Other industries

A 28-year-old worker sustained fatal injuries after becoming caught in an organic waste grinder while carrying out wood chipping activities. The worker was feeding wood chips into the grinder using a front-end loader with the grinder being operated by remote control from inside the front-end loader cabin. For reasons unknown, the worker has left the front-end loader with the milling heads of the grinder still running and became caught in the grinder. This is the second fatality in NSW in just over 12 months involving wood chipping activities.

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with wood chipping activities. You must make sure:

• safe working zones are set up around any machinery prior to work commencing
• all moving parts are adequately guarded. All guards are in place and secure to prevent access to moving parts
• workers are trained and competent to operate machinery
• operators are not wearing anything that could be dragged into the machine or could catch on material being dragged into the machine, such as loose-fitting clothes, watches, gloves, etc
• machinery is always operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
• any machinery comes to a complete stop, and is isolated, before attempting to clean or clear any blockages
• machinery is never left unattended while in operation
• appropriate PPE is always worn.

More information

• Amenity tree industry – Code of practice (PDF 1.6MB)
• Australian Standard AS 4024.3701:2020 Forestry Machinery – Wood chippers - Safety
• Guide to managing risks of tree trimming and removal work

A 35-year-old chef was preparing food in the kitchen of a restaurant when he was burned by hot cooking oil.

Another worker was carrying a 20-litre pot of hot cooking oil through the kitchen when the pot slipped from his hand and doused the worker’s trousers in hot oil.

The worker suffered second degree burns to approximately 20% of his body including his back, buttocks, leg and foot.

_{The deep fryer and the shelf beneath the grill where the oil from the fryer is stored.}

Safety information

You must consider reasonably practicable control measures to manage the risks associated with working with hot oil such as:

• buying a fully enclosed system
• leaving the oil to cool in the fryer overnight before draining
• using barriers to prevent other workers from working or walking near the area
• providing appropriate equipment and PPE
• developing and implementing procedures to safely empty and dispose of the oil
• ensuring workers are provided with appropriate training, instruction, information and supervision about the system of work.

More information

• SafeWork Australia model code of practice ’How to manage work health and safety risks’
• Working with hot oil safety alert

Read the latest incident information releases

A 24-year-old electrician received a potentially fatal electric shock while testing a transformer. He contacted exposed conductors as voltages were applied to the transformer.

His co-workers used an automatic external defibrillator (AED) device to revive the worker before he was taken to hospital.

Transformer

Safety information

Electrocution is the second leading cause of death in the construction industry.

Electrical work must be carried out by a licensed electrician, who has the necessary training, tools, equipment and experience for the task.

In NSW, it’s prohibited to work on live electrical equipment unless one or more exceptions apply.

The Code of practice for managing electrical risks in the workplace outlines when working live is permitted, and how to do it. Working de-energised eliminates significant electrical risks.

When voltages are applied to electrical equipment, or measured, make sure:

• no-one can accidentally make contact with exposed components
• a safe work method statement outlines the hazards, risks and control measures
• workers use tools, test equipment and PPE properly
• an emergency plan is prepared

More information

• Code of practice for managing electrical risks in the workplace
• Electrical safety video
• Electrical work guidance material

A 64-year-old worker died after an electric industrial gate weighing nearly 260kg fell on him as he was trying to manually open it. The gate and surrounding fencing had been damaged and was yet to be fully repaired.

This is the third serious incident in NSW in the past five years involving industrial gates falling onto workers - and the second fatality.

Gate involved in incident

Safety information

Electric gates can breakdown for several reasons, such as damage to the gate leaf or support post, or wear and tear of the drive mechanism, stoppers or rails.

Worn or broken stoppers can allow the gate to travel off the end of the track and fall. Broken support posts or guides can also allow a gate to fall.

When the drive mechanism is disconnected some features on the gate don’t work, such as:

• the anti-collision function – the gate can now open into something and crush it
• the travel limiters – you’re now relying on physical stoppers to stop the gate over-travelling
• the gate speed control – it can now run into the stoppers too quickly and they can break.

