Electrical licensing disciplinary action
In August 2025, the Electrical Licensing Committee took disciplinary action against six licence holders:
- An electrical worker performed electrical work which included upgrades to an incoming consumer mains and switchboard, and testing and fault finding due to the RCD tripping.
Because of the performance of the electrical work, specifically, the removal of RCD protection from the lighting final subcircuit, a person was not electrically safe. The work performed failed to ensure compliance with essential safety provisions, resulting in an installation that exposed persons to serious electrical risk.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to suspend the electrical work licence effective immediately. The worker must complete a competency assessment prior to the suspension being lifted. The worker was issued a reprimand and a $4,000 penalty.
The Electrical Licensing Committee also decided to disqualify the electrical work licence holder from being a qualified technical person (QTP) for the holder of an electrical contractor licence for a period of ten (10) years.
A recommendation was made to the Electrical Safety Office that the penalty and reprimand be included on the licensing public register and remain on the register for three (3) years.
- An electrical contractor performed electrical work performed electrical work which included upgrades to an incoming consumer mains and switchboard and testing and fault finding due to the RCD tripping.
Because of the performance of the electrical work, specifically, the removal of RCD protection from the lighting final subcircuit, a person was not electrically safe. The work performed failed to ensure compliance with essential safety provisions, resulting in an installation that exposed persons to serious electrical risk.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to disqualify the electrical contractor licence effective immediately. The contractor was notified that the disqualification will be lifted once conditions are complied with. The contractor must complete an approved electrical safety system audit from an independent auditor within six months. The contractor was issued with a reprimand and a $4,000 penalty.
A recommendation was made to the Electrical Safety Office that the penalty and reprimand be included on the licensing public register and remain on the register for three (3) years.
- An electrical worker performed and supervised electrical work which included the isolation of relevant circuits, the removal of existing 240-volt smoke alarms and the re-installation of new 240-volt smoke alarms.
The worker failed to ensure that, before electrical work was carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment was tested to decide whether or not it is energised.
As a result of this failure an electrical apprentice has contacted an energised part in the process of replacing a smoke alarm and received an electric shock.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical work licence, effective immediately. The worker was instructed to complete training in competency units and training in mentoring an apprentice or trainee, within three months. The worker was issued with a caution and a $500 penalty.
- An electrical contractor performed electrical work which included the isolation of relevant circuits, the removal of existing 240-volt smoke alarms and the re-installation of new 240-volt smoke alarms.
The electrical contractor, in the process of replacing these smoke alarms, have failed to ensure that, before electrical work is carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment is tested by a competent person to decide whether or not it is energised.
The electrical contractor failed to ensure that apprentices do not perform electrical work that is outside the scope of their training permit.
As a result of this failure an electrical apprentice has contacted an energised part in the process of replacing a smoke alarm and received an electric shock.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical contractor licence, effective immediately. The contractor must complete an approved electrical safety system audit from an independent auditor within six months. The contractor was issued with a reprimand and with a $4,000 penalty.
- An electrical worker performed performed and supervised electrical work at a private residence. This electrical work included the replacement of existing white socket outlets with black socket outlets throughout the media room.
The electrical worker failed to ensure that, before electrical work is carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment is tested to decide whether or not it is energised.
As a result of this failure an electrical apprentice has contacted an energised conductor when replacing a socket outlet and received an electric shock. The apprentice was transported to hospital for observation.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical work licence, effective immediately. The worker was instructed to complete training in competency units within three months. The worker was issued with a caution and a $200 penalty.
- An electrical contractor performed and supervised electrical work at a private residence. This electrical work included the replacement of existing white socket outlets with black socket outlets throughout the media room.
The electrical contractor failed to ensure that, before electrical work is carried out on electrical equipment, the equipment is tested by a competent person to decide whether or not it is energised.
As a result of this failure an electrical apprentice has contacted an energised conductor when replacing a socket outlet and received an electric shock. The apprentice was transported to hospital for observation.
The Electrical Licensing Committee decided to include conditions on the electrical contractor licence, effective immediately. All QTP’s must complete mandatory training within three months, and the contractor must complete an approved electrical safety system audit from an independent auditor within six months.
The contractor was issued with a caution and with a $200 penalty. This is in addition to receiving a penalty of $3600 issued by the Electrical Safety Office.
The Committee’s actions were in addition to fines and notices already issued by the Electrical Safety Office.