June 3, 2025

Safety Alert 123 - Electric Shocks

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

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