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with electric gates.You must:

• make sure the gate is installed by a competent person
• use a safe system of work when installing or replacing the gate, to prevent it falling
• engage a competent person, such as a mechanic or engineer, to regularly inspect and maintain the gate, including the drive mechanism, stoppers, posts, rails and tracks.

If the drive mechanism stops working:

• only disconnect it if it’s safe to do so, and only so you can secure the gate
• make sure the gate can be supported in its track by the posts and/or guides
• secure the gate in an open or closed position, and have a competent person complete the repairs as soon as possible
• put up a sign advising the gate is not working
• don’t use the gate manually – it’ll create wear and tear on the stoppers.

If you must use the gate manually, do a risk assessment and develop a safe system of work – and make sure everyone knows how to do it safely.

More information

• Worker crushed by falling gate [WA government Safety Alert]
• Electric sliding gate video - safety alert (YouTube video)
• Code of practice for managing the risks of plant in the workplace [PDF 2.1MB]
• Code of practice for managing the work environment and facilities [PDF 409KB]

There have been four serious incidents involving tree work in NSW over the past five weeks. Every year, workers are seriously injured or killed while doing tree work.

Kosciuszko National Park

A 47-year-old worker suffered serious head and spinal injuries when a large branch pierced his helmet and knocked him to the ground as he was felling a tree in remote, steep terrain.

Kosciuszko scene

Wollongong

A tree worker suffered serious injuries after falling about eight metres while preparing to cut overhanging branches on a neighbouring property. He was wearing a work positioning harness with only one point of attachment - a flip line detached from the harness.

Hawkesbury

While doing tree work at a property in Wilberforce, a rope caught on a tree branch was pulled into a woodchipper. The rope was also looped around a worker’s leg and caused a serious leg injury. The worker’s son suffered head and facial injuries from material ejected from the chipper.

Wilberforce scene

Newcastle

An arborist suffered spinal injuries when he fell nearly five metres while pruning a paperbark tree using climbing techniques. His pole belt was attached to a vertical branch and climbing rope attached within a fork on the same branch, above his head. As he reached across to prune the branches, the climbing line loaded with his weight, and the branch snapped.

Newcastle scene

Safety information

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with tree work.

Before tree work commences:

• make sure competent workers plan and prepare their work method after inspecting the site and assessing the trees for bark, dead branches, hollows, crown entanglement and the like
• consult with workers to determine the best control measures and document the safe work method to manage the risks
• train the workers in emergency rescue plans, including aerial rescue procedures
• make sure there are clear access routes, exclusion zones and traffic management plans
• consider using elevated work platforms (EWP) to minimise the risk of falls
• make sure workers can communicate with two-way radios, whistles or signal systems.

If a tree is not felled from the ground, conduct a site-specific risk assessment to help you decide the safest way of accessing the tree which may include the use of an EWP, a crane or climbing.

If you must climb a tree, make sure:

• you use a rope climbing system, secured somewhere in the tree, which can withstand the forces of a fall
• you have two points of attachment to the tree at all times, particularly while cutting or moving within the tree - use a flip line and a climbing rope.

For all types of tree work, make sure:

• you reassess and replan whenever new or unforeseen circumstances arise
• a spotter is used to alert the tree worker of any hazards using the agreed communication system
• plant and equipment are used according to the manufacturer’s recommendations - eg within gradient limitations and on firm ground
• workers are trained as frequently as necessary to remind them of the risks and controls.

When using a woodchipper:

• do pre-start checks to make sure everything works properly, including emergency stops and control bar
• make sure nothing is entangled in material before it’s fed into the woodchipper
• establish exclusion zones around the woodchipper
• keep unnecessary ropes away from the work area
• operate according to manufacturer’s instructions
• make sure there are always at least two competent workers who have specific training on the machine being used
• feed branches off the centre line - the operator feeding the branches into the woodchipper should do so from the side
• use a ‘push-stick’ at least 1.5 metres long to feed shorter material into the machine
• stop the rollers before reaching into the chute
• make sure it's never left unattended while operating.

