Overhead Electrical Lines Risk: Safety and Risk Management

This report discusses the safety breaches that led to the death of a truck driver due to electrocution at a work site. It also highlights the role of Safework in resolving the issue and suggests safety measures to avoid such accidents.

Running Head: OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL LINES RISK 0
Safety and Risk Management
Overhead Electrical Lines Risk
Student Details
10/5/2018

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Executive Summary
Due to accidents in organizations or at workplace results in the decrease of value,
efficiency and productivity of the organizations. Studies show that in recent year’s hazards at
the work place have increased several times. Some accidents are as much serious that may
lead to the permanent disability or even death of the employees.
In 2012, a tip truck driver demised at the work site because of the electrocution. This report is
presenting the entire incident happened at the work site which resulted in the death of the
truck driver, safety breaches that caused the accident and the role of Safework to resolve the
issue.
Mr Booth, a 48-years old truck driver was electrocuted when he was delivering the
material at the work site located in Berry drive in March 2012. His truck’s tip came into the
contact of overhead electric lines while loading-off the material at one of the sites of Kennos
Contractors Pvt Lt. As it was one of the first incidents under new safety laws, the entire
investigation was carried by ACT (Australian Capital Territory). The construction company
was found guilty in the investigation, and the industrial magistrate fined $1.1 million on the
company which was one of the biggest penalties in the history.

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Contents
Executive Summary...................................................................................................................1
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Safety Breaches that Caused Incident........................................................................................4
Lack of Safety Arrangements.................................................................................................4
NO Warning Signs or Flags...................................................................................................5
Open Compound....................................................................................................................5
No Electricity Cut-off during Work.......................................................................................5
No Assistance.........................................................................................................................5
Poor Work Culture in Kennos................................................................................................6
Consequences on Kennos Contractors.......................................................................................6
Decrease in Productivity........................................................................................................6
Huge Penalty for Safety Breaching........................................................................................6
Market Value went down.......................................................................................................7
Safework Role in Resolving the Issue.......................................................................................7
Safety Measures needed to Avoid Accident..............................................................................8
Shift of Dumping Station to another Location.......................................................................9
Warning Signs at the work place...........................................................................................9
Turn off Lines during Work...................................................................................................9
Compound needed to be locked.............................................................................................9
A Spotter was needed.............................................................................................................9

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Steps needed to Eliminate or Reduce Electrical Risks.............................................................10
Electrical Risks Management...............................................................................................10
Conclusion................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................12

Overhead Electrical Lines Risk 4
Introduction
Hazards can be defined the potential to harm someone (Safety Line, 2018). Risks are
chances or likelihood of happening something that would have negative effects (Government
of Western Australia, 2018). Risk may result in illness, injury or even death of worker.
In March 2012, a 48-year old truck driver, Mr Michael Booth demised at the work site
when he was delivering the material. His tip truck struck into the overhead live electric lines,
and the electric arc was strong enough to flatten the tyres. Then electricity passed through the
truck to the earth. Mr Booth jumped outside from the truck and collapsed (Knaus, 2015).
Later he died at the work site. ACT investigated the entire case and found that the Kennos
Contractors did not follow the proper safety measures at the work site. Safety breaches by
company led to the death of Mr Booth. This was the first ever case of its type under new
safety laws (Taylor, 2015). ACT found guilty Kennos Contractors for safety breaches and the
construction company was fined $1.1 million. The maximum amount of penalty for safety
breaches is $1.5 million (Inman, 2015).
Safety Breaches that Caused Incident
ACT investigated the case under new safety laws for work under the direction of ACT
commissioner Mr McCabe. In his investigation he discovered that basic safety breaches
caused the death of Mr Booth (Byrne, 2015). Those Safety breaches are described below:
Lack of Safety Arrangements
Mr McCabe visited the accident site on the day of incident and he was shocked to see
that why this workplace is under such live low electric lines, as he told the court. He claimed

