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28 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON
W I N T E R 20 1 6
SHORT-CUTS LEAD TO
SHORT CIRCUITS
E
lectrical safety is one of the
most fundamental aspects of
what we do.
Indeed, from the very beginning when
we commence our apprenticeships,
we are taught about rudimentary dos
and don’ts and hear repeated lectures
on the risk of working with electrical
systems. Simple lessons around the
dangers of mixing electricity with water,
isolating circuits and de-energising
equipment before carrying out work
may seem obvious but they help build
the foundations of our knowledge and
understanding of workplace safety.
This understanding isn’t something
that can be acquired and moved
on from, it’s an ongoing process of
constant learning and reminding
yourself of strategies to minimise
these risks in the workplace.
We may be the experts when it
comes to the electrical world – but
even professionals make mistakes and
forget things from time to time.
When you’re time poor and under
the pump, it can be easy to let safety
fall by the wayside and the temptation
to take short cuts can be difficult to
resist! The truth is, slipping up on
safety is no laughing matter and can
result in electric shocks and even
death. Within the industry we are all
too often hearing about the passing
of electricians in horror accidents
in the news. Who could forget the
heartbreaking death of a 20-year-
old, father-of-one from Cairns, who
was electrocuted four years ago
while installing data cables at a local
school? More recently, in March this
year, an electrician in his 30s was
found dead in the roof of a suburban
Perth apartment. In fact, in Western
Australia, for example, workplace
fatalities make up approximately 46%
of all deaths and almost half of these
deaths are electrical workers.
While we all like to think we have
a thorough approach to ensuring
workplace safety, every time we
hear of these tragic deaths we are
reminded how important it is to
take extra care. But wouldn’t it be
wonderful if we didn’t need these
IT’S AN ELECTRICIAN’S JOB TO
DO MORE THAN INSTALL A
PRODUCT OR PROVIDE A SERVICE
– PART OF THE ROLE IS TO ENSURE
THE ELECTRICAL SAFETY OF OUR
CUSTOMERS AND COLLEAGUES.
CLIPSAL BY SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
BRAND AMBASSADOR
REBECCA
MAIR
DISCUSSES WHY EDUCATION
AROUND ELECTRICAL SAFETY
SHOULD BE TOP OF MIND FOR
CONTRACTORS.
“As skilled electrical professionals, we have a moral responsibility to adopt ‘safety
first’ attitude across all aspects of our work, whether in domestic or commercial work
environments, large or small,” says Rebecca Mair.
BEC SPARKY