Company Convicted and Fined $70,000 for Hiring Unlicensed Electrical Contractor

Worker Sustained Serious Injuries While Attempting Work on a Panel

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - On July 24, ThyssenKrupp Industrial Services Canada Inc. was convicted in court of violating The Electricity Act by hiring an unlicensed individual to do electrical work.  The individual suffered very serious arc flash injuries while attempting to remove conductors from an electrical panel.   A fine of $70,000 was imposed which included $50,000 provided by ThyssenKrupp to The Electrical Safety Authority to be used for education about electrical safety.

In addition, ThyssenKrupp and a supervisor were charged by the Ministry of Labour for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act.  The Ministry of Labour investigation found that the electrical panel was not disconnected from the power source, nor locked out or tagged before the work started. The company and supervisor were convicted and an additional $171,000 in fines was levied.

"Companies and supervisors have a direct responsibility for those they hire to do electrical work and how the work is done," said Doug Crawford, Chief Public Safety Officer, The Electrical Safety Authority.  "In this case an unlicensed individual was hired and unsafe work procedures were used causing the individual to work live on an electrical system and suffer devastating injuries. Sadly, this case is typical of occupational electrical injuries in Ontario.  They tend to occur during repair or maintenance work and involve unsafe procedures -- often working live on a panel.  Decisions like these can have deadly consequences."

An arc flash occurs when electrical current moves through the air creating a fiery explosion.  A worker will be engulfed in a ball of flame in a split second and is also typically struck by molten metal shrapnel from exploding electrical equipment.   For more information and to see video of an arc flash, click here.

Section 3 of Ontario Regulation 570/05 pursuant to Section 113.2 (1) of the Electricity Act R.S.O. 1998 Ch. 15 requires any person operating an electrical contracting business to have an electrical contractor licence.  To find a listing of licensed electrical contractors in Ontario, go to www.esasafe.com.

The Electrical Safety Authority
The Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA) role is to enhance public electrical safety in Ontario. As a delegated administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario, ESA is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical products safety.   ESA works extensively with stakeholders throughout the province to educate, train, promote, and foster electrical safety.

SOURCE: Electrical Safety Authority

Nancy Evans
Electrical Safety Authority
905-712-7867
[email protected]