The Resources Regulator in NSW has published a safety bulletin, reporting that since January, there were 15 electric shock incidents notified to the Regulator in a five-month period. This is a substantial increase on the previous 12 months, and the trend has also seen an increase in apprentices suffering electric shocks.
The Regulator has made a number of recommendations including that mine operators and other persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) should assess their electrical engineering control plans to confirm the existing safeguards against electric shock are suitable for the specific tasks being carried out. This assessment should include an evaluation of how well these risk controls are being applied. Guidance on these matters can be found in the Code of practice: Electrical engineering control plan.
Read the full safety bulletin (PDF, 1.03 MB) and watch the supporting video.