More information

• Code of practice for amenity tree work
• Guidance material on tree work
• Tree work self-assessment checklist
• Tree work industry action plan
• Tree work action plan: outcomes

A zookeeper suffered serious head and neck injuries at a south coast zoo after being attacked by two adolescent male lions after entering the lion enclosure.

Enclosure where incident occurred

Safety information

When working in a zoo, wildlife park or mobile exhibit, such as a circus, you must manage the risks when working with animals.

Make sure:

• the animal can’t escape from its enclosure
• gates/doors/slides and other entry devices in enclosure boundaries are secure and safe
• the animal can be safely confined in its main enclosure or holding facility, when access to either section is required
• all gates/doors/slides and other entry devices are designed and maintained so the animal can’t damage or unfasten the securing device
• the control mechanism for gates/doors/slides and other entry mechanisms are in an area where the animal is unable to contact the person operating the controls
• locks used in carnivore enclosures only allow removal of the key once the lock is secured
• animal service areas near carnivore enclosures have appropriate warning signs
• a high-pressure water hose or fire extinguisher (CO2 type) for animal control is close to the enclosure
• you have an emergency plan.

Carnivorous animals must be supervised by a properly trained person who can:

• safely handle and restrain the animal
• minimise the likelihood of an attack on keepers, other members of staff, and members of the public
• minimise the animal’s stress
• provide the animal an adequate diet
• recognise aberrant behaviour and indicators of ill health
• use a firearm in emergencies.

All carnivorous animals must be removed from their enclosure before anyone goes into that enclosure, due to their potential danger to humans. This doesn't apply when:

• they're tame and present no risk
• they weigh less than 20kg
• they're anaesthetised
• they're restrained
• people viewing from a vehicle are protected from contact with the animal
• an animal trainer enters an enclosure to train or perform with them, according to relevant safe work method statements, risk assessments, and other work health and safety obligations.

When feeding, handling and training potentially dangerous animals, don't handle them inappropriately, or put yourself or others in dangerous situations.

More information

• Standards for exhibiting carnivores in NSW
• General standards for exhibiting animals in NSW
• Australian animal welfare standards and guidelines
• Guide to managing hazards and risks
• Guide to emergency plans

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has made a significant contribution to the development of this incident information release.

Date of incident: 6 May 2020

A 60-year-old worker was crushed and died after becoming trapped between the arm of a vehicle-loading crane and the truck it was mounted on. The incident occurred as the crane was lifting equipment onto the back of the truck and, although the emergency stop was activated, the worker couldn’t be freed until emergency services arrived.

You must implement ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with using vehicle-loading cranes.

Make sure:

• you choose the right equipment for the job and only use it for the purpose it was designed
• you follow the manufacturer’s guide for inspections, maintenance and testing
• any inspection, maintenance or testing is completed by a competent person
• fluid levels and pressures are correct, and any hydraulics are working correctly
• all operators are trained in how to use the crane, and hold a high-risk work licence for a vehicle-loading crane - class CV or one of the four slewing mobile crane classes - if the crane has a capacity of 10 metre tonnes or more
• there are no obstructions to the crane operator – they can see the load at all times during the lift; if the load is outside the operators view, the lifting process must be directed by a licensed dogger or rigger
• operational warning devices (where fitted) are automatically operated when the crane is in use
• emergency stops are located at each control station
• the crane is always level and only operated within its rated capacity
• outriggers are fully extended and located on pads or other support material
• you establish exclusion zones to separate people and moving plant.

