Hazardous theatre lights recalled

A recall has been issued for a range of portable theatre lights sold in WA.

According to the state’s electrical safety regulator, they could put users at risk of electric shock.

Building and Energy is reminding suppliers and retailers that they must have adequate documentation to show that electrical appliances they sell comply with applicable Australian standards.

Building and Energy electrical inspectors found three luminaire models were not electrically safe — AVE Tri-Flat RGB LED PAR, AVE PAR 64 and CR Lite Slim PAR 56 LED.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety has issued a prohibition notice to stop the sale of the AVE Tri-Flat and CR Lite models in the state. The WA retailers have complied with the order and are notifying customers who purchased the lights.

Melbourne-based supplier AVECorp has since issued a wide-ranging recall of several of its luminaire models including the PAR 64.

Building and Energy has also notified Energy Safe Victoria about the issues.

WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said the unsafe design of the lights exposed users to electric shock risks from live wires carrying 240 volts.

“The back of one light is easily removable without any tools — it can simply be unclipped to reveal the live components inside,” Abdoolakhan said.

“The other products have gaps in the protective casing, as well as metal bolts and brackets that are dangerously positioned and could become electrified.

“The conductors inside are not double-insulated and there is no earth pin to protect the metal components. Some models were also missing key product information.”

Abdoolakhan reminded suppliers and retailers of their obligations to ensure they have accurate and credible evidence of the electrical safety of their products.

“The responsibility is at all levels in the supply chain, so a retailer or supplier cannot simply rely on information from the importer or manufacturer,” he said.

“It’s important to check that the electrical safety documentation is from a reliable source and actually corresponds to the specific product.

“Also remember that electrical safety standards vary between countries, so approval and compliance in one area — such as a CE mark for Europe — doesn’t necessarily mean it meets Australian requirements.”

Depending on an item’s classification, it may have a regulatory compliance mark (RCM) — a tick inside a triangle — showing approval for use in Australia through the Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS). If an appliance has an RCM, sellers should also confirm that the product is listed on the EESS database or linked to an EESS-registered responsible supplier.

Consumers who wish to check if their stage lights are subject to a recall or prohibition notice should contact the seller in the first instance or view the list of affected AVE products at avecorp.com.au/ave-product-recall.