Fatality of Electrical Welder on 23 March 2011

The Electrical Safety Office (ESO) and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) are investigating a serious electrical incident which occurred in Townsville on Wednesday 16 March 2011, resulting in the subsequent death of a worker on Wednesday 23 March 2011.

Initial findings indicate that while performing arc welding work on a hopper the worker came in contact with the welding electrode while sitting on an earthed metal structure. The worker at the time was working in a hot and humid environment.

The purpose of this alert is to remind employers, workers and others that all parts of welding circuits, including electrodes, hand pieces and work return paths, must be considered electrically alive. Anyone involved in the welding process needs to ensure that no part of their body is placed in such a position that would complete a conductive path for the passage of electric current and therefore posing the risk of electric shock.

A risk assessment must always be undertaken before commencing electric welding work and appropriate risk treatment measures adopted and monitored.  Special consideration should be given to appropriate risk treatment measures where a hot, humid work environment is present. Electrical safety information specific to welders can be sourced from the Australian Standards AS 1674.2-2007 and AS 60974 series.

Peter Lamont
Executive Director
Electrical Safety Office