Incident notification
What to do in an emergency
Emergency procedures for electrical incidents.
About electrical incidents
Electrical work is dangerous. Queenslanders die every year in electrical accidents.
But electrical safety reforms like the Electrical Safety Act 2002 are making a difference.
The Electrical Safety Plan for Queensland 2009-2014 complements the legislative reforms. It’s about reducing injury and death caused by electricity.
Five priority areas are being targeted to improve electrical safety:
- contact with electric lines
- incidents in dwellings mainly due to problems with fixed wiring, appliances or electrical cords
- incidents in workplaces, other than those specifically involved in the electrical industry
- incidents involving the electricity supply industry
- incidents involving the general electrical industry. This includes different categories of electrical work licences, restricted electrical workers and electrical contractors who conduct businesses involving electrical work including repairs.
Electrical inspectors play a key role in improving Queensland’s electrical safety.
Serious electrical incident
Section 11 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 defines a serious electrical incident as incidents caused by electricity resulting in death or shock or injury requiring medical treatment by a doctor.
Dangerous electrical event
Section 12 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002 defines dangerous electrical events as events involving electrical equipment causing significant property damage with unlicensed or unauthorised work or when unsafe activity or equipment is found.
A dangerous electrical event may arise when:
- a person is not electrically safe in a situation involving high voltage electrical equipment, regardless of whether a shock or injury is sustained
- someone does electrical work without a licence; unsafely or incorrectly
- equipment used for electrical work is faulty.
What to report and when
If a distribution entity is aware or is advised of a serious or dangerous electrical incident, it must be reported:
- in writing
- within 24 hours
- to the Chief Executive Officer, Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
If the incident involves a death immediate notification is required.
Action on advice of electric shock
If a consumer advises a distribution entity of a person getting an electrical shock the distribution entity must:
- ensure the scene is electrically safe to prevent further incidents
- complete the Electrical Incident Form within three days
- keep the incident report for five years.
The distribution entity must also investigate any consumer concerns about electrical safety of supply equipment.
Making safe versus disturbing the scene
An inspector or police officer will need to investigate the scene of a serious or dangerous electrical incident.
Nothing should be touched or moved, unless there is further risk to life or property damage.
Forms
An employer or self-employed person is responsible for completing and lodging the incident report form.
A copy of the form must be kept for three years.
Lodge the form within 24 hours of becoming aware of a dangerous electrical event or serious electrical incident.
If a death occurred, immediate notification is required. The form must then be lodged within 24 hours.
- Electrical Incident Form for Electrical Safety Office and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
- Incident report form