Fine for electrical worker after unsupervised apprentice receives shock

Building and Energy released the following statement:

An electrical apprentice was lucky to avoid serious injury after receiving an electric shock while working unsupervised on a live installation.

Failing to effectively supervise the work of electrical apprentices is an offence under WA’s Electricity Licensing Regulations.

The responsible electrical worker was fined $3,500 and ordered to pay $571 in costs after pleading guilty at Armadale Magistrates Court following prosecution by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety’s Building and Energy division.

Under the regulations, supervising electricians are required to ensure apprentices do not work on or near live electrical installations, unless they are in their final year of training and under direct supervision.

The court was told the electrical worker and two junior electrical apprentices under his supervision carried out electrical work at a Forrestdale site in March 2024.

The electrical worker directed the apprentices to conduct “live” tests on energised lighting circuits and he did not provide an appropriate level of supervision. The apprentices did not follow the required safety protocols, resulting in one trainee receiving an electric shock. Fortunately, the apprentice was not seriously injured.

In court on 5 June 2026, Magistrate Gavin MacLean noted the electrical worker’s early guilty plea, remorse and cooperation, but emphasised that “it is a dangerous industry” and “safety regimes are in place for a reason”.

Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety Deputy Director General, Phil Payne, said the apprentice was fortunate to have avoided a more serious or even fatal injury.
“The regulations explicitly state that effective supervision of electrical work is required to prevent danger to life and property,” Mr Payne said.

“In this instance, the apprentices should not have been working on a live installation at all, let alone without any appropriate supervision.

“This case serves as a reminder to all electrical contractors to ensure they have appropriate policies and practices in place and that their supervising electrical workers meet their responsibilities when working with electrical apprentices.”

Building and Energy’s “Safe working guidelines for electrical workers and apprentices” is available at wa.gov.au.