Safety Alert 97 - Near Miss (Electric Shock)

Safety Alert

97 | Near Miss - Electric Shock

Date

October 2021

Description

An apprentice and a tradesperson were working on a Homeswest site in Bibra Lake, replacing the sockets and lighting throughout. At the start of the day an isolation procedure was discussed and implemented as part of the pre-start process.

They had completed the works and were carrying out the testing process when they noticed a GPO had not been upgraded and needed to be capped off with connectors and have a junction box installed. The tradesperson had instructed the apprentice to wait while they returned to the switchboard to isolate the power. The apprentice DID NOT participate in the isolation procedure, nor did they complete the Identify, Isolate and Test before Touching (IITT) checklist.

As it was near the end of the day, the apprentice wanted to get the task done in a timely manner and did not wait for the confirmation of isolation, or test using their volt stick (which was in their pocket) before proceeding with the task.

While carrying out the task, the apprentice picked up the cable close to the end. The cable was live and the copper touched causing an arch and tripping the RCD instantly.

The apprentice was unsure if an electrical shock had occurred. They were taken to the closest medical centre for an ECG and given the all clear.

Upon further investigation it has been proven that no electric shock occurred but this was a very close near miss incident.

Root Cause

1. Job/System factors:

• ​Inadequate work practice – by the tradesperson and the apprentice for not completing the isolation procedure together and ensuring all personal danger tags / lock outs were attached.

2. Personal factors:

• Improper motivation – moving ahead with tasks too quickly, thinking about the end of the day and not of the task at hand.
• Improper motivation – apprentices must complete the EGT IITT procedure prior to working on a circuit.

Contributing Factors

• Test Before you Touch – the apprentice did not follow the ‘test before you touch’ process, even though they had a volt stick on their person.
• Inadequate testing procedure – by the tradesperson and the apprentice for not completing the isolation procedure together and ensuring all personal danger tags / lock outs were attached.
• Time pressures – the incident occurred at the end of the workday and the apprentice rushed to complete the task.
• Communication – the apprentice did not wait for confirmation that isolation was in place as instructed.

Recommendations

• EGT apprentices are to ensure that the ‘test before you touch’ principles are followed prior to commencement of all work activities.
• EGT apprentices must ensure that they DO NOT work in the vicinity of live parts.
• EGT apprentices should ensure that circuits have been isolated by the tradesperson and participate in the process, including attaching a personal danger tag / lock outs (i.e. follow the steps of isolation as outlined in the IITT procedure).

Feedback

For further information regarding this Safety Alert, please contact EGT on (08) 6241 6100 or speak with your Field Officer.