Brisbane company and manager fined

A Brisbane-based company N-Com Pty Ltd has been fined $35,000 and its company manager fined $5000 after directing unlicensed workers to conduct electrical work.

The company and manager Greg Thorley pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Industrial Magistrates Court on 24 February 2010 to breaching sections 27/30 and 199/56 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002.

The court heard that N-Com Pty Ltd provides equipment to the radio and television industry throughout Australia and New Guinea.

N-Com Pty Ltd was contracted to supply and install upgraded transmission facilities at a number of council sites throughout Queensland including Cunnamulla, Thargomindah, Eulo, Richmond and Shute Harbour.

The company purchased a number of pre-fabricated huts to house communication equipment.

Mr Thorley, as manager, directed unlicensed workers to conduct electrical work in the form of wiring pre-fabricated huts, installing switchboards, lighting and power circuits including socket outlets and lights. The electrical equipment installed at Thargomindah, Eulo and Cunnamulla was not electrically safe. Neither Mr Thorley nor N-Com Pty Ltd held an electrical contractor licence at the time.

The Industrial Magistrate took into account that the company and Mr Thorley cooperated with the Electrical Safety Office throughout the investigation, neither had previous convictions and both pleaded guilty.

In addition to the fine, the company was ordered to pay investigation costs of $3500 and $147 in court costs. Mr Thorley was also ordered to pay investigation costs of $1500 and $147 in court costs.

The prosecution was brought by the Queensland Electrical Safety Office, a part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

N-COM Pty Ltd had been charged pursuant to sections 27/30 and 56 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 (the Act) and Mr Thorley was charged pursuant to sections 199/27/30 and 199/56 of the Act.