ECA News | Perth Electrician Fined $15,000 for Hazardous Installation
A Perth electrician has been fined $15,000 after failing to properly protect switchboard components at a Mt Lawley home, posing serious risks of injury or electrocution. Gregory Craig Jason Briffa, operating under BMI Technologies, pleaded guilty to two offences under Western Australia’s electricity licensing regulations.
In Perth Magistrates Court, it was revealed that Briffa neglected to earth a metal enclosure, known as a din kit, in the consumer’s switchboard. This failure could prevent circuit protection devices from operating correctly during faults, potentially causing the switchboard's metal parts to become dangerously live.
On May 24, 2024, Briffa was fined $12,500 for the non-compliant work and an additional $2,500 for submitting an inaccurate notice of completion. Costs amounting to $405.30 were also awarded. Magistrate Richard Huston acknowledged Briffa’s early guilty plea, remorse, and subsequent training but emphasized the critical importance of electricians maintaining high standards to avoid fatal accidents.
WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, highlighted the incident as a stark reminder of the obligations of electrical workers. "No matter your experience in the industry, there is no room for complacency. Thoroughly checking and testing your work is non-negotiable," he stated. Abdoolakhan noted the fortunate selection of this installation for a risk-based compliance inspection, which helped rectify the potentially life-threatening situation.
