Safety Alert 123 - Electric Shocks

SAFETY ALERT 011122 Electric Shock

Following a prolonged period of electrical safety compliance, EGT has experienced an 
alarming cluster of three electrical shock incidents within a single week, part of four total 
incidents over the past two months. 

First Incident 

A fourth-year electrical apprentice received a shock while checking isolation before 
maintenance on hotel heating elements. The apprentice and tradesperson completed the 
testing in the first suite together, the apprentice was then left to continue with the scheduled 
maintenance while they completed the other suites. While using their tester on a GPO 
(known live source), the apprentice slipped past the guards and touched the end of the 
tester prong with their finger, resulting in an electric shock. 

Second Incident 

A fourth-year electrical apprentice was installing a new power outlet (GPO) and data socket 
at a school. The apprentice forgot to request isolation before terminating cables and has 
used their hands to start the twist on the active conductor resulting in an electric shock. The 
apprentice reported being distracted by personal issues that may have contributed to the 
incident.

Third Incident 

A third-year electrical apprentice received a shock while fixing a hard-wired oven fault. After 
installing the oven and running tests, the apprentice was closing the isolator using insulated 
pliers. While leaning against a water cooler, the apprentice accidentally touched the noninsulated section of the pliers while they contacted the energised copper cable, creating a 
shock path from finger to arm through the water cooler.

Fourth Incident 

A second-year electrical apprentice received a shock while using a 240V core drill powered 
by a generator to drill holes in a concrete pit. After setting the drill down on wet sand and 
picking it up again, the apprentice felt a shock across their body (hand to hand). Despite the 
drill being double-insulated with plastic handles and the apprentice wearing gloves, 
investigators believe the wet sand created an electrical path from the drill's internals, over 
the casing, to ground. 


Remember your ABC – Assume nothing, Believe no-one, Check everything

 

Root Cause 

  1. Job/System Factors:
    Inadequate work practice – The tradesperson in the second and third incidents 
    should have followed proper isolation procedures.

  2. Inadequate work procedures:
    Improper procedure – The Test Before you Touch process was not followed. 
    Improper PPE - Insulated gloves must be worn when carrying out live tests

  3. Improper use of equipment:
    Although the drill used in the fourth incident used water to operate the drill, the drill 
    casing should be kept clean and dry to operate correctly. 

 

Contributing Factors 

  • Test Before you Touch – All EGT apprentices must ensure they test before they 
    touch.
  • Incorrect isolation
    • In the second incident the area should have been isolated before starting 
      work, negating the risk of forgetting the step.
    • In the third incident the circuit should have been isolated after the live tests 
      were completed prior to working on the circuit again.
  • Incorrect supervision
    • See "Safe working guidelines for electrical workers and apprentices" section 
      6.6.1 - apprentices are only permitted to isolate or carry out live testing 
      under direct supervision in the final year of their apprenticeship. 

Recommendations

  • EGT apprentices are to ensure the “Test Before you Touch” process is followed prior 
    to commencement and re-commencement of all work activities.
  • EGT apprentices must ensure that they DO NOT work in the vicinity of live parts.
  • EGT apprentices should ensure circuits have been isolataed by the tradesperson and 
    participate in the process including attaching a personal Tag and Lock when possible 
    (follow steps of isolation in the IITT).
  • EGT apprentices should take care when using power tools and be situationally aware 
    when using them.
  • ECG apprentices should always use correct PPE for the task at hand. 

 

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

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