Energy Safe Victoria is investigating the cause of an electrical arc event that resulted in an electrical worker sustaining serious burns.

The 29-year-old electrical worker made contact with live electrical parts on high-voltage equipment while undertaking cleaning at a Burwood East building on Saturday, 22 July. Energy Safe chief executive Leanne Hughson says it was disappointing to see two incidents that left electrical workers in hospital in the same month.

“It appears both incidents could have been avoided if safety precautions had been properly followed at each of the respective sites before work commenced,” Energy Safe chief executive officer Leanne says.

“Hopefully, they can serve as important reminders for electricians and supervisors to ensure that worksites are safe.”

The electrical worker had been carrying out annual maintenance and cleaning on 22kV switchboards which had been de-energised. Before starting work, the electrician had turned off the power to the property via the circuit breakers but did not remove the service fuse.

He was hospitalised soon after with burns to his hand, arms and face.

In another incident that occurred on 4 July, an electrician was hospitalised with burns after he pierced a live cable with his pliers at a residential property in Clifton Hill, causing an explosion and resulting in burns on his left hand.