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that the accident could have avoided if the dumping site was changed to some other location
(Macdonald, 2015).
NO Warning Signs or Flags
Only company workers were warned and instructed not to work or go in the
compound. But there were no arrangements were made to warn the visitors. There had to be
some warning signs placed so that visitors got know about the danger (Byrne, 2015) or there
had been some warning flags or tiger tail attached to the wires that make them visible to
visitors and workers and warn them about their presence.
Open Compound
There was no maintenance at the work place. Mr Booth took the load to a compound
that was not locked or fenced off properly. It was managed poorly, as other things like piles
of materials and pipes were lying in bad conditions (Knaus, 2015). Compound was accessed
by anyone easily.
No Electricity Cut-off during Work
While Mr Booth was off-loading the material at the work site, it was not taken into
consideration that the overhead electric lines should have turned off (Knaus, 2015). It was the
responsibility of company to take care of all these safety measures. It could have saved Mr
Booth’s life.
No Assistance
When Mr Booth was dumping the material, there was no one to help him or to guide
him in dumping the material (Copper Grace Ward, 2015). He was alone doing the work. He
failed to notice the height of electric lines and his truck tipper came in contact with power

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line. This could have avoided if a spotter was there who warn the Mr Booth when he was
dumping off the material.
Poor Work Culture in Kennos
Magistrate Ms Walker mentioned in her comment that Kennos had poor work culture.
Safety officer of Kennos was not qualified enough for the role and he was appointed for this
job as because he is son of general manager (Inman, 2015). Kennos failed to provide
systematic and safe work place to workers.
Consequences on Kennos Contractors
Safe work investigation accused Kennos contractors and the general manger, Munir
al-Hasani for the death of truck driver, Mr Booth, who was dumping-off gravel type material
in the compound (Safety Culture, 2015). They were accused for safety breaches at the work
place. ACT presented both the Kennos Contractors and the general manger in the industrial
court under ACT. Industrial magistrate Ms Walker approved the case (Taylor, 2015).
List of consequence that company had to face after the incident is given below:
Decrease in Productivity
Kennos Contractors did not face any trial and went in liquidation (Macdonald, 2015).
General Manager alone faced the trials and represented himself by own. Company’s
productivity decreased as most of the time its officers were busy in the investigation and
court trials. It resulted in the liquidation of company.
Huge Penalty for Safety Breaching
Industrial magistrate said that the company did not show any regret on death of Mr
Booth and even tried to blame Mr Booth for own death. Investigation found Kennos

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Contractors guilty for safety breaches that led death of Mr Booth (2CC, 2015). A new safety
law has the probation of fining up to $1.5 million for safety breaches by the industry. Penalty
made by Ms Walker on Kennos contractor was $1.1 million which was one of the biggest
amounts in history (Taylor, 2015). This resulted company to go in liquidation.
Market Value went down
It was for the first time that a senior officer of a firm was indicted; thus the case was
distinctly viewed (Macdonald, 2015). Mishap occurred at the work site was a result of
absence of safety measures at the work site as portrayed by the Safework examination.
Examination demonstrated organization attempted to hold the investigation concerning the
Mr Booth demise (Byrne, 2015). It prompted the lessening in market value of Kennos
Contractors. It made a negative effect for the organization and the consequence of which is
that the organization is in liquidation currently.
Safework Role in Resolving the Issue
It was the first of its type case which was under the new national safety laws. ACT
investigated the entire case and trialled was done in the Act industrial court. Ms Lorraine
Walker was the industrial magistrate who heard the case and gave justice. ACT commissioner
Mr McCabe examined the case and made sure that justice would get done with all the
trustees.
Mr McCabe presented all the aspects in front of court that he visited the accident site
on the day of incident and derived that the even basic safety measures were taken, this
accident could have avoided. Basic safety measures like height of power lines was very low,
compound was not fenced or locked up properly. It seemed like it was designed for dumping

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the material. It is the most serious preventable accident, he said. Proper risk management
could have avoided the accident (Taylor, 2015).
Safety breaches were made by Kennos Contractors which led to the Mr Booth demise
at the work site, showed in the investigation of ACT. Site had no warning signs to warn the
visitors about the presence of electric lines despite of poor visibility of them. Although
workers of the company were warned and instructed about them but visitors like Mr Booth
had no idea of their presence and danger level of them (Byrne, 2015). And company did not
take this into consideration. Electric lines were not attached with tiger tails or warning flags
that could have told that electric lines are live. Also compound was not locked or fenced to
restrict the access and no spotter was present to help Mr Booth in dumping off the material.
Kennos Contractors tried to hinder the examination of ACT and also some of the
officers were found guilty in altering the attendance record of MR Booth, as found in the
ACT investigation (Taylor, 2015). Mr McCabe acknowledged the huge fine on Kennos
Contractors by saying this will convey a shock wave in the industry and a strong message to
the industries that they would also be accused criminally if safety breaches are made (Safety
Solutions, 2014)
Safety Measures needed to Avoid Accident
As the ACT commissioner mentioned that this was one of the most serious avoidable
accidents. If only basic safety measures were implemented, this accident was not happened.
Safe work Australia provided rules and code of practice to avoid these kinds of accidents.
Safe work Australia works for the improvement in work health and safety (Safe work
Australia, 2009).