Consider:

• using constant pressure controls, so operation stops when you release the controls
• using remote controls
• installing operational warning devices (audible alarm or flashing light) if not already provided
• installing slew limiters, to stop the boom hitting the operator
• installing physical barriers or guards to prevent access to dangerous parts
• providing controls that can only be operated from where the boom or load can’t be lifted over the operator.

More information

• Vehicle loading crane information sheet
• High risk work licensing for vehicle loading cranes
• Plant, machinery and equipment information
• Code of practice for managing the risks of plant in the workplace

Two workers were seriously burned when an 11kV electrical cable exploded while they were excavating a pit in Eastern Creek. The workers were excavating near live electrical services cabling. Both workers were wearing flash-proof clothing that reduced the exposure to the blast.

The site and excavation pit

The investigation

• SafeWork NSW inspectors responded to the incident.
• SafeWork NSW commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

Safety information

You must eliminate or minimise electrical risks, so far as is reasonably practicable.

In NSW, it’s prohibited to work on live electrical equipment unless one or more exceptions apply.

The code of practice for managing electrical risks in the workplace outlines when working live is permitted, and how to do it. Working de-energised eliminates significant electrical risks.

Before excavating:

• get asset plans and information from registered utilities and asset owners, such as dial before you dig
• ask the asset owner about specific conditions for any excavation work if you’re working near cables at or above 132kV – if so, the asset owner must supervise your work
• locate all underground electrical cables and, remember, inaccuracies can occur on plans:
  • look for signs of the services along the easement and ground
  • use an electronic cable locator or ground penetrating device
  • pothole using non-destructive methods, such as a vacuum
• contact the asset owner if any doubts exist – never assume depth or alignment
• develop safe systems of work and emergency procedures, and make sure all workers are trained
• be aware that certain work can only be done by authorised service providers
• communicate with all affected parties.

When excavating:

• provide supervision, and spotters where required
• install barriers around the work area to control risks to the public
• wear the appropriate personal protective equipment
• look for signs of services, including a change in soil type, cable bricks, locator tape or cable covers
• don’t use powered excavation (unless non-destructive) within:
  • 300mm of low voltage electrical cables – up to 1000 volts (1kV)
  • 600mm of electricity conductors from 11kV up to 33kV
• contact the asset owner to discuss any excavation work near high voltage electricity cables – from1kV up to 33kV
• only work within your designated authorised service provider qualifications.

On completion of the work:

• communicate again with all affected parties
• give asset plan updates and anomalies to the asset owner
• review your risk control measures and systems of work to identify improvements

'Test for 'dead' before you touch’, always.

More information

• Work near underground assets - Guide
• Electrical work guidance material
• Excavation work – code of practice
• Construction work – code of practice

Date of incident: 16 March 2020

A 24-year-old electrician suffered serious burns to his forearms, hands and face when he touched a live electrical circuit and caused an arc flash explosion. The incident took place at a data centre under construction in Macquarie Park.

• SafeWork NSW inspectors responded to the incident.
• SafeWork NSW commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

Safety information

Businesses are reminded of their duty to identify hazards and manage risks to health and safety in accordance with the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

This includes eliminating or minimising electrical risks, so far as is reasonably practicable.

In NSW, it’s prohibited to work on live electrical equipment unless one or more exceptions apply.

The Code of practice for managing electrical risks in the workplace outlines when working live in permitted, and how to do it.

Working de-energised eliminates significant electrical risks.

To isolate electrical supply, you must:

• consult with the person who manages or controls the workplace about timing of the work, and tell anyone who may be affected
• identify the circuit that needs to be isolated
• disconnect active conductors from the relevant source - there may be multiple sources - and stand-by systems, generators and photovoltaic systems, as well as auxiliary supplies, from other boards
• if a removable or rack-out circuit breaker or combined fuse switch is used, make sure it’s racked-out or removed, then locked open and danger tagged
• earth each high-voltage exposed part after proven de-energised
• lock the isolating switch, or remove and tie back relevant conductors, to protect those carrying out the electrical work
• tag the switching points, to provide general information to those at the workplace
• test that the relevant circuits have been de-energised, along with any other relevant conductors, and re-test as necessary.

