A Perth electrical contractor has been fined $40,000 for offences related to dangerous installations that left parts of a Koondoola property unprotected from potentially lethal voltages.
Reztech Electrical Services Pty Ltd (EC012956), based in Wattle Grove, was not represented at Perth Magistrates Court on 19 July 2024 when it was convicted for submitting inaccurate compliance paperwork and failing to provide documents to WA's electrical safety regulator, Building and Energy.
According to information presented in court, the owners of the subdivided property engaged Reztech to carry out electrical work including installing the site main switchboard, switchboard enclosures for each lot and related protective components.
Reztech later submitted a notice of completion to the network operator, Western Power, declaring the electrical work was complete, compliant with applicable legislation and safe based on compulsory checks and tests.
However, the court was told an inspection by Western Power revealed two key safety elements had not been installed - the multiple earthed neutral in the site main switchboard and an earth bond to a metal switchboard enclosure. Without these components, users could be at risk of electric shock because protective devices may not operate if an electrical fault occurs.
Delivering a notice of completion to a network operator for electrical work that does not comply with the Wiring Rules is an offence under WA's Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991. Reztech also breached the Energy Coordination Act 1994 by failing to comply with Building and Energy's requests for documents and records related to the project.
Magistrate Sarah Oliver ordered the company to pay $700 in costs and described its conduct as a "very serious offence", noting the importance of ensuring work is completed appropriately with proper compliance notices.
WA's Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said licensed electrical contractors must carry out their work to the high standards expected by the community and set out in law.
"It is unacceptable for this company to falsely declare its work was checked, tested and complied with the regulations. It obviously did not and people's lives were at risk," he said.
"This significant penalty should send a strong message to the electrical industry about ensuring your work is done right every time and producing documents when you are ordered to."