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It is the responsibility of a person who is running a business to ensure the safety of his
workers. All the hazards related to the health and safety must be eliminated or reduced on
priority. Safety breaches at the work place led to Mr Booth’s death. Given below is the list of
safety measures that needed to be implemented to avoid that accident:
Shift of Dumping Station to another Location
Mr McCabe said in the court that he was shocked to see that why company had made
dumping station under such high voltage electric lines (Taylor, 2015). So if this basis safety
measure was implemented this could have saved Mr Booth’s life. Such accidents can be
eliminated by avoiding working in the vicinity of electric lines.
Warning Signs at the work place
Warning signs should be placed to make aware people about the risk in the area.
Warning signs like flags or tiger tails should be attached to the electric lines (The Sydney
Morning Herald, 2015). If proper warning symbol was present at the workplace, visitors like
Mr Booth got to know about danger there.
Turn off Lines during Work
When Mr Booth was dumping off the gravel type material at the work site it was
required to turn off the live electric lines. It made sure that if in case tip truck touches the
wires there would be no causality (Safe Work Australia, 2009).
Compound needed to be locked
Work compound was under high voltage low electric lines. Also the compound was
not maintained properly. Hence, it should be locked or fenced off properly to restrict the
entries into it (Knaus, 2015).

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A Spotter was needed
If a spotter was there to help Mr Booth, he would have warned Mr Booth about the
live electric lines and this accident had avoided. But there was no one to assist him, and he
was doing the work alone (Byrne, 2015).
Steps needed to Eliminate or Reduce Electrical Risks
Therefore, by following basic safety measures, these kinds of accident can be
avoided. Proper risk management is needed to implement in organizations and work places.
Risk Management involves basic three steps: Hazard identification, risk assessment and risk
control. Risk management ensures the health and safety of workers at the work place (HAS,
2018).
Electrical Risks Management
Following steps are needed to manage risks in the work place:
 Hazard Identification: An examination by safety officers of the company should be
done at the work place to identify the risks there (HSWA, 2017).
 Risk Assessment: Risk assessment is done after hazard identification. It includes what
risk would occur when exposed to hazard (HAS, 2018).
 Risk Control: Risk control measures needs to be implemented after identification of
hazard and risk assessment. There are certain ways of controlling risks (Fung, Tam,
Lo, 2010).
Frist priority should be elimination of risk. Electrical risks can be eliminated by de-
energising, isolation, re-routing and replacement of overhead power lines with underground
electric wires (HSWA, 2017).

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Substitution is on second priority, if the risk cannot be eliminated, these should be
substituted. Substitution involves using non-conductive instruments and instead of
mechanical devices use ultrasonic measuring devices (Safe Work Australia, 2009).
Third priority is given to Isolation in risk control procedures. It involves use of electrical
resistant barriers to restrict the danger zones (Safe Work Australia, 2009).
Next step in risk control is engineering controls. It makes use of mechanical stops for the
limitation of plant movement (HSE, 2018).
Next priority is given to Administrative controls. It includes using warning signs and
warning devices (Safe Work Australia, 2009).
Last and least priority is given to Personal protective equipment (PPE). It includes use of
insulating gloves, rubber soled boots, safety helmets (Safe Work Australia, 2009).
Conclusion
Therefore, it is clear from the above discussion that the accident took place at the
work site of Kennos contractors due to the lack of security measures at the work place in
Berry Drive in March, 2012. In this accident a 48-year old truck driver, Mr Booth
electrocuted while he was delivering material on work site (Taylor, 2015). Australian Capital
Territory (ACT) Safework examined the entire case under the ACT commissioner Mr
McCabe. It was found in the investigation that Kennos Contractors did not implement proper
safety measures at the work place that led the death of Mr Booth. It was one of the first of its
type accident under the new safety laws for the industries. Industrial magistrate Ms Walker
approved case against Kennos Contractors and general manager of Kennos Contractors
(Inman, 2015). Later general manger managed to clear charges against him as prosecution
failed to prove that he had enough power to control or influence company’s decisions as an

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officer. Kennos contractors were fined by industrial magistrate Ms Walker, a fine of $1.1
million for safety breaches at the work place. Mr McCabe said it is an appropriate level of
fine. Industry will get a strong message from this that they would also be liable criminally for
safety breaches at the work place (Byrne, 2015).