'Test for 'dead' before you touch’, always.

Further information

• Electrical work guidance material
• Electrical safety video
• Electrical arc flash hazard management guideline

Download a PDF of this release

Date of incident: 15 January 2020

An 18-year-old apprentice auto electrician died after becoming trapped between the cab of a truck and its engine, at a workshop in Brocklehurst, north of Dubbo.

• SafeWork NSW inspectors responded to the incident.
• SafeWork NSW commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

Safety information

Businesses are reminded of their duty to identify hazards and manage risks to health and safety in accordance with the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working under an elevated truck cabin, which includes developing safe systems of work that makes sure:

• only a competent person carries out maintenance work under the cabin, according to manufacturer’s instructions
• a mechanical stop, such as a safety bar, or suitably designed prop or stand, is locked in position so that it won't move accidentally
• controls for raising and lowering the cabin are clearly marked and can’t be accidentally operated
• the system is isolated – eg the truck is turned off and the keys removed from the ignition
• hydraulics and mechanical parts are regularly inspected and maintained by a competent person
• worn or damaged parts are repaired or replaced
• workers are trained.

You must provide the necessary information, training and supervision to all your workers so they can perform their work safely. Training should be an ongoing process and, when young workers are involved, make sure you consider their:

• work experience and previous training
• ability to cope with unexpected, stressful situations
• knowledge and understanding of workplace rights and responsibilities
• willingness to speak up when they have an issue.

More information

• Checklist for training young workers
• Heavy vehicles or trailers hitting or crushing workers
• Young workers eToolKit 
• Isolation of plant fact sheet

Download a PDF of this release

Date of incident: 9 December 2019

Two workers suffered serious burns when a ring main unit (RMU) exploded while they were working on an electrical power distribution system in Port Macquarie.

• SafeWork NSW inspectors responded to the incident.
• SafeWork NSW commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

Safety information

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks when working with electricity. Make sure:

• work within an electricity substation and on high-voltage equipment is only performed by trained and authorised staff trained under a safety management system defined by the asset owner/operator
• the electricity network operator (ENO) has a safety management system that meets the requirements of the Electricity Supply (safety and network management) Regulation 2014
• the owner/operator of other high-voltage installations complies with the NSW service and installation rules and requirements of the ENO supplying the installation.

Further information

• IPART safety alert 191209-1
• Electrical work guidance material
• SafeWork NSW electrical safety video
• Code of practice for managing electrical risks in the workplace

Download a PDF of this release

Date of incident: 12 November 2019

A 24-year-old man was killed near Gundagai after being hit by the boom of a telehandler, while riding outside the cabin.

• SafeWork NSW inspectors responded to the incident.
• SafeWork NSW commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

Safety information

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working on, or near, mobile plant. Control measures include:

• not carrying passengers unless the plant is equipped to do so
• wearing a seatbelt
• putting exclusion zones around the plant when it’s operating
• having safe systems of work for the operation of the plant item
• training workers in the use of the plant item
• maintaining the plant according to manufacturer’s recommendations
• doing appropriate inspections – for cranes, follow AS2550.

Further information

• Code of practice – Managing the risk of plant in the workplace
• Code of practice – Moving plant on construction sites
• Safety alert – Working with or around mobile plant
• Plant: Your health and safety guide – WorkSafe Victoria

Download a PDF of this release

Date of incident: 23 October 2019

An electrician died after being electrocuted while servicing a 3-phase commercial dishwasher at a restaurant in Marrickville, Sydney.

• SafeWork NSW inspectors responded to the incident.
• SafeWork NSW commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.The investigation

Safety information

The regulation prohibits energised electrical work on electrical installations and appliances, except in specific circumstances.

And electrical work must only be carried out by a licensed electrician, who has the necessary training and experience to undertake the task.

