Qld tragedy prompts warning from regulator

WorkSafe Queensland has issued a caution to electrical workers following a tragic incident in 2024. The incident occurred when an electrical worker was upgrading a split air-conditioning system located on the metal roof of a commercial building.

The worker had completed the installation of the compressor unit, mounted the base of the isolating switch, and re-routed several thermoplastic-sheathed (TPS) cables into the switch enclosure.

Then, the worker fitted an unswitched socket outlet to one of the TPS cables — with a view to providing a temporary power source to which they could connect a vacuum pump. The socket outlet was not fixed in position and the temporary set-up presented accessible single insulated conductors.

After re-energising the circuit, the worker returned to the work area and subsequently came into contact with an exposed, energised conductor, resulting in a fatal electric shock. The air-conditioning final sub-circuit on which they were working did not require RCD protection.

WorkSafe said the tragic incident underscored the importance of carefully managing task sequences to prioritise electrical safety at every stage — and the significant risks of working on or near exposed energised parts.

The organisation urged electrical workers to never assume a set-up was safe, and to always test before touching. It stressed that safety switches save lives and that, when it comes to electrical safety, there is no such thing as temporary electrical work.

The regulator noted that the circumstances in which the incident occurred are yet to be confirmed, with investigations continuing into the exact cause.

WorkSafe Qld has detailed information on its website about reducing the risk of electric shock.

Image credit: iStock.com/bancha singchai. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.