Electric shock leads to $40K fine

WA utility Western Power has received a $40,000 fine for an oversight in its electrical testing processes that resulted in a Manning resident receiving an electric shock.

The incident took place in April 2022, when an electrical subcontractor was working on behalf of Western Power to install new tariff meters and convert overhead to underground electrical power.

At the affected property, an electrical worker completed a service connection test checklist form provided by Western Power. These tests are designed to check the wiring between the tariff meter, the metallic switchboard and the network to ensure occupants and property are protected when the electricity supply is restored.

Despite the test checklist having been completed, a resident at the home received an electric shock that evening while touching a bathroom tap. Fortunately, no injuries occurred.

An investigation later revealed the tests specified on Western Power’s form failed to detect a hazardous load neutral voltage, meaning the current was flowing through earthed metallic parts of the property rather than through the neutral conductors. This caused metal components at the home to become live.

At Perth Magistrates Court, prosecutors for WA safety regulator Building and Energy stated that Western Power’s service connection test form did not include an electrical neutral integrity test, which is considered a definitive method for identifying the neutral fault that occurred at the home.

On 13 September 2024, the network operator pleaded guilty to failing to develop, implement and maintain adequate work practices as required by the Electricity (Network Safety) Regulations 2015.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said the hazardous voltages could have caused serious or fatal injuries, as well as property damage or fire.

“It is incredibly lucky that the occupant of the home was unharmed,” he said.

“Western Power has previous convictions for instances in which deficiencies in the form led to inadequate testing and risk to consumers, including an electric shock in Kingsley and damaged appliances in Lancelin.

“Western Power has recently advised me that it has now taken adequate corrective actions and included the electrical neutral integrity test as a key requirement for service connections.”

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