SafeWork SA in electric shock injury crackdown amid alarm that businesses are failing to report dangerous incidents

SafeWork SA has launched a new crackdown on industries after a surge in the number of electric shock injuries.

More than one South Australian worker is electrocuted each day, sparking a new crackdown from an alarmed work and safety watchdog especially on failures to report dangerous power cases.

Official figures show 375 electric shock injuries were ­notified to SafeWork SA between October last year and September 2024.

At least half of the injuries involved construction. High rates also occurred at manufacturing, accommodation and food services businesses as well as healthcare facilities.

One serious construction electrocution is under further investigation, which authorities declined to comment on.

Glenn Farrell said an electric shock was a matter of life and death. Picture: SafeWork SA

Master Builders SA CEO Will Frogley said the rise in shocks was concerning. Picture: Russell Millard

The surge has triggered a new crackdown after inspectors found almost a third of businesses failed to adequately report dangerous incidents.

Businesses are warned inspectors “will be taking stronger compliance” against failures to report or preserve scenes.

Of 331 electric shocks defined as a notifiable dangerous incident, 201 were reported within a mandatory 24 hours.

Such failures can be prosecuted with fines of up to $50,000 for a body corporate and $10,000 for an individual, for each offence.

SafeWork SA executive director Glenn Farrell, who has already launched a crackdown on apprentice safety, said electric shocks can “literally be the difference between life and death”.

“The number of electric shocks to workers is concerning as is the time it is taking for businesses to notify SafeWork SA,” he said.

He said reporting was vital to help identify causes.

Under state work health and safety law, an electric shock is a notifiable dangerous incident if it exposes a worker to serious risks, injury or results in death.

Almost 430 electric shocks were notified last year.

Master Builders SA chief executive officer, Will Frogley, said: “We’re really concerned with the number of reported electric shocks – particularly in our industry”.

“We always encourage our members to hold regular toolbox talks and refresher courses to identify electrical hazards and dangers.”