$930,000 in fines after young apprentice electrocuted

Jun 30, 2025 | Safety News

WorkSafe Victoria is urging businesses to review safety procedures after a 21-year-old apprentice electrician was fatally electrocuted while working unsupervised on a lift in West Melbourne. Two related elevator companies were fined a total of $930,000 for multiple safety breaches.

Key Points

  • Hazards Identified: 

    • Performing electrical work without proper isolation procedures
    • Allowing unlicensed individuals to carry out electrical tasks
    • Lack of effective supervision for apprentices

  • Contributing Factors:

    • Failure to de-energise and lock out electrical circuits before maintenance
    • Inadequate enforcement of safe work systems
    • Assigning high-risk tasks to unqualified personnel

  • Legal Duties: Employers must provide and maintain safe systems of work, ensuring that employees are not exposed to health and safety risks, as required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and associated regulations.

Safety Tips

  • Always de-energise and lock out switchboards or circuits before commencing electrical work
  • Test for live circuits to confirm de-energisation before starting or resuming work
  • Develop and adhere to Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for tasks involving electrical hazards
  • Ensure apprentices are effectively supervised by qualified personnel
  • Reschedule work if power cannot be safely isolated

Employer Responsibilities

  • Identify and assess risks associated with electrical work
  • Implement and enforce safe work systems, ensuring only licensed electricians perform electrical tasks
  • Provide adequate supervision and training for apprentices and other workers
  • Consult with employees and safety representatives on risk controls and safety procedures

Employee Responsibilities

  • Follow all site-specific safe work procedures and SWMS
  • Only perform tasks for which you are trained and authorised
  • Report any unsafe conditions or practices immediately
  • Use provided safety controls and personal protective equipment (PPE)

Every action matters. Prioritise safety when performing electrical work. One oversight can lead to tragedy.