EnergySafety investigates electrocution fatality

West Australian energy industry technical and safety regulator EnergySafety is working with police to investigate the death of a 73-year-old man who recently died at Erskine, WA, in early January from an electric shock.

The man is believed to have been using a portable electric drill with the casing of the plug-top of the drill’s flexible electric lead at least partly removed. It appears the man inadvertently touched an exposed live terminal, resulting in a fatal electric shock.

Electrical inspectors investigating the circumstances have established that the electric drill was plugged into a socket outlet that was not protected by a residual current device (RCD), commonly known as a Safety Switch.

“This incident highlights the importance of these safety devices, which protect socket outlets and prevent persons from receiving an electric shock,” said Albert Koenig, Director of Energy Safety. “Had an RCD been installed in this instance, it may well have prevented the person receiving an electric shock.

“The incident also highlights that electrical appliances and equipment, especially cords and plugs, need to be visually checked by users to ensure they are safe to use.”