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks of working with electrical wiring, including:

• checking equipment for damaged covers and cords, exposed wires, faulty power switches and circuit breakers, scorch marks and burning smells
• locating all sources of electricity to the equipment and property, including solar and battery storage systems – make sure all systems are isolated
• identifying hazards that may result from isolating the power
• switching off the power and locking the switch (or the meter box itself)
• testing before you touch.

Further information

• Electrical work
• Electrical safety video
• Code of practice for managing electrical risks in the workplace

Download a PDF of this release

Date of incident: 7 September 2019

Incident overview

A group of workers were felling branches and vegetation at a school in Lindfield. A male worker was feeding the branches into a wood-chipper when he was pulled into the machine, sustaining fatal injuries.

• SafeWork NSW inspectors responded to the incident and attended the site.
• SafeWork NSW has commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

Safety information

You must consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risk of tree trimming and removal work.

Control measures that may prevent a similar incident include:

• Conducting pre-start checks, to ensure equipment and systems are working correctly.
• Making sure nothing is entangled in material before it’s fed into the wood chipper.
• Keeping unnecessary ropes away from the work area.
• Ensuring emergency stops and control bar are functioning properly.
• Operating the wood chipper according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Ensuring teams consist of at least two competent workers, who have been given specific training on the individual machine being used
• Feeding branches off the centre line. Where reasonably practicable, the operator feeding the branches into the wood chipper should do so from the side.
• Using a ‘push-stick’ at least 1.5 metres long, to feed shorter material into the machine.
• Stopping the rollers before reaching into the chute.
• Making sure the wood-chipper is never left unattended while operating.

Further information

• Code of practice for the amenity tree industry
• Tree work webinar
• Guide to managing risks of tree trimming and removal work
• Tree work self-assessment checklist
• Safety alert – working safely with trees

Download a PDF of this release

Incident overview

Two workers were buried under a pile of landfill when an industrial compactor (weighing approximately 55 tonne) was moving material at a waste management facility in Eastern Creek. One worker was fatally injured and the other worker was taken to hospital with serious crush injuries.

Date of incident: 2 April 2019

Incident date

2/04/2019

Event

Contact with power lines

Location

Riverview

Incident Overview

A 39 year old electricity network linesman was working on overhead power lines from a truck mounted elevating work platform, when he came into contact with live power lines. He received a serious electric shock and lost consciousness. He was lowered to the ground by other workers. They performed CPR on the linesman including the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) until emergency services arrived. He was transported to hospital but later died as a result of the injuries sustained in the incident.

• SafeWork NSW Inspectors responded to the incident.
• SafeWork NSW has commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

Our Prosecution Guidelines (January 2018) outline our approach to prosecutions and Safe Work Australia’s National Compliance and Enforcement Policy provides guidance on their approach to compliance. These documents set out factors that will be considered in determining the investigative approach and appropriate outcome.

Safety Information

Electricity Network Operators are reminded of their duty to identify hazards and manage risks to health and safety in accordance with the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017. Businesses must also adhere to provisions of the Electricity Supply Act 1995 and Electricity Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2014 .

In particular, Electricity Network Operators, in managing electrical risks to health and safety, must:

• Eliminate the electrical risks to health and safety where reasonably practicable by de-energising the electrical supply, and
• If the above is not reasonably practicable, then the risk must be minimised, but not limited to doing one or more of the following:
  1. Substituting the hazardous work practice giving rise to the risk with something that gives rise to a lesser risk.
  2. Isolating the hazard from any person exposed to it – this includes covering all secondary contact points within reach with temporary insulating covers and securing these covers so they can’t be removed accidentally.
  3. Implementing engineering controls, including using an insulated elevating work platform and tools.

If a risk remains, then you must minimise the remaining risk, where reasonably practicable, by implementing administrative controls. This includes maintaining safe separation between the workers and live conductors that are not being worked on, even if they have temporary insulating covers.

