South West electrician cops steep fine for dodgy work at Scott River power grid

A South West electrician has copped $11,000 in penalties for dangerous work undertaken in Scott River. A spent conviction meant the Perth Magistrate’s Court did not name the business that nearly caused an explosion in March 2021 while working on a standalone power system prosecutors alleged could have caused a hydrogen explosion. The court was told the electrician attended a property in Scott River East to install inverter chargers in an off-grid system, but did not comply with electrical wiring rules to protect against ignition near where explosive gases could be produced by a bank of rechargeable vented lead-acid batteries. The court found the contractor also submitted an incorrect compliance notice. Magistrate Andrew Maughan ordered the electrician pay a global fine of $8000 and $2982.30 in costs. He noted the operator had no previous convictions. However, the magistrate said the steep fine showed trade workers had to accept the risk of serious injuries from hazards and work not properly undertaken. He also said the incorrect notice charge was a serious matter due to the diligence expected in self-regulation. WA Energy Safety director Saj Abdoolakhan said it was “pure luck” the gas did not ignite from the exposed batteries.