WorkSafe lays charges after worker received serious electrical shock on a job

TWO companies and a company director have been charged after an employee received a serious electrical shock while working on a job

NT WorkSafe has charged two New South Wales-based companies and a company director after a worker in Alice Springs received a serious electrical shock while on the job.

N T Estate Pty Ltd, Springs OpCo Pty Ltd and Megan Nott, a company director of the latter, have all been charged for breaching the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act.

The incident occurred on February 5, 2019, at an Alice Springs accommodation business.

The 43-year-old worker who suffered the shock was unable to work for several days after the incident.

MORE CENTRALIAN NEWS

Men charged over alleged hit-and-run death to face court this month

Potential future Alice mayors explain their plans to deal with crime

Tennant Creek man in critical condition following alleged DV assault

NT WorkSafe will allege workers at the now closed business regularly accessed the property’s mechanical services switchboard to reset circuit breakers and gas isolators.

It is alleged that the mechanical services switchboard, which was more than 30 years old, had exposed live parts and was extremely hazardous.

It is also alleged that, despite the hazard, the mechanical services switchboard was easy to access, and no effort was made to warn of, or prevent contact with, the live parts.

NT WorkSafe also alleges the workers were not trained or provided with information on how to safely reset the switchboard.

If found guilty, each company will face a maximum penalty of $1.5 million, while Megan Nott faces a maximum penalty of $300,000.

HOT NEW DEAL: Read everything for 28 days for just $1

The matter is listed for mention in the Alice Springs Local Court on March 10.