New on-the-spot fines for safety breaches around powerlines

The Queensland government has introduced two new on-the-spot fines to make sure employers take steps to keep workers safe around powerlines. The move follows nine serious electrical incidents in the past 12 months.

To improve safety, the Queensland government has amended the State Penalties and Enforcement Regulation 2014 to include two new infringement notices for working near overhead or underground powerlines. Government inspectors can now issue on-the-spot fines of up to $3000 to businesses who fail to identify risks and implement appropriate control measures.

The Electrical Safety Office has worked cooperatively with Energy Queensland to produce industry-specific guidance materials. These guides practically assist employers in developing safe systems of work, educating their workers and contractors and, importantly, keeping workers and any equipment they are using outside the exclusion zone.