A safety observer trained in rescue and resuscitation must be on site during work on live electrical equipment including overhead power lines.

Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) should be provided and used. This includes wearing low voltage insulating gloves and outer protective gloves on both hands. A detailed visual inspection and an air leak test must be conducted on the gloves before use.

Note

A combination of the controls set out in this IIR but not limited to, may be used to minimise risks, so far as is reasonably practicable, if a single control does not eliminate the risk.

The above risk control measures must be maintained and remain effective for the duration of the works. The risk control and treatment measures must also be reviewed and as necessary, revised to maintain, so far as reasonably practicable, a work environment that is without risks to health and safety.

Support for injured persons and family members affected by a serious workplace incident

Our Coordinator Family Liaison can provide information on counselling and other support to injured workers and to close family members when a relative has died or is seriously injured in the workplace.  Contact us on 13 10 50 or contact@safework.nsw.gov.au

The State Coroner's website has further information.

Further information

• Electricity Supply Act 1995
• Electricity Supply (Safety and Network Management) Regulation 2014.

About this information release

We have issued this information to draw attention to the occurrence of a fatality in the electricity supply industry. Investigations are ongoing and further information may be published as it becomes available.

The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. Users are reminded of the need to ensure any information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the currency of the information with the appropriate SafeWork NSW officer or the user’s independent adviser. No conclusions should be drawn from the information in this publication about the cause of the incident or the culpability of any party.

All photographs were taken by SafeWork NSW.

Incident date

Event

Location

Incident overview

A 31-year old male worker was undertaking excavation works using an electrical hammer drill to remove concrete which covered a shallow trench. The work was being undertaken near low voltage cables and an 11kv high voltage cable, all of which were energised at the time. The worker struck the 11kv cable and an arc flash occurred. He sustained serious burns to his upper body and face.

Over 13,600 homes were affected, with power restored to the majority of homes soon after the incident. The remaining homes were supplied with power from a generator until the damaged 11kV cable could be repaired.

SafeWork NSW, NSW Ambulance, NSW Police Force and the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (electricity supply regulator), responded to the incident. The worker was conveyed to hospital and is receiving treatment for his injuries.

The site is located at Bidwill, in Sydney’s West. Activities undertaken at the site included excavation work and the running of electrical cable inside the trench. The site was under the control of a contractor who had been engaged by the electrical network operator to undertake the works.

The investigation

• SafeWork NSW Inspectors responded to the incident.
• SafeWork NSW has commenced an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident.

Our Prosecution Guidelines outlines our approach to prosecutions and Safe Work Australia’s National Compliance and Enforcement Policy provides guidance on their approach to compliance. These documents set out factors that will be considered in determining the investigative approach and appropriate outcome.

Safety information

Businesses are reminded of their duty to identify hazards and manage risks to health and safety in accordance with the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

Each year, we respond to incidents where workers have been exposed to risks associated with working near underground electrical assets. Many of these incidents involve energised cables being struck by plant, which can result in serious injuries including burns, electric shock or death.

Businesses are reminded of their duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no person, plant or thing at the workplace comes within an unsafe distance of an underground electric line.

If it is not reasonably practicable to ensure the safe distance of a person, plant or thing from an underground electric line, you must make sure that:

• a risk assessment is conducted in relation to the proposed work
• the control measures implemented are consistent with the risk assessment and any requirements of the electrical network operator responsible for the electric line.

Being aware of the risk of electric shock or serious burns from striking live electricity cables while excavating is critical. When undertaking excavation works, know the environment, know your tools and equipment, and know the steps to take to get the job done safely and without causing damage.

If you don’t know, don’t dig, and follow the four P’s of safe excavation:

• Plan
• Pothole
• Protect
• Proceed.

Further information

The guide to working near underground assets has detailed information for businesses, workers, and other parties involved in construction work near underground assets.

Awareness video: Don’t Know Don’t Dig

Download a PDF of this release