Safety alert for working near energised electrical parts: fatality

A 26-year-old worker was electrocuted in an industrial workplace incident in Glenella, Mackay, on 30 April. It is believed the man was working with a mobile transformer at the time.

The incident is currently being investigated by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the Electrical Safety Office.

A safety alert has been issued for organisations to consider the effectiveness of their safety management systems in preventing a similar incident in their workplace.

The alert targets those who work near energised electrical parts reminding workers that in some circumstances the risks of carrying out electrical work near exposed energised parts can be just as great as working on energised electrical parts.

Where it is reasonably practicable to do so, WorkSafe Queensland states it is advisable to turn off power to the adjacent parts to eliminate the risk. If this is not practicable, workers are advised to minimise the risk, which may involve a single control measure or a combination of two or more different controls.

WorkSafe Queensland states the following factors may be taken into account in assessing risks:

• Type of work carried out and tools or equipment used.
• Proximity of the work to energised parts.
• The types of tools and equipment used in the work, particularly the conductive properties of tools.
• Environmental conditions such as confined space, wet surfaces or unfavourable weather.
• Assessing the need to repair equipment while it remains energised, such as cleaning a low-voltage switch room.
• Work that may impose additional risks, such as welding or grinding, that could damage adjacent electrical lines or equipment.

Workers are advised to work through the hierarchy of controls to choose the control that most effectively eliminates or minimises the risk.

For further information on electrical safety, visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au.

Image credit: ©Igor/Dollar Photo Club.