ELECTRICAL contractor Jeremy Paul Blakiston Fowler, previously trading as Electro Power Services, has been fined $10,000 after a 2006 incident in which a worker was shocked by high voltage power lines.
In May 2006, Western Power contracted Outback Power Services to perform works and construct a voltage regulator at Eneabba. Electro Power Services was contracted by Outback Power Services to supervise the drilling works to be performed by a drilling contractor.
On 17 May 2006, Fowler and the drilling contractor were drilling holes beneath power lines, using a drilling rig. However, the drilling contractor chose a position which required the mast to be raised very close to the power lines.
While repositioning the drilling rig, the mast tilted towards the power lines, and contact was made. The drilling contractor received an electric shock and was thrown backwards.
Electro Power Services had not held a formal pre-start meeting before the work commenced, and the drilling contractor was not given any directions for the work, except for the hole requirements.
Fowler had also failed to check whether the power lines were live. Because he was the person in control of the workplace, he had responsibility for the drilling contractor’s safety.
WorkSafe WA says the case once again illustrated the vital importance of taking every possible precaution when working with or near electricity. 17 Western Australians have died as a result of electrocution in the past five years.
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