Electrical Accidents in NSW 2009 to 2010
Fatal accidents summary
There were five deaths from electric shock reported for the period July 2009 to June 2010.
In 2009 - 2010 the typical electrical fatality occurred at home and involved a male of average age 41. In
previous years fatalities occurred predominantly in summer. However in this period, two deaths
occurred in Spring, one in Summer and two in Autumn. Four of the five victims ignored the danger of
nearby exposed ‘live’ electrical parts.
Deaths from electric shock 2009 - 2010
Ref
Victim’s
age
Gender
Date of
accident
Location
of
accident
At
work?
Description of
accident
Contributing
factors
1
30
M
20/09/09
Tenterfield
No
Lifted aluminium
irrigation pipe and
contacted live
overhead supply
lines.
- Unsafe practice
2
55
M
27/11/09
Punchbowl
No
Carrying out
alteration to live
wiring in roof
space.
- Working live
- Unsafe practice
- No safety switch
- not licensed
3
25
M
5/12/09
Newtown
Yes
Waiter received
fatal shock from
wiring in café
kitchen.
- Illegal wiring
- No safety switch
4
71
M
10/03/10
Port
Macquarie
No
Home owner
contacted live
terminal at rear of
wall switch.
- Working live
- Unsafe practice
- No safety switch
5
22
M
28/03/10
Port
Kembla
No
While renovating,
touched exposed
live parts of
lampholder.
- Working live
- Unsafe practice
- No safety switch
Note – above table may be updated as findings of NSW Coroner’s Court become available.
© State of New South Wales through Fair Trading, March 2011
Statistics of Electrical fatalities in NSW for the past 25 years is depicted in the graph below.
Electrical Fatalities in NSW
35
Deaths
30
Deaths per
million persons
Trend line
25
20
15
10
5
/0
9
/0
8
/0
7
/0
6
/1
0
09
08
07
06
/0
5
05
/0
3
/0
2
/0
1
/0
0
/9
9
/9
8
/0
4
04
03
02
01
00
99
98
/9
6
/9
5
/9
4
/9
7
97
96
95
94
/9
2
/9
3
93
92
91
/9
0
/9
1
90
89
/8
8
/8
9
88
87
/8
7
86
85
/8
6
0
Financial Year
Non fatal accidents summary
From July 2009 to June 2010, 51 accidents involving electricity were reported. Of the 51, 21 electric
shocks requiring medical attention or time off work were reported. An additional 30 accidents occurred
where there was a serious potential for injury. All accidents involved males.
Description of victim
Male
Female
Total
Emergency services
Licensed electrician
Network operator personnel
Other/general public
Other electrical personnel
Total
Number
51
0
51
0
4
11
35
1
51
Source of accident
Consumer appliances
Consumer fixed wiring
Consumer accessories
Switchboard
Network operator appliances, tools, accessories
Network operator
underground cable
Network operator
overhead line
Network operator sub-station
Network operator other
Total
Number
0
2
2
1
1
12
26
2
5
51
© State of New South Wales through Fair Trading, March 2011
Location of accident
Indoors
Outdoors
Total
Urban
Rural
Total
At work
Other than work
Total
Number
5
46
51
36
15
51
36
15
51
Victim’s average age (where known) = 40 years
Number of victims requiring medical treatment = 19 victims
Prevention measures
Do not undertake ‘do it yourself’ electrical work. All work must be carried out by a licensed
electrician. Electricity can kill if used incorrectly. Electricity is invisible and gives no warning.
‘Do not work live!’ Safe work procedures are essential for all electrical workers. Risk assessment,
isolation, testing and use of safety equipment are all necessary.
‘Safety switches save lives.’ Since 1991, the installation of safety switches on power circuits has been
mandatory in new homes and additions. Since 2000, it has been mandatory on both lighting and power
circuits of new houses and additions. Their installation is strongly recommended in existing houses;
however safety switches must be regarded as an addition to, not a substitute for, maintaining the safety
of the installation. Safety switches must be tested regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Observe and obey electrical hazard warning notices and entry prohibited notices. Unauthorised
entry into restricted areas is illegal and can be fatal.
‘Look up and live’ when working near overhead lines. Electricity can spark across a gap, so don’t
take a risk, stay well away from overhead lines and substation equipment.
Make sure electrical equipment and installations are regularly checked and maintained and used
properly to ensure safety. The Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2004 prescribes a maximum penalty of
$55,000 for corporations and $16,500 for individuals who allow an installation to become unsafe.
Follow WorkCover NSW’s ‘testing and tagging’ procedure to ensure compliance with legislation.
Refer to the WorkCover NSW web site at www.workcover.nsw.gov.au for details.
© State of New South Wales through Fair Trading, March 2011