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References
Byrne, E. (2015, February 23). Canberra truck driver electrocuted because contractor failed
to provide safe workplace, court told. Retrieved from:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-23/turner-truck-driver-electrocuted-unsafe-
workplace-court-hears/6220392
Byrne, E. (2015, February 24). Canberra foreman denies lying over company report into
truck driver Michael Booth's death. Retrieved from:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-24/foreman-denies-lying-over-involvement-in-
company-report/6256630
Copper Grace Ward. (2015). Contractor fined $1.1 million for truck driver’s electrocution
death. Retrieved from: https://www.cgw.com.au/publication/contractor-fined-1-1-
million-for-truck-drivers-electrocution-death/
Fung, I. W., Tam, V. W., Lo, T. Y., & Lu, L. L. (2010). Developing a risk assessment model
for construction safety. International Journal of Project Management, 28(6), 593-600.
Government of Western Australia. (2018). What is a hazard and what is risk?. Retrieved
from: http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Safety/What-is-a-hazard-and-what-is-4721.aspx
HAS. (2018). Risk Assessment. Retrieved from:
https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Safety_and_Health_Ma
nagement/Section%202%20Risk%20Assessment.pdf
HSE. (2018). Management of risk when planning work: The right priorities. Retrieved from:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/lwit/assets/downloads/hierarchy-risk-controls.pdf

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HSWA. (2017). Identifying, assessing and managing work risks. Retrieved from:
https://worksafe.govt.nz/.../839-identifying-assessing-and-managing-work-risks
Inman, M. (2015 August 19). Kenoss Contractors fined $1.1 million for workplace death.
Retrieved from: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/kenoss-contractors-
fined-11-million-for-workplace-death-20150819-gj2fra.html
Knaus, C. (2015, February 24). Kenoss blamed electrocuted driver for own death, despite
alleged safety breaches. Retrieved from:
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/kenoss-blamed-electrocuted-driver-
for-own-death-despite-alleged-safety-breaches-20150224-13n72i.html
Knaus, C. (2015, June 23). Project manager cleared in Kenoss electrocution death case.
Retrieved from: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/project-manager-
cleared-in-kenoss-electrocution-death-case-20150623-ghvduo.html
Macdonald, E. (2015 June 02). ACT workplace death case the first to charge manager.
Retrieved from: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/act-workplace-death-
case-the-first-to-charge-manager-20140602-zrvc5.html
Safety Culture. (2015). Canberra construction company fined over workplace death.
Retrieved from: http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/08/canberra-
construction-company-fined-workplace-death/#.W7hWhmgzbIV
Safety Line. (2018). Are you aware of these 6 types of workplace hazards?. Retrieved from:
https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/workplace-hazards/
Safety Solutions. (2014). First prosecution case of an officer under WHS laws. Retrieved
from: https://www.safetysolutions.net.au/content/business/article/first-prosecution-
case-of-an-officer-under-whs-laws-554903669

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Safe Work Australia. (2009). MANAGING ELECTRICAL RISKS IN THE WORKPLACE:
Code of Practice. Retrieved from:
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1705/mcop-managing-
electrical-risks_in_the_workplace-v3.pdf
Taylor, G. (2015, August 19). Canberra construction company fined $1.1 million over death
of truck driver. Retrieved from: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-19/construction-
company-fined-1-million-over-workplace-death/6708032
The Sydney Morning Herald. (2015). Kenoss project manager accused over workplace
fatality gives evidence. Retrieved from: https://www.smh.com.au/national/act/kenoss-
project-manager-accused-over-workplace-fatality-gives-evidence-20150227-
13r2v4.html
2CC. (2015). Canberra construction company fined $1.1 million over workplace death.
Retrieved from: http://www.2cc.net.au/localnews/3848-canberra-construction-
company-fined-1-1-million-over-workplace-death.html