for the electrical worker and his employer, GES (WA) Pty Ltd, following separate prosecutions by the state’s safety regulator Building and Energy.

Perth Magistrates Court heard that Johnston Gary Parker-Brooks was employed by GES as an electrician when he attended the elderly couple’s property in Gosnells to replace a deteriorating private power pole and install a new switchboard.

A randomised Western Power inspection a week later discovered that the submains neutral conductor was not connected to the property’s main switchboard. Without this neutral connection, exposed metallic parts of the home became live with dangerous voltages that could have caused serious injury or electrocution.

GES complied with an order to rectify the defect.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said it was incredibly fortunate that no one was injured by the electrified components at the home.

“The consequences could have been devastating, clearly showing why electrical work must be done correctly every time, including carrying out mandatory checks and tests,” Abdoolakhan said.

Parker-Brooks was sentenced on 11 October 2024 for breaching the regulations by not complying with the Australian wiring rules. He was fined $5000. While Magistrate Lynette Dias acknowledged his early guilty plea, remorse and cooperation, she emphasised the risks to the vulnerable residents or others at the home and noted the error was only discovered through a randomised inspection.

GES was fined $30,000 for the offence of signing off an official notice that incorrectly declared the electrical work was safe and compliant.

The company and Parker-Brooks were ordered to pay costs of $647.15 each.

“Electrical contractors must … ensure they have adequate processes and procedures in place to be confident that all electrical installing work is safe and compliant prior to signing off on this. There is no place for doubt or cutting corners when people’s lives could be at risk,” Abdoolakhan said.

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