Electricity notifiable accidents
[ Last Updated 20 January 2010 ]
This is the list of the 7 Electricity notifiable accidents for which the investigation was completed between April and June 2009.
1 - Event summary: A man has been found dead at the scene of the accident, underneath his service line power cables.
| Event ID |
081230 01 |
| Event date |
30/12/2008 |
| Site |
Domesticl |
| Environment |
Outside (Above Ground) |
| Voltage |
230 |
| Equipment |
Sander |
| Event |
Other/Unknown (Electrical) |
| Casualty |
Fatality |
| Injury |
Shock |
| Property damage level |
No property damage |
| Outcome if investigation |
A homeowner was using a portable electrical sander. He was working on the barge board close to the overhead mains in the vicinity of the entry point of the mains to the house. It is likely that he may have contacted the mains and received a fatal electric shock but this has not been confirmed. |
2 - Event summary: The pins on a night light pushed back into the internal printed circuit board when it was being plugged into a socket outlet. Audit of compliance documentation and basis of safety was scheduled.
| Event ID |
090213 01 |
| Event date |
12/02/2009 |
| Site |
Domestic |
| Environment |
Building |
| Voltage |
230 |
| Equipment |
Appliances |
| Event |
Other/Unknown (Electrical) |
| casualty |
No casualty |
| Injury |
No injury |
| Property damage level |
No property damage |
| Outcome of investigation |
Other lights were looked at but no issues were found, further audits will be carried out on this type of light. |
3 - Event summary: A transmission cable came down on a house causing damage to the roof and electrical installation.
| Event ID |
090216 01 |
| Event date |
13/02/2009 |
| Site |
Works or Distribution |
| Environment |
Outside (Above Ground) |
| Voltage |
220000 |
| Equipment |
Overhead lines |
| Event |
Other/Unknown (Electrical) |
| Casualty |
No casualty |
| Injury |
No injury |
| Property damage level |
Restricted to the direct vicinity of the equipment |
| Outcome of investigation |
A power line joint failed as a result of failure to correctly assemble joint prior to crimping. The company has tested all joints in the circuit and has not found any other suspect joints. |
4 - Event summary: A home owner received an electric shock from a cordless kettle when making tea.
| Event ID |
090420 01 |
| Event date |
08/04/2009 |
| Site |
Domestic |
| Environment |
Building |
| Voltage |
230 |
| Equipment |
Liquid heating; Kettles; Urns |
| Event |
Electrical Shock |
| Casualty |
No casualty |
| Injury |
No injury |
| Property damage level |
No property damage |
| Outcome of investigation |
The electric kettle had all the approval documents for safety, the kettle was not available for inspection so the cause of the shock could not be determined. The company who sold the kettle did not follow the normal procedure when dealing with a safety issue and have re trained the person responsible. |
5 - Event summary: While the victim was attempting to connect a foreign type cell phone charger with incompatible plug pins, that required the use of an illegal travel adaptor into a New Zealand socket outlet, the travel adaptor came apart exposing live parts that resulting in the victim receiving an electric shock.
| Event ID |
090428 04 |
| Event date |
28/04/2009 |
| Site |
Commercial |
| Environment |
Building |
| Voltage |
230 |
| Equipment |
Appliances |
| Event |
Electrical Shock |
| Casualty |
Injury |
| Injury |
Shock |
| Property damage level |
No property damage |
| Outcome of investigation |
Following sale of a new mobile phone from an internet based supplier, an electric shock was received by a clerical worker, who had direct contact with live parts of a foreign travel adaptor, supplied with the new mobile phone and charger. The travel adaptor fell apart whilst being connected to a socket outlet under a desk. The phone charger was not intended for use in NZ and was non compliant with the Electricity Regulations; likewise the Travel adaptor supplied was non compliant with the Electricity Regulations, including those in respect to unsafe electrical fittings and appliances. This was referred to Energy Safety Compliance officer, with a recommendation for prosecution. |
6 - Event summary: Energy Safety was notified by a network contractor with regards to a home owner receiving a minor electric shock from thier external metallic meter board.
| Event ID: |
090518 07 |
| Event date |
16/05/2009 |
| Site |
Domestic |
| Environment |
Building |
| Voltage |
400 |
| Equipment |
Overhead lines |
| Event |
Electrical Shock |
| Casualty |
No casualty |
| Injury |
No injury |
| Property damage level |
No property damage |
| Outcome of investigation |
The network contractor sent a faultman to the premise after receiving notice of a fault where the home owner had received an electric shock, after investigating the power problems, on an external metallic meter board. The faultman found a broken neutral connection on the network side of the line and made repairs. |
7 - Event summary: A power line came down during a storm and touched a wire fence. A member of the public received an electric shock as he touched the fence.
| Event ID |
090527 01 |
| Event date |
16/05/2009 |
| Site |
Commercial |
| Environment |
Outside (Above Ground) |
| Voltage |
400 |
| Equipment |
Overhead lines |
| Event |
Electrical Shock |
| Casualty |
Injury |
| Injury |
Shock |
| Property damage level |
No property damage |
| Outcome of investigation |
The line fell down during a storm and contacted a wire fence. The power company supplied details of maintenance for the lines which complied with regulations. |
